A guide to living and working in Schenectady; birthplace of technology, home of innovation, and destination for those who seek a quality of life unique to upstate New York.
Schenectady County
Life in Upstate New York
Presented by
welcome
Welcome to Schenectady County—a great place to work, live and raise a family. Born in the spirit of discovery, Schenectady blazed new trails in electricity, transportation and technology. Here, the Erie Canal provided a way west, Thomas Edison founded the General Electric Company, Schenectady’s American Locomotive Works moved our nation forward. And it is here that Schenectady is creating new opportunities in research, technology and innovation for future trailblazers.
This guide is the product of a unique partnership between The Chamber of Schenectady, Schenectady County and GE. In its pages we welcome you to discover our county, its neighborhoods and schools, its qualities of life, and its vision.
Business & Employment....................12 Communities.........................................14 Education...............................................22 Arts & Culture.......................................34 Sports & Recreation.............................42 Health & Family....................................48 Birth of Broadcasting..........................56 Quick Guide...........................................58
Published in partnership by the Chamber of Schenectady County, Schenectady County and GE.
inside
Tech Valley.............................................. 6
there’s only one
Schenectady
Union College’s Nott Memorial
Few areas of the country offer better lifestyles than Schenectady County. Our architecture and landmarks highlight three centuries of community. Scenic farmsteads, manicured suburban communities and bustling urban streets are just minutes from work and play. Along our streets, you’ll find homes of every type in diverse neighborhoods served by top-ranked schools, scenic parks and recreation areas. Our region enjoys a true four-season New England climate with scenery to match. Rolling hills, woods and farmlands paint the landscapes surrounding our towns and villages. Minutes away are majestic mountains and lakes, skiing and horse racing, museums and outlet shopping. A center for the arts, Schenectady is home to legendary Proctors Theatre and the ElectriCity Arts District, celebrating the best live theatre, dance, music and comedy, history and art. Surrounding our downtown are the distinct communities which reflect our rich diversity of cultures and lifestyles. And we are a growing county. The newest Schenectadians comprise a skilled and educated workforce from all walks of business and technology who are discovering for themselves all that Schenectady County has to offer.
techvalley Welcome
to
Tech
Valley,
birthplace of new technology and
scientific
innovation
for
more than a century. Our history is overshadowed only by our future prospects as forward-thinking firms continue to find a home here. Tech Valley stretches from the Canadian border near Montreal to just north of New York City, with Schenectady County at its heart. The region offers globally recognized educational and research facilities and is drawing the finest minds and most innovative firms to its landscape. Here, ambitious careers are fueled and
6
arts & culture
technology-driven industries break new ground.
arts & culture
7
te
ch
ey l l a v Home of international companies including GE and IBM, Tech Valley also boasts thousands of small- to mid-size companies. At the core of its growth are six industries: nanotechnology, biotechnology, advanced materials, alternative energy, homeland security and information technology.
T
ech Valley is a hub of IT activity. Five business incuba-
The buildings and homes used in the program will produce energy
tors are focused on technology including the region’s
to meet their own power needs and send excess power to the grid.
largest, the Rensselaer Incubator Center at RPI, which helped launch MapInfo (now Pitney Bowes Software), a software company
The Center for Future Energy Systems recently opened at Rensse-
that employs more than 900 employees worldwide and had sales
laer as one of the newest Centers for Advanced Technology. CFES
of more than $165 million in 2006.
will focus on fuel cells and the hydrogen economy; energy
New York scored well with the number of biotech incubators (in-
efficiency through smart
cluding East Campus at SUNY in Rensselaer) and research parks,
lighting and smart dis-
life sciences research and development expenditures, and number
plays, and renewable
of biological scientists in the workforce. Tech Valley companies,
energy
including Starfire Systems and Crystal IS, are pioneering new prod-
such as solar, wind
ucts and material systems for industries such as semiconductor,
and biomass.
systems
aerospace, electronics and transportation. The Tech Valley The energy industry in Tech Valley is heating up and will only
Chamber
get hotter. Innovative technologies that will significantly impact
tion is a group of
the energy markets are emerging from companies such as Super-
24
Power, Plug Power and GE Energy.
Commerce
Chambers
tech valley
throughout
8
Coaliof
located the
19
GE Global Research is developing an advanced hydrogen electro-
counties that make up
lyzer that could make it possible to economically produce hydro-
Tech Valley. Formed in
gen from water. The project won Popular Mechanics’ 2006 Break-
June 2002, the TVCC is the
through Award. GE Global Research is also involved in a multi-year
major economic development group
program that will focus on utilizing renewable energy technologies
for the region. The Chambers represent more than 21,000 busi-
such as solar power as well as advanced electrical distribution to
nesses, schools and organizations that employ more than 531,000
develop energy efficient residential and commercial communities.
workers.
Within Reach Schenectady County is roughly 20 minutes from Albany, our state capital, which sits at the crossroads of the Northeast. It is easily accessible by car, train and plane and less than a three-hour drive from New York City, Boston and Montreal. Albany International Airport is serviced by most major carriers and provides daily nonstop flights to and from locations on the East Coast. Amtrak provides daily trains to and from New York City, Montreal, Buffalo and Boston. All of these destinations are easy day trips from the region:
Albany to:
Mileage:
Drive Time:
Boston
165
3 hours
Buffalo
294
5 hours
Lake George
60
1 hour
Lake Placid
162
2.5 hours
Montreal
235
4 hours
New York City
151
3 hours
Niagara Falls
312
5.5 hours
Philadelphia
228
4 hours
Regional Sports and Recreation Albany has been home to the Superbowl XLII Champion New York Giants Summer Training Camp since 1996. The preseason camp has averaged more than 30,000 fans per summer every year. The Tri-City ValleyCats, a Single-A farm team for the Houston Astros, plays its home games at Joe Bruno Stadium on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. The Times Union Center in downtown Albany plays host to the
The Original Tech Valley
A
s a research and testing home for our greatest technology pioneers—Edison, Marconi, Tesla, Steinmetz and Westing-
Albany Conquest Arena Football Team and the Albany River Rats,
house—Schenectady might be called the original Tech Valley.
an American Hockey League farm team for the Carolina Hurricanes
Here, the first practical radio transmission system was devel-
and the Colorado Avalanche.
oped. In our laboratories, cloud seeding, man-made lightning
The Siena Saints basketball team reached the second round of the
and artificial diamonds were born.
NCAA finals in 2008, and the UAlbany Great Danes were winners
Schenectady is the birthplace of General Electric, Westinghouse
of the America East Tournament Championship in both 2006 and
and American Locomotive, and is home to the first television
2007 and participated in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
station, WRGB.
Local ECAC hockey teams such as Union and RPI are highly talented and share a fierce rivalry.
Schenectady pioneered talking motion pictures, laser diodes and locomotive manufacturing, and launched the nation’s first scheduled train service; between Schenectady and Albany. We
since 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind
are the birthplace of streetcars, the electric subway car and
in the United States. For six weeks each summer Saratoga explodes
the modern elevator. In 1908 we developed the first motor for
with activity surrounding events such as the Travers Stakes.
ship propulsion.
Our region is also home to some of the most scenic golf courses in
It’s no surprise, then, that Schenectady still has the most pat-
the country, and is within an hour’s drive of world-class ski resorts
ent holders per capita of any city in the world. We are a county
in four surrounding mountain ranges. There are bike trails, hiking,
of innovators.
9
fishing and recreational facilities for people of all ages.
tech valley
Saratoga Springs has been famous for its thoroughbred horse racing
Sch'dy Chamber Ad [9.5 x 5.75].pPage 1 9/5/2008 10:11:14 AM
CHOSEN BUILDER FOR
Sundays 8/7c on ABC
Gain More Time
for Liv ing
Value...
... A Home You Always Wanted
Saratoga County CLIFTON PARK Addison Estates Single Family Estate Homes From the upper $300’s
CLIFTON PARK Southwick Meadows Elegant Single Family Homes From the high $200’s Tour Designer Model Home CLIFTON PARK Brookhaven Distinctive Single Family Homes From the mid $300’s STILLWATER - Saratoga Lake Stillwater Woods Prestigious Single Family Homes From the low $400’s Model Home Coming Soon!
Albany County
ALBANY Greyledge Estates Maintenance Free Townhomes From the low $300’s Tour Two Designer Model Homes ALBANY - Coming Soon! Reserve at Whitehall Point Maintenance Free Condominiums From the upper $100’s NEW SCOTLAND - Coming Soon! Colonie Country Club Prestigious Single Family Homes From the low $400’s NORTH COLONIE - Coming Soon! Park Side Estates Distinctive Single Family Homes From the low $300’s
We offer a wide range of financial services, in a progressive atmosphere, while maintaining the personal touch you would expect from a neighbor.
tech valley
AMSTERDAM Wallins Corners Maintenance Free Condominiums From the mid $100’s Tour Two Designer Model Homes
Warren County QUEENSBURY Turnberry Maintenance Free Condominiums From the upper $100’s Tour Two Designer Model Homes QUEENSBURY Townhomes At Havilands Maintenance Free Townhomes From the high $200’s Tour Designer Model Home
amedorehomes.com
Welcome to Your Credit Union
10
Montgomery County
Mortgages fast and easy pre-approval, competitive fixed and variable rates, terms up to 30 years FREE First OnLine internet banking with FREE Bill Pay e-statements go green, get your statement online FREE Call 24 automated telephone teller FREE Checking no minimum balance, no monthly service charge FREE VISA Check Card access your checking account at millions of locations MEMBERS Financial Services maximize your assets... we’ll help you plan your future with money management and retirement planning services Performance Plus Lending your good credit history rewards you with the best loan rates! FREE Automatic Loan Payments FREE Direct Deposit Seven convenient locations with 24 hour ATMs
Never Settle for less
Arts and Entertainment The Times Union Center in downtown Albany is a popular arts and entertainment venue. It is host to world-renowned performing artists, regional and national sporting events, trade shows, and special events of all kinds. Other venues within the Capital Region include community theaters, art galleries and the prestigious Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Each summer, SPAC hosts the New York City Ballet, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and superior chamber, jazz, rock and pop music, along with the Saratoga Wine & Food Festival. The region is also home to cultural institutions including the New York State Museum, Schenectady Museum and Suits-Bueche Planetarium, National Museums of Racing and Dance, the Hyde Collection, the National Baseball Hall of Fame in nearby Cooperstown, and the Albany Institute of History and Art.
Tech Valley Demos at a glance Total population (2006 estimate): 2,292,293 Population growth 2000-2006: 3.9% High school graduates or higher: 82.9% Enrolled in college or graduate school (2000): 133,566 Median household income (2006): $52,725 Per capita personal income (2005): $29,580 Total personal income (2005): $65,022,452 Civilian labor force (May 2008): 1,153,300 Unemployment rate (May 2008): 5.2% Ethnicity Caucasian: 88.5% Black or African American: 6.2% Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 4.9% Asian: 1.5% American Indian: 0.4% Population, median household income and demographic data are based on U.S. Census Bureau reports. Personal income figures are from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Labor information provided by the NYS Department of Labor.
Top 10 Employers in the Region: 1. The State of New York 2. General Electric 3. United States Government 4. Golub Corporation (Price Chopper) 5. Albany Medical Center
7. Verizon Communications 8. Albany County 9. Northeast Health
11
10. Stewart’s Ice Cream
tech valley
6. St. Peter’s Health Care Services
business an
d
oymen l p t em Small businesses and corporate giants stand shoulder to shoulder in Schenectady County, where you can pursue career choices in health care and education, defense and security, communications, advanced manufacturing or alternative energy.
Employment Resources
Top Employers in The County General Electric (Energy and Research)
Capital Area Help Wanted
SI Group (Chemical Development & Research)
www.capitalareahelpwanted.com
Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (Atomic Power Research)
The Employment Guide www.albany.employmentguide.com
Golub Corporation (Supermarket Chain and Distribution) Ellis Hospital (Medical Facility) Stratton Air National Guard Base (Military Installation)
New York State Job Exchange
12
business & employment
www.americasjobexchange.com/NY
MVP Health Care (Health care Insurance Provider) Union College (Higher Education Institution)
The Daily Gazette
Schenectady County (Local Government)
www.dailygazette.com
City of Schenectady (Local Government)
Times Union
Top Employment Categories
www.timesunion.com/jobs
Ranked by number of employees
The Saratogian jobs.saratogian.com
Tech Valley www.techvalleycareers.org
10,787 Health Care and Social Assistance 8,174
Local Government
7,840
Retail Trade
6,160 Professional and Technical Services 5,641
Manufacturing
Craig’s List
3,903
Hospitals
www.albany.craigslist.org
3,457
Accommodation and Food Services
3,321
Food Services and Drinking Places
2,654
Construction
2,503
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
Chamber of Schenectady County www.schenectadychamber.org
Schenectady County Community Business Center The
Schenectady
County
Community
Business Center (SCCBC) is Schenectady County’s one-stop small business resource center. The programs of the SCCBC are intended to serve the broad range of needs for both new and existing businesses, their owners and managers. SCCBC programs and services are tailored to offer assistance to potential business owners who may just be learning about how to start a business, as well as to those growing existing businesses or to those who may be struggling with challenges in their businesses. Most services are provided free-of-charge to the business people and residents of Schenectady County. SCCBC also maintains a mixed-use and small business resource facility offering both office space and space for light manufacturing. www.sccbc.org
NEW HOME. NEW LIFE. NEW ESTATE PLAN.
Creating new chapters in life stories since 1991.
Elder, Tax & Business Law • Estate Planning • Wealth Preservation
13
29 British American Boulevard • Latham, New York 12110 • P: (518) 869-6227 • F: (518) 869-0572 • www.lavelleandfinn.com
business & employment
LAVELLE & FINN, LLP
14
arts & culture
Communities
arts & culture
15
com
es i t i un m From cozy cottages and capes to historic brownstones, lazy farmhouses to suburban streetscapes, Schenectady County offers attractive, livable communities for every taste with an almost endless variety of housing styles.
Sponsored by
Y
ou’ll find almost every style of architecture here, quiet neighborhoods, good schools and places of worship, and the finest
health care in the upstate region. Our communities offer privacy
though it is one of the region’s most densely populated townships, much green space has been preserved in this popular upscale community’s 14 square miles.
and security, short transits with easy access to major thoroughfares, and a quality of life seldom offered in actively expanding
Niskayuna is home to the GE Global Research Center, the Knolls
regions.
Atomic Power Laboratory, Environment One, the SI Group Headquar-
City Of Schenectady At the hub of our county lies the City of Schenectady, a patchwork of historic neighborhoods and shopping districts, each with its own unique personality. From the Historic Realty Plot’s stately mansions to colonial-era Stockade homes, the cityscape provides almost every type of urban architecture you can imagine. Bungalows, cottages and railroad flats are reminiscent of the working class that grew our city in the first half of the last century, while more eclectic architecture points to the innovation and creativity that followed. In recent years a dynamic, revitalized downtown has seen $15 million in improvements, historical façade renovations and new construction, hotels, restaurants and quaint shops.
16
communities
www.cityofschenectady.com
Town Of Niskayuna A largely residential community consisting of single-family homes, interspersed with a smaller number of apartments, town homes and condos, Niskayuna–Iroquois for “land of tall corn”– was settled in 1640. It sits in the northeast corner of the County, bounded on the west by the City, on the south by the Town of Colonie and, across the Mohawk River, by Clifton Park on the north and east. Al-
ters, and the world’s first TV station, WRGB, now CBS 6. www.niskayuna.org
Town Of Rotterdam Toward the southern border of the city proper lies the Town of Rotterdam and hamlets of Rotterdam Junction, South Schenectady, and Pattersonville. A thriving community, it is home to agricultural, industrial, and commercial businesses, with quiet residential pockets throughout the township served by eight neighborhood parks, Rotterdam and Carman Little League baseball, Rotterdam Babe Ruth and Girls’ Softball. The oldest house in the Mohawk Valley, the Jan Mabee homestead
in
Rotterdam
Junction, is more than 300 years old. A working farm, it is a living museum, hosting hundreds of school groups annually as well as historical reenactments. www.rotterdamny.org
Town Of Glenville Across the Mohawk River from the City of Schenectady to the north and west lies the Town of Glenville, a quiet community of suburban and rural homes, minutes from the city’s hub. East Glenville is a cluster of denser development along Route 50 in the northeastern section of town. Commonly referred to as the Town Center, Stoodley Corners marks Glenville’s commercial center at the intersection of Route 50 and Glenridge Road. West Glenville, a small hamlet in the northwestern portion of town, was settled in the early 1800s. www.townofglenville.org
New york’s first historic district One of the oldest and best preserved neighborhoods in the U.S. with roots dating back to a 17th century Dutch colonial trading settlement, New York state’s first historic district is one of the few places in this country where a thriving residential community has occupied the same site for more than 300 years. See homes from the early 1700s, the Schenectady Coun-
Village Of Scotia
ty Historical Society Museum, Riverside Park and The Stock-
In the 1650s, Alexander Lindsey Glen bought from the Iroquois
Area Visitor Center located at the Schenectady Museum.
Indians a plot of land along the shore of the Mohawk River. He named his estate Scotia in memory of the Scottish hills of his native country. Located within the town of Glenville, the Village of Scotia was not incorporated until 1904.
the river from downtown Schenectady via the Western
Gateway
Bridge
will
bring you to Mohawk Avenue, the village’s main thoroughfare,
To find out more, contact: Schenectady Heritage Area Visitors Center 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady 518.382.7890
17
featuring a neighborhood cinema,
www.historicstockade.com
communities
Today, a short hop across
ade Inn. Free walking tour maps are available at the Heritage
www.CBprime.com PRIME PROPERTIES
Relocation Experts for Schenectady County... � � � �
Area Orientation Home Buying Specialists Rental Assistance Mortgage Financing
� � �
Concierge Services Moving Services International Expertise ... and more!
18
communities
We have helped hundreds of families move to Schenectady...Let us help you!
Call us today at 800-456-7839 ext. 4025 or email relocation@cbpp.com
Coldwell Banker Prime Properties Principal Network Broker
restaurants, shopping, and a quaint village library, all surrounded by tidy cottages, homes and apartments. Local landmark Jumpin’ Jack’s drive-in diner hugs the river’s edge alongside spacious Collins Park, a popular destination. Freedom Park offers free concerts in the summer. www.villageofscotia.org
Town Of Duanesburg The Town of Duanesburg was settled in the early 1700s and remains a centrally located rural community for the tri-city region of Schenectady, Albany and Troy, with nearby shopping on Routes 7 and 20. Farmsteads, hamlets and villages dot the landscape, and include the Village of Delanson, the larger hamlets of Quaker Street and Mariaville and the small hamlet of Eatons Corners. Here you’ll find architectural styles including pre-Federal, Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne and Colonial Revival. The Town is home to 643 buildings identified as historic by New York state and 15 natural sites of interest. www.duanesburg.net
Your money needs a new home, too. When you get here, we’re ready. New job. New city. New home. It all can be overwhelming. But it’s good to know there’s a bank right here that’s ready to help you safely transition your finances. At KeyBank, you’ll have a dedicated representative smoothing the way ahead of you. KeyBank, with over $100 billion in assets and more than a century of experience, provides one-on-one financial advice and a broad range of products tailored to the on-the-move professional.
For a personal consultation, call Anthony Lanzillo, Senior Vice President, at 518-257-8598, or e-mail anthony_lanzillo@keybank.com. Visit key.com/techvalley for more information.
Key.com is a federally registered service mark of KeyCorp. ©2008 KeyCorp. Credit products are subject to credit approval. KeyBank is Member FDIC.
]
communities
[
• Savings and checking with online banking and bill pay, so you won’t miss a single payment during your move • Mortgages, loans, and lines of credit, for the necessary and unexpected expenses that life changes often bring • Financial, estate, and trust planning services through integrated private banking • IRAs, CDs, and more, for one-stop banking convenience solutions
19
Town of Princetown Neighbor to Duanesburg, the Town of Princetown lies west of the City of Schenectady and borders Montgomery County to the north and Albany County to the south. Colorfully named hamlets such as Braman’s Corners, Rynex Corners and Kelly’s Station populate this hilltown with homes in many architectural styles and extraordinarily beautiful farmlands and countryside. www.princetown.net
Village Of Delanson In the southeast corner of the Town of Duanesburg lies the Village of Delanson, a rural patch of rolling hills and farmland between Routes 7 and 20. Once called Toad Hollow, it served as a territorial business center before becoming a stop for the Delaware and Hudson Railroad and attracting a working blend of German, Irish, English, Italian, Dutch, Polish, French, Russian, Scottish and native Iroquois. The name itself comes from the Delaware and Hudson Railroads. Now a bedroom community, it offers a pastoral existence minutes from the city of Schenectady. www.delanson.net
We’re the one that does it better.
communities
capcomfcu.org (518) 458-2195 • (800) 468-5500
20
Visit our Niskayuna Branch today at 582 Balltown Road
If you’re having trouble telling one bank or credit union from another, try our brand of better banking.
Albany • Clifton Park • Cohoes • Colonie • Glenmont • Latham • Niskayuna • North Greenbush • Waterford
The
DePaul Housing Management
Sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
DePaul Housing Management operates award-winning communities for seniors in Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Rensselaer, and Delaware Counties. Our beautifullymaintained and professionallymanaged housing spans the spectrum from affordable apartments to full service retirement living. Our Schenectady County Communities:
The Realty Plot Historic District
C
reated in 1899 when General Electric purchased a plot of land in the middle of Schenectady from
Father Leo O’Brien Senior Community 3151 Marra Lane Schenectady, NY 12303 Tel: (518) 357-4424 The Lawrence Commons 2660 Albany Street Schenectady, NY 12304 Tel: (518) 393-2412
alty Plot contains historic homes among 10 tree-lined
When making your plans for a new home include a visit to our website, or call today :
streets, in a wonderful variety of architectural styles
www.depaulhousing.com
Union College to build homes for its employees, the Re-
from the turn of the century.
(518) 459-0183
RENTERS GUIDE
®
Welcomes You to Historic Schenectady! DONʼT MOVE!!! without
THE RENTERS GUIDE® Whether your needs are for a short-term furnished apartment or a new apartment to call home, The Renters Guide is the areaʼs most complete source for apartment community information. Featuring detailed information (photos, directions, maps) on over 125 Apartment Communities in the Upstate Capital District area
CALL TODAY
(518)456-6626
for your FREE copy or visit us on the Web at
RentersGuideAlbany.com
Georgian and Colonial Revival are predominant designs, and there are good examples of Queen Anne, Shingle and Mission styles. A ravine, 30 feet deep and 100 feet across with a stream, cuts through the center of the
1475 BALLTOWN ROAD NISKAYUNA, NY 12309 (518) 393-1100
area. Four arched bridges, constructed of Duanesburg blue stone, span the ravine. The Realty Plot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Pick up a free walking tour map at the Schenectady Heritage Area Visitors Center in the Schenectady Museum. www.realtyplot.org
FOR SALE
9 CLIFTON COUNTRY ROAD CLIFTON PARK, NY 12065 (518) 373-8600
“THE CAPITAL REGION’S PREMIER REALTOR”
communities
21
PROUDLY SERVING THE CAPITAL REGION’S HOME BUYER’S AND SELLER’S SINCE 1954 WWW.VERONICAWLYNCH.COM
arts & culture
22
tech valley
education
education regions in the nation. More than 40 colleges and universities dot our region with fields of study including
23
high-tech, engineering, business, medicine and law.
arts & culture
Forbes has ranked Tech Valley as one of the top three
ed u
n o i t a c Schenectady County’s public schools offer unparalleled opportunity for students and families. Interscholastic sports, the arts, technology, college prep and vocations are all supported with our children’s personal growth at the center of the process. Sponsored by
Duanesburg Central School District dcs.neric.org One elementary school, one high school.
offer a more personalized and friendly atmosphere with focus on academic interests. Smaller Learning Communities include the Thomas Edison School of Math Science and Technology, the John Say-
Duanesburg schools serve a close-knit community of 5000 people
les School of Fine Arts, the
and about 60 square miles. A four-year high school with a current
School of Global Commerce,
enrollment of 340 students in grades 9-12 offers about 100 dif-
the GE Scholars School of
ferent courses. Ranked in the top ten percent of Capital District
Humanities and Culture
Schools by the Business Review, Duanesburg is also rated a School
and the Career Center at
of Distinction for academic achievement and cost effectiveness
Steinmetz.
by Standard & Poors, and a Capital Region School of Character by SAGE Academy of Character Education.
Schenectady is the only school in the area to offer
Schenectady City School District www.schenectady.k12.ny.us 15 elementary schools, three middle schools and one high school.
the International Baccalaureate program, a rigorous pre-university academic program designed for very IB Diploma commands
12. The district includes 15 elementary schools, an early child-
international recognition
hood education center, three middle schools, one high school, a
and is acknowledged course
career center and an adult education center. The student body
credit at many colleges and
enjoys rich diversity, sharing more than 30 different languages
universities.
education
motivated students. The
urban school system serving 10,000 students in grades Pre-K to
including Spanish, Pashto and Farsi. Hundreds of extra-curricular
Schenectady High School’s 2,700 students can choose from five
array of University in the High
24
The Schenectady City School District is a national award-winning
Smaller Learning Communities or “schools within schools,” which
School courses which are conduct-
options serve most every student interest, including 70 competi-
Schenectady High School also
tive team sports for grades 7-12.
offers eight Advanced Placement (AP) courses and an
ed under the auspices of Schenectady County Community College and UAlbany. Students who successfully complete UHS courses receive a college transcript showing completion of the semester hours of college credit.
Niskayuna Central School District www.niskyschools.org One high school, two middle schools and four elementary schools. Niskayuna High offers a comprehensive program rich with advanced placement courses as well as “Project Lead The Way,” a pre-engineering program. A digital television and media production facility is being built at the high school, and the Writers in Residence program brings professional authors and poets to work side by side with students and teachers. At the middle school level, students can participate in TV production at WIRO, Iroquois Middle School’s TV station, and in a podcasting studio at Van Antwerp Middle School. Many students contribute art, stories and poems to the award-winning middle school literary magazine, Middle Ground. In 2008, students won the New York State Middle School Science Bowl for the fourth year. The music program brings professional conductors and performers to share the stage with student musicians. The visual arts program is recognized statewide, and the high school’s Nisk-Art gallery is
Rotterdam-Mohonasen Independent Central School District www.mohonasen.org Two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school.
among the nation’s largest. Mohonasen schools are among the top-performers in the region. Niskayuna’s percentage of nationally board certified educators is
This Suburban Council school district serves 3,200 students in K-12
one of the highest in the nation, and many of the faculty serve as
from the towns of Rotterdam, Colonie and Guilderland. Bradt and
adjunct college professors at area universities.
Pinewood Schools are K-5, Draper Middle School is grades 6-8, and
education
25
Welcome New GE Employees! (stop in to your Credit Union and find out what life with interest is all about.) Sunmark is proud of our long history of serving GE, its employees and our community. We welcome all new GE Employees and look forward to serving your financial needs. New Em ployees
FRE
get your
with any E GIFT a or saving new checking s account ! See any Sunm ar
0ffer good w
866-SUNMARK • sunmarkfcu.org
k Repr hile supplies esentative for details. last. Limit on e per membe r
LIFE
WITH
INTEREST
Exceptional master’s level education in business, healthcare management, engineering, secondary education, and bioethics
Part-time programs designed to meet the needs of working professionals
26
education
www.uniongraduatecollege.edu
Conveniently located on the Union College Campus
Erin Callahan callahae@uniongraduatecollege.edu 518.388.8754
Mohonasen High School serves students in grades 9-12. A staff of 250 are supported by six academic administrators and eight principals. Underway is a $21.9 million capital project for upgrades to the district’s four schools. Students are actively involved in many music and theater performance groups, including the Mohon Masque Theatre Group, and about 40 percent of students are involved in at least one interscholastic sport.
Schalmont Independent Central School District www.schalmont.org Three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Schalmont serves 2,075 students from the towns of Rotterdam, Princetown, Guilderland, and Duanesburg. Grades 9-12 attend Schalmont High School, grades 6-8 attend Schalmont Middle School, and K-5 students attend one of three elementary schools: Jefferson, Mariaville, and Woestina. Academics are at the heart of the curriculum, but Schalmont students also pursue a variety of extracurricular programs, including the Schalmont Math and Science Summer Academy. Schalmont has produced many Section II Class B championship athletic teams, award-winning musicians, accomplished artists, and community volunteers.
emphasizes
reading,
writing
and
mathematics while nurturing creative thought, critical thinking and expression through art, music,
Scotia-Glenville Independent Central School District www.scotiaglenvilleschools.org Four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. District boundaries encompass the village of Scotia and town of Glenville, offering a variety of village, suburban and rural living. Over the past 60 years as a school district, teachers and staff at Scotia-Glenville have stressed a solid, traditional education that
technology, and physical education. The district also offers excellent second language, business education, home economics, industrial arts, vocational and special education programs. Students are able to reach beyond the school walls through Distance Learning, just one example of Scotia-Glenville’s commitment to technology. Nearly 90 percent of each graduating class attends college. In ad-
education
27
dition to a wide offering of local honors courses, hundreds of students take college-level courses through Advanced Placement and Schenectady County Community College, graduating from high school with college credits. Scotia-Glenville students do well in regional and national competitions, ranging from the GE Global Research Science Bowl and the renowned Music Festivals to the creative Odyssey of the Mind program and National NewsCurrents Political Cartoon Contest. The Capital District Business Review recently ranked Scotia-Glenville as the 19th top area district out of 85 local school districts. The district also ranked 11th in a separate ranking of mathematics scores at grades 4, 8 and Regents. Scotia-Glenville was also named as a “high performing/gap closing school district” by the state Education Department in June 2007. Locally, only three other school districts received the same recognition. The recognition means that Scotia-Glenville met all applicable state standards on English language arts and mathematics standardized tests. Community service has long been a tradition at Scotia-Glenville. Hundreds of Scotia-Glenville’s nearly 3,000 students, from elementary to high school, are routinely involved in giving back to the community through a myriad of programs at school.
Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake Central School District www.bhbl.org Three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District serves about 3,500 pupils in northern Schenectady County and southern Saratoga County, including large portions of the towns of Glenville and Ballston, plus smaller portions of Charlton and Clifton Park. BH-BL is consistently one of the highest performing school districts in New York’s Capital Region, with 90% of seniors attending college, 93% earning a state Regents or Advanced Regents diploma, and an annual dropout rate of only 1% to 1.5%. Our five schools have achieved an enviable record of pupil performance, staff accountability, and program efficiency. These accomplishments are a reflection of students who are intelligent and willing to work hard, parents who value education and urge their children to excel, and a community that demands outstanding schools. A comprehensive curriculum covers life skills, technology, business, the arts, and career internships, in addition to traditional academics. The high school offers 32 college-credit-bearing courses and, thanks to a special three-year Science Research course, more
education
semi-finalists (four in the past seven years) than in any other Capi-
28
BH-BL pupils have been named National Intel Science Competition
fered to all pupils, and before- and after-school day care is available for
tal Region high school. Active Parent-Teacher Associations serve the district’s high school, middle school, and three elementary schools. Bus transportation is ofelementary pupils through a cooperative arrangement with the YMCA.
Schenectady County Public Libraries
T
he Schenectady County Public Library is the Central Library of the Mohawk Valley Library System and provides services
to residents of Schenectady County. Its mission is to satisfy our community’s educational informational, cultural and recreational needs by providing free and open access to a comprehensive range of materials, services and programs. Schenectady County Public Library System www.scpl.org
Woodlawn Branch 2 Sanford Street 518.386.2248
Central Branch 99 Clinton Street 518.388.4500
Glenville Branch 20 Glenridge Road 518.386.2243
Duane Branch 1331 State Street 518.386.2242
Scotia Branch 14 Mohawk Avenue 518.386.2247
Hamilton Hill Branch 700 Craig Street 518.386.2244
Niskayuna Branch 2400 Nott Street East 518.386.2249
Mont Pleasant Branch 1026 Crane Street 518.386.2245
Quaker Street Branch Bull Street & Route 7 518.895.2719
Rotterdam Branch 1100 N. Westcott Road 518.356.3440
Regional Libraries And Research Centers Our region is also home to many research and specialty libraries. The Capital District Library Council boasts many members, including public, college, medical and specialty libraries. The Grems-Doolittle Library Known for its genealogical research, is housed at the Schenectady County Historical Society. 32 Washington Avenue, Schenectady 518.374.0263 www.schist.org Capital District Library Council 28 Essex Street, Albany 518.438.2500 www.cdlc.org
education
29
New York State Library Cultural Education Center, Albany, New York 12230. The State Research Library Established in 1818, the State Research Library collects, preserves and makes available materials that support state government work. The Library’s collections, now numbering over 20 million items, may also be used by other researchers on-site, online and via interlibrary loan. The Talking Book and Braille Library Lends Braille and recorded books and magazines and related equipment to residents of 55 upstate counties of New York State who are unable to read printed materials because of a visual or physical disability. 518.474.5355 www.nysl.nysed.gov
Private Schools Schenectady Christian School www.schenectadychristian.org Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School www.nd-bg.org St. Helen’s School www.sainthelens.net St. John the Evangelist www.rcdaschools.org St. Madeleine Sophie School www.st-madeleine-sophie.org Montessori School of Schenectady www.montessorischoolofschenectady.org Brown School www.brownschool.org River Run Community Montessori www.riverrunmontessori.org
Schenectady County Colleges And Universities Ellis Hospital School of Nursing 1101 Nott Street, Schenectady The Ellis Hospital School of Nursing prepares men and women for licensure as a registered professional nurse. The program is registered by the New York State Education Department jointly with Schenectady County Community College. This hospital-based school awards an associate in science degree in nursing conferred by the Ellis Hospital Board of Trustees. www.ehson.org
30
education
Schenectady County Community College 78 Washington Avenue, Schenectady As part of the State University of New York (SUNY), Schenectady County Community College offers high-quality academic programs, broad access for students and responsiveness to community needs. It offers 41 transfer degree, career degree and certificate programs. www.sunysccc.edu Union College 807 Union Street, Schenectady Founded in 1795, the first college chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York, Union is an independent, liberal arts college. Union offers nearly 1,000 courses in the humanities, the social sciences, the sciences, and engineering. The College’s 100-acre campus includes eight acres of formal gardens and woodland known as Jackson’s Garden. The first buildings were completed in 1814 following the design of French architect Joseph Jacques Rame; Union is the first American college
with a unified campus plan. The distinctive campus centerpiece, the 16-sided Nott Memorial (1875), is a National Historic Landmark and a center for lectures, conferences, exhibits and study. www.union.edu Union Graduate College 807 Union Street, Schenectady Union Graduate College is a graduate-only institution, dedicated to providing exceptional master’s level education in business, health care management, secondary education, engineering, and clinical leadership and bioethics. www.uniongraduatecollege.edu
Regional Colleges And Universities Albany College of Pharmacy www.acp.edu Albany Law School www.albanylaw.edu Albany Medical College www.amc.edu Bryant & Stratton College www.bryantstratton.edu The College of St. Rose www.strose.edu Empire State College www.esc.edu
Excelsior College www.excelsior.edu Hudson Valley Community College www.hvcc.edu ITT Technical Institute www.itt-tech.edu Maria College www.mariacollege.edu Memorial Hospital School of Nursing www.nehealth.com Mildred Elley College www.mildred-elley.edu New School of Radio & Television www.nsrt.org Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute www.rpi.edu The Sage Colleges www.sage.edu Skidmore College www.skidmore.edu Siena College www.siena.edu University at Albany www.albany.edu T:2.3 in
We Offer Short and Long Term Rentals
We didn’t invent money. We just help you do more with it. T:5.75 in
First Niagara welcomes you to Schenectady with branches in Bellevue, Rotterdam, Glenville, State Street and Union Street.
ing Everyth are of taken c e! can be e phon over th
p, et-u nd S ge ry a r e a v h li C De xtra No E
High Definition. It’s in our DNA.
Rotterdam • 518-357-2338 Hannaford Plaza 1400 Altamont Ave.
MEMBER FDIC
rentacenter.com
Or Your Money Back!
Schenectady • 518-372-8415 Next to Family Dollar 1491 State St.
Product availability may vary by store. *RAC’s “Worry-Free Guarantee” includes (1) Matching Any Local Rent-To-Own Business’s Advertised Price (competing advertised price must be for similar payment, delivery and product service terms for in-stock new merchandise on the same brand and model), (2) Delivery, Set-Up and Service (delivery and set-up are included and RAC services and maintains the merchandise while on rent), (3) Money Back Guarantee must be exercised within your first week of possession to receive either merchandise replacement or a refund and (4) Payment Protection (re-rent the same or comparable item you returned and pick up where you left you’re your payments). See Store Manager for complete details. Consulta con el Gerente de la Tienda para los detalles completos. 19797-8_RP0808L28
31
1-800-877-7758
100% Satisfaction
education
Worry-Free GUARANTEE
With a population of over 28,000, located in the southwestern part of Schenectady County, and bordered by the Mohawk River to the north, Rotterdam was incorporated in 1820. Our town was founded by Dutch Settlers who named it after their home port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Major state and federal highways run through Rotterdam, including I‐88, I‐90, I‐890, and State Routes 5S and 7. Travel along Route 5S and you’ll appreciate wonderful views of the historic Erie Canal, Mohawk River and the charming hamlets of Pattersonville & Rotterdam Junction.
y & Schalmont Central Schools, , Served by Mohonasen Rotterdam is comprised of some of the most desirable neighborhoods in the Capital District. Our town has much to offer through our numerous town civic associations and youth leagues. Also, the Senior Center hosts many classes, events, concerts, & trips throughout the year.
32
communities
Just minutes from General Electric, hundreds of small businesses and corporations are located here offering excellent job opportunities and an outstanding quality of life.
Town of Rotterdam 1100 Sunrise Blvd. Rotterdam, NY 12306 518‐355‐7575
www.rotterdamny.org
Go shopping at Rotterdam Square Mall, or patronize businesses & restaurants along Altamont Avenue, Hamburg Street, & 5 Corners and you’ll Avenue, Hamburg Street, & 5 Corners and you ll find our town motto says it all.
“Rotterdam is a Nice Place to Live”
For more information 518-688-1001 or info@discoverunionsquare.com www.discoverunionsquare.com
33
*This advertisement is not an offering. No offering can be made until an offering plan is filed with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Renderings are artist concepts.
communities
LIVE DO W NT WORK OW PLAY N
& culture
arts
Schenectady is known throughout the region for its unique cultural venues and offerings. The County is home to historic Proctors Theatre, a resident ballet and symphony orchestra, two community theaters, 15 movie screens, art galleries, museums and numerous historic sites including the Stockade, New York state’s oldest historic district. When people seek entertainment, they look first to
34
arts & culture
Schenectady.
arts & culture
35
1
art s
&
ure t l u c Schenectady is home to its own resident
a “Stockade Soirée” Origin
ballet and symphony orchestra, film and live theater venues, the new GE Theatre featuring giant Extreme Screen Iwerks motion pictures, and the glorious Proctors
l ar
main stage, a restored 1926 Vaudeville
rk two
theatre.
by a Fr nk
lm Gi
or e
B
e entertained. See an endless array of performances throughout our arts district, including shows direct from Broadway,
international ballet and opera, and nationally known performers. Catch a play at the Schenectady Civic Players, or just up the street at the Schenectady Light Opera Company. Our numerous movie screens, art galleries, special events, museums and historic sites will keep your calendar filled.
Edison Exploratorium 112 Erie Boulevard, Schenectady Celebrating and promoting the historic and physical development of engineering technology—much of which was originated, developed and produced in Schenectady. 518.372.8425 www.edisonexploratorium.org
Empire State Aerosciences Museum
36
arts & culture
250 Rudy Chase Drive, Glenville New York state’s aviation history soars here! ESAM presents aviation history from the pioneer era to the jet age, with a focus on New York state. The Museum features two galleries, a hall of fame, an art gallery, research library, airpark and flight simulator. 518.377.2191 www.esam.org
Hamilton Hill Arts Center 409 Schenectady Street, Schenectady This Cultural Arts Center is the only one of its kind in the region, with changing exhibits of works by talented minority artists. 518.346.1262 www.hamiltonhillartscenter.org
Heritage Area Visitor Center Located at the Schenectady Museum
Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady Features exhibits that emphasize the history of Schenectady and its importance to the electrical and railway industries. 518.382.7890 www.cityofschenectady.com
Mabee Farm Historic Site 1080 Main Street, Rotterdam Junction The oldest house in the Mohawk Valley (built in the last quarter of the 17th Century). The main farm house, the adjacent inn and the brick house have retained many original characteristics of early Dutch and French Huguenot settlers, with few design alterations. Also on the site are the Mabee CemeteryJ40
with graves dating back to the 1700s, a blacksmith shop, English style barn, carpenters workshop and a carriage shed. 518.887.5073 www.mabeefarm.org
Mandeville Gallery Union College, Union Street, Schenectady The Mandeville Gallery on the second floor of the Nott Memorial presents art, science, and history exhibitions throughout the year. The gallery is dedicated to exhibiting contemporary artists; addressing college, regional, national and international history; and exploring links between the arts and sciences. Past exhibitions include Norman Rockwell at the Nott; Lessons for Humanity Holocaust Exhibition; Into Focus; Arts on Science; Separate and Together Wolf Kahn and Emily Mason; and A Monument of Progress— The 175th Anniversary of the Erie Canal. The gallery is free and open to the public. 518.388.8394 www.union.edu/gallery
Schenectady County Historical Society Museum 32 Washington Avenue, Schenectady The museum is housed in the Dora Jackson House, which was built in 1895. The three-storied building is in the Federal and Greek Revival style and is filled with an impressive collection of lovely antique furniture, paintings, china and glass. Be sure to see the doll
house on the second floor, built in 1834 by Joseph Yates, once Governor of New York, for Susan Watkins. The museum houses three floors of original 18th century furniture, paintings, costumes, toys, household and military items. Also home to the Grems Doolittle Library for genealogy. 518.374.0263 www.schist.org
Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady The region’s Science and Technology Museum offers the area’s only interactive planetarium, and provides hands-on education programs for children and adults. It includes exhibits that showcase technology and science history, and maintains an internationally regarded archive of electrical history which contains one of the largest photograph collections in the United States. The museum also maintains a nature preserve and is home to one of the city’s finest gift shops 518.382.7890 www.schenectadymuseum.org
THEATER Proctors 432 State Street, Schenectady See feature on page 39 518.382.3884 www.proctors.org
Schenectady Civic Players
Welcome to Schenectady! While we’re proud of our roots, established over 70 years ago as the credit union for New York State employees, today there are over 1,000 ways to join SEFCU. If you’re reading this, you can probably join! Visit www.sefcu.com, stop by any branch, or call 518-452-8183 to find out. • Really Free Checking with no minimum balance required • No more per-check charges • No monthly service charges
• Free online banking • Free SEFCU Visa® Check Card • Great loan rates • Convenient neighborhood branches
• Earn Preferred Points for free electronics, gift certificates, and more with every Visa® Check and Credit Card purchase • Real friendly people!
37
Albany (Arbor Hill, Empire State Plaza, One Commerce, Patroon Creek, S. Pearl Street, State Street, University at Albany Campus Center, Wolf Road) • Clifton Park • East Greenbush • Glenmont • Glenville • Guilderland • Latham • Schenectady (Albany Street, Broadway) • Schodack • Slingerlands • Troy (Hoosick Road,Vandenburgh Ave.) • Wilton
arts & culture
We’ll get you there.
12 South Church Street, Schenectady The oldest continually performing theater group in the Capital Region captures hearts and minds as they perform a well-balanced mix of professional-quality theater. 518.382.2081 www.civicplayers.org
Schenectady Light Opera Company 826 State Street, Schenectady The Schenectady Light Opera Company is a nonprofit community theater organization dedicated to the presentation of amateur theater productions. They have presented more than 200 quality theatrical productions. Visit them now in their 260-seat theatre. 518.393.5732 www.sloctheater.org
Cinema Movieland 400 State Street, Schenectady Six screens, stadium seating, Dolby digital sound.
518.372.7500 www.bowtiecinemas.com
Loews Rotterdam Square Rotterdam Square Mall, Rotterdam Six screens, access through Rotterdam Square 518.374.2403 www.enjoytheshow.com
Scotia Cinema
38
arts & culture
117 Mohawk Avenue, Scotia Single screen, Independent sub-run films 518.346.5055 www.scotiacinema.net
Proctors Theatre State Street, Downtown Schenectady
T
he undisputed jewel of Schenectady’s Arts District is Proctors, a magnificent example of the golden era of theatre architec-
ture. This 1926 vaudeville palace, once threatened by the wrecker’s ball, was saved by concerned citizens in 1979 and restored to its original glory as a national treasure. Located at the heart of downtown Schenectady, the palatial 2700seat venue presents a year-round program of world-class singers, comedians, electrifying dance programs, opera and symphony orchestras and Broadway Shows. Built for vaudeville impresario F. F. Proctor and designed by famed theater architect Thomas W. Lamb, the theater cost $1.5 million to build and opened on December 27, 1926, with a screening of “Stranded in Paris,” a silent film starring Bebe Daniels. Today, in addition to theatrical productions, Proctors is home to the Schenectady Symphony and the Northeast Ballet, and features performances by the Empire State Youth Orchestra and Chorus. It also boasts one of the largest movie screens in the state for screenings of classic and new film.
photo by Randell Perry
In 2003, Proctors embarked on an exciting new $30 million expansion, completed in 2007. A new stage house now accommodates the largest touring Broadway shows including Phantom of the Opera, which recently drew 77,000 visitors to the theatre. A new comedy series, small plays and musical events were also added to create a more diverse facility with cultural offerings for every audience. Under the same roof, the new GE Theatre houses an Iwerks Extreme Screen system. The Iwerks system projects 2D and 3D films of unsurpassed size, clarity, and impact onto a giant 50- by 37-foot screen. The visual experience is supported by a powerful surround-sound system which also serves the GE Theatre’s use as a performance space for music, comedy and drama. The Theatre is also the centerpiece of conferencing at Proctors, where companies and organizations are inspired by the creative environment. Schenectady’s arts district radiates many blocks from the Proctors marquee. Adjacent to the theatre is 440 State, a former Odd Fellows hall, now restored as a mixed use arts facility housing Myers Studio, Northeast
arts & culture
Ballet, a working gallery and arts classes for nearby Schenectady County Community College, and Upstairs at 440, a 100-seat vintage theater space recently rediscovered and revitalized as an intimate live theatre for dance recitals, cabaret performances and a new series of intimate, regionally-exclusive theatre performances. The third Friday of every month, local business open their doors to year-round event.
photo by Randell Perry
39
host and display the works of area artists at Art Night, a popular
an
nts e v e l a u n Whatever the weekend, there’s something special happening in Schenectady; special history, sports, music and film. Turn a corner, any corner, and discover the events that make Schenectady’s neighborhoods special.
Art Night Schenectady
Farmers’ Markets
Third Friday of every month 5-9 p.m. Downtown Schenectady Area artists, performers, sculptors, jewelers and potters display their work in downtown galleries and businesses. Free Trolley. 518.372.5656 www.artnightschenectady.com
Held year-round in various locations throughout the county. Purchase locally-grown fresh produce, flowers and products. www.schenectadycounty.com
Colonial Reenactment May, Mabee Farm A reenactment of a Revolutionary War battle by more than 100 reenactors, costumed colonial settlers and demonstrations of colonial crafts. 518.877.5073 www.mabeefarm.org
Freedom Park Concert Series June-August Schonowee Avenue, Scotia Enjoy free summer concerts and children’s programs along the banks of the Mohawk River. 518.372.5656 www.freedomparkscotia.org
Cruisin’ on the Avenue Father’s Day, Mohawk Avenue, Scotia A day-long celebration of classic cars and family fun. www.visitscotia.com
40
arts & culture
US Water Ski Show Team Tuesday evenings in July and August, Jumpin’ Jack’s, Schonowee Avenue & Route 5, Scotia If you’re looking for a unique way to spend a summer’s evening, then come visit Schenectady’s best-kept secret, performing professional level water ski shows on the Mohawk River in beautiful Scotia. Conveniently located at Jumpin’ Jack’s Drive In, shows are held every Tuesday with practice sessions held most weekday evenings. Experience beauty, grace, thrills and raw power as the team performs one amazing act after another. Pyramids, barefoot skiing, ballet, ski jumping and more. www.uswaterskishowteam.com
Kids’ Arts Fest June, Jay Street, Schenectady Continuous family entertainment. Toddler and children’s arts activities, refreshments. www.sayschenectady.org
Jazz on Jay June-August, Noon-1:30 p.m. Enjoy free lunchtime concerts on Jay Street at State. 518.372.5656
Little Italy Street Fest September Little Italy, North Jay Street, Schenectady An authentic festival celebrating Italian culture and heritage with sumptuous food, vendors, and entertainment. 518.382.5147
Stockade Villagers Art Show September – Stockade Historic District This annual juried art show displays fine paintings and sculpture by more than 125 participating artists from Northeast. www.historicstockade.com
St. George Greek Festival September – Liberty Street, Schenectady You don’t have to be Greek to enjoy live entertainment, delicious homemade Greek specialties, dancing and crafts. 518.382.5147 www.stgeorge.ny.goarch.org
Stockade Walkabout and Waterfront Faire September – Stockade Historic District Explore the oldest historic district in New York State, with tours of private homes and historic places, children’s activities, crafts, carriage rides, entertainment and, of course, food. 518.372.5656 www.stockadewalkabout.com
Stockade-a-thon November This classic 15K race has been held annually for more than 25 years. The course winds through the Stockade Historic district in all its late autumn glory. More than 1,000 participants from throughout New York State and Western New England compete. www.hmrrc.com
we celebrate the Holidays Here Holiday on the Avenue December, Mohawk Avenue, Scotia The entire village turns out to celebrate the holiday season with this event, including shopping, entertainment, games, food and family fun. www.visitscotia.com
Magic and Melodies December State & Jay Streets, Schenectady Holiday carolers, woodcarvings, crafts, carriage rides and tree lighting are highlights of this holiday offering. 518.377.9430 www.downtownschenectady.com
The Gazette Holiday Parade Saturday before Thanksgiving, Downtown Schenectady Long regarded as the biggest night-time parade in the northeast, this family tradition has been bringing Schenectady families out to greet the holiday season since 1969. Nearly 40,000 people turn out each year to enjoy marching bands, lighted floats, and a personal appearance by Santa Claus! 518.372.5656
Melodies of Christmas December This musical extravaganza, featuring the Empire State Youth Orchestra, has raised more than $5 million for charitable causes in its 28-year history. 518.346.6204 www.proctors.org
Summer Night Third Friday in July State Street & Jay Street, Schenectady A downtown festival with three stages of entertainment options, refreshments, vendors, crafts and fireworks! 518.388.4379 www.schenectadycounty.com
Main Street, Rotterdam Junction Enjoy this Native American Cultural Center, situated on two acres along the Mohawk River. Small museum, gift shop, nature trails, education center. 518.887.2590
arts & culture
Keepers of the Circle
41
42
arts & culture
& recreation
sports
Schenectady County is just minutes from worlds of recreation, adventure and exercise among the mountains, waterways and woodlands of upstate New York, and our robust four-season climate offers almost every activity under the sun. World-class ski resorts, crystal lakes and rivers, breathtaking mountain trails and scenic bike paths are all within easy reach.
arts & culture
43
spo rts
&
a t e i r on c e r Winter brings ice fishing, snowmobiling and endless ski trails within a short drive. Spring offers nearby hunting and fishing, picnicking and spacious parks. Summer sun worshipers will find endless fun at our region’s lakes and amusement parks, and nostalgic family fun is a sure bet at our neighboring county fairs.
Boating
Golf
The waterways of New York state were once our major transportation routes, so it’s no wonder boating has endured as a popular pastime. Boaters enjoy access to the New York Canal System, the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers, and hundreds of lakes within a short drive of Schenectady. Sportsmen can challenge themselves with kayaking, canoeing and competitive rowing, while recreational boaters can choose to spend their hours enjoying everything from dinner cruises to motor boating. Springtime brings white water rafting in the Adirondack and Catskill mountain streams, followed by the calmer waters of summer—just right for a lazy day of fishing and picnicking in the mountains.
Schenectady is home to six (five public) golf courses, and the Capital Region boasts 89 in all within an hour’s drive of Schenectady.
Bicycling The Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail provides a unique
44
sports & recreation
recreational resource—a long, off-road paved bicycle path— unavailable in most parts of the country. All non-motorized uses such as walking/running, bicycling, and in-line skating are permitted. The trail begins within the hamlet of Pattersonville in the Town of Rotterdam and travels eastward to the Erastus Corning Riverfront Preserve in downtown Albany. Built during the late 1970s and early 1980s, the trail was constructed directly upon the old Erie Canal towpath and former railroad grades of the area’s first transportation routes. At approximately 35 miles in length, the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail is one of the longest paved rail-trails in the United States. www.cdtcmpo.com
Briar Creek Golf Course Pangburn Road, Rotterdam 18-hole golf course, putting green, golf carts. 518.355.6145
Hillcrest Golf Course Giffords Church Road, Schenectady Par 37, 9-hole golf course. 518.355.9817 Mohawk Golf Club 1849 Union Street, Schenectady Par 71, 18-hole golf course, driving range, putting green, golf carts. Spikeless. 518.374.9124 www.mohawkgolfclub.com Schenectady Municipal Golf Course 400 Oregon Avenue, Schenectady Par 72, 18-hole golf course. Driving range, putting green, golf carts, spikeless. Restaurant. 518.382.5153 www.schenectadygolf.com Stadium Golf Club 333 Jackson Avenue, Schenectady Par 71, 18-hole facility, complete with driving range, putting greens, restaurant and pro shop. 518.374.9104 www.stadiumgolfclub.com
Whispering Pines 2200 Helderberg Avenue, Rotterdam 518.355.2724 www.whisperingpinesgolfclub.info
Indoor Sports Facilities Electric City Rock Gym 433 State Street, Schenectady Rock Climbing Wall. 518.388.2704 www.ecrockgym.com Frank Messa Rink at Achilles Center Union College, Schenectady The Messa Rink is the home of men’s and women’s ice hockey. The men’s team competes at the Division 1 level with such institutions as Harvard, Yale and Cornell and the women’s team recently moved to varsity status. 518.388.6000 www.union.edu Schenectady County Recreational Facility Schenectady County Airport Offers a great location for local ice hockey leagues to practice, in addition to skating for the general public. www.schenectadycounty.com
sports & recreation
45
Parks & Nature Preserves Central Park Central Parkway & Wright Avenue, Schenectady Music Haven stage, basketball, bocce, Casino restaurant, greenhouse, baseball fields, pedal boats, picnic pavilion, public tennis courts, rose garden, swimming pool. Rose Garden at Central Park The rose garden’s beauty and uniqueness have made it a favorite destination of city residents and visitors alike. It was named an All-America Rose Selection display test garden, a designation held by only 125 gardens nationally. Thousands of roses of all varieties and colors bloom each year from the middle of June throughout the fall. www.schenectadyrose.com Collins Park & Freedom Park Route 5 & Schonowee Avenue, Scotia Picnic area, playground, tennis and basketball courts, ball fields, and swimming. Free summer concerts and family entertainment. www.villageofscotia.org 518.374.8611 Erie Canal Lock Parks The Erie Canal flows through Schenectady County with several parks, boating facilities and restaurants located along its banks. Whether touring by land or by water, the New York State Canal System offers visitors an exciting variety of vacationing options. If you plan on driving to your destination, most canals can be reached easily by road. If coming by boat, the NYS Canal System is linked to most major waterways in the northeast, including the Great Lakes and the Intracoastal Waterway. 800.4CANAL4 www.canals.state.ny.us
Nature Preserves
46
sports & recreation
Schenectady County maintains numerous nature preserves in which the public is welcome to hike, hunt (Nov. 15-Dec. 15), fish, crosscountry ski and snowshoe. www.schenectadycounty.com
Skiing and Snowboarding Schenectady has two small ski facilities, and is situated in proximity to four mountain ranges—the Adirondacks, the Catskills, the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Berkshires of Massachusetts. We are within two to three hours of dozens of ski resorts, including White Face Mountain in Lake Placid, Smuggler’s Notch in Vermont and Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Massachusetts.
Maple Ski Ridge 2725 Mariaville Road, Rotterdam 518.381.4700 www.mapleskiridge.com Oak Hill Farms Cross Country Ski Center 1206 Oak Hill Road, Esperance 518.875.6700 www.oakhillxc.com
Snowmobile Trails Snowmobiling is available in Schenectady County and the surrounding areas. Maps available. www.frontiersno.com
Fishing The lower Mohawk River supports a popular high quality warm water fishery. Shore fishing is most popular and there are several parks where parking is easily available and the shore accessible. The River is noted for is small mouth bass fishing (the typical bass is 11 to 13”). Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Tiger Muskies and occasionally Northern Pike and Chain Pickerel are commonly found in the River between Lock 7 and Lock 8. Rock bass, Yellow Perch, Bullhead, Bluegill and Pumkinseed are common to abundant in pools along this lovely stretch of the river in Schenectady County. Nearby Sacandaga Lake, Saratoga Lake, Kaydeross Creek, and the Hudson River also offer a multitude of fishing opportunities.
Running Opportunities for runners are boundless. Choose from the open road or enclosed high school and college tracks, or enjoy mountain trails and marathons. You’ll find runner’s clubs and casual neigborhood cliques. Stockade-a-thon The Stockade-a-thon is popularly recognized as the oldest major 15K road race in the USA. Starting in 1976, this classic 9.3 miler has become the highlight event on the fall racing season in upstate New York. New England Runner recently selected the Stockade-a-thon as its Race of the Year. More than 1,000 participants compete from throughout New York state and Western New England. www.hmrrc.com Freihofer’s Run for Women The Freihofer’s Run for Women 5k combines some of the top International and American women distance runners, including more than 3,500 women from the Capital Region and across the nation. From Olympians to recreational runners, it’s a wonderful blend of competition, participation and camaraderie. www.freihofersrun.com The Mohawk Hudson River Marathon Race along the historic Mohawk and Hudson Rivers utilizing 18 miles of paved bikeways. The USATF-certified course generally follows the Mohawk River, on paved bicycle trails, then proceeds to the Hudson river via the historic city of Watervliet. The course is certified and is a favorite among Boston Marathon qualifiers. www.hmrrc.com
Our Amazing
Adirondacks
L
ess than an hour’s drive from Schenectady County, The Adiron-
no place more
dack Mountains lie within the 6.1 million acres of the Adiron-
popular for a
dack Park, which includes a constitutionally protected Forest Pre-
family
serve of 2.3 million acres.
of swimming, sailing
week and
The Adirondack Park boasts more than 2,000 miles of trails open for
waterskiing,
biking, hiking, horseback riding and snowmobiling. More than 240
or a leisurely
lakes and ponds and hundreds of miles of rivers and streams provide
canoe trip into
for endless outdoor activities during the summer months. There is
the scenic heart of Adirondack Lake Country. Golf is a major pastime in the North Country with over a dozen beautiful courses including some designed by Donald Ross. Hunting and fishing are allowed in the Adirondack Park, although in many large tourist population has not overfished the area and, as such, the brooks, rivers, ponds and lakes are well stocked with trout and black bass. Approximately 260 species of birds have been recorded, of which more than 170 breed here. State and local public parks for picnicing and camping are scattered throughout the region as are many private campgrounds. Cabins, hunting lodges, villas and hotels are numerous.
47
www.visitadirondacks.com
sports & recreation
places there are strict regulations. Because of these regulations, the
48
arts & culture
health
& family
arts & culture
49
hea lth
&
y l i m fa Our region is home to first-class health care facilities and providers. In Schenectady County, you are never more than a few minutes away from nationally-recognized care at Ellis Hospital’s three campuses – Nott Street, McClellan and Bellevue. At Ellis, you’ll find a full range of quality inpatient and outpatient services. Sponsored by
Hospitals and Health Care Facilities Ellis Hospital www.ellishospital.org Ellis Hospital is a not-for-profit teaching hospital which was founded in 1885. Ellis provides
medical/surgical,
emergency,
psychiatric and obstetric/gynecological care, primary care, long term care and outpatient services. Ellis’ specialty services include a stroke center, a bariatric care center, and a heart center, which provides cardiac catheterization, angioplasty and cardiac surgery. Currently, more than 600 area physicians and dentists enjoy hospital privi-
McClellan Campus 600 McClellan Street, Schenectady The McClellan Campus (formerly St. Clare’s Hospital) houses outpatient services, including day surgery, medical imaging, primary and dental care, laboratory services, wound care and a sleep disorder center, among other outpatient programs. The McClellan Campus emergency department is open and fully staffed 24/7. 518.382.2000 Bellevue Campus 2210 Troy Road, Niskayuna Bellevue Woman’s Care Center is the centralized location for OB/ GYN services. Bellevue also offers breast care, imaging, pelvic health, surgical, laboratory and nutritional services. 518.346.9400
50
health & family
leges at Ellis campuses. With more than 3,400 employees, it is one of the largest employers in the Capital Region. Ellis Hospital is comprised of three campuses: Nott Street Campus 1101 Nott Street, Schenectady Ellis Hospital is the centralized location for medical/surgical inpatient care, critical care and inpatient pediatric care. Ellis’ emergency department is open and fully staffed 24/7. 518.243.4000
The Bridge Center The Bridge Center of Schenectady is a residential treatment program for individuals with drug-related problems. The program environment is designed to help each resident establish appropriate living skills as an alternative to abuse and dependence on drugs. 518.346.1277 www.bridgectr.org
Conifer Park Conifer Park is a private residential chemical dependency treatment facility situated on 32 wooded acres in Glenville. The facility offers comprehensive services for the treatment of alcoholism and substance abuse in a serene, tranquil setting. 800.989.6446 www.coniferpark.com Sunnyview Hospital and Rehabilitation Center Founded in 1928, Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital is northeastern New York’s only freestanding rehabilitation-only facility that serves patients of all ages. 518.382.4500 www.sunnyview.org
Hospice Care The Community Hospice of Schenectady 518.377.8846 www.communityhospice.org
Senior and Long-Term Care General information about services for seniors is available by calling the Schenectady County Department of Senior & Long-Term Care Services. 518.382.8481 www.schenectadycounty.com
ElderNetworkNY ElderNetworkNY is an internet-based service which informs seniors, families, caregivers and care managers about the vast array of community services, providers and resources throughout New York’s Capital Region. www.eldernetworkny.org NY Connects NY Connects is a statewide program to establish consumer-centered access to information and assistance for all individuals in need of long term care services, regardless of age, income, or payment source. Consumers may access local long term care options in Schenectady County by visiting the NY Connects website, or by calling the Schenectady County Department of Senior & Long Term Care Services. 518.382.8481 www.nyconnects.org
Senior Housing A comprehensive directory of Senior Housing options is available for download here. www.schenectadycounty.com/325.link
Nursing Homes in Schenectady County Baptist Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Scotia 518.370.4700 www.bapthealth.com
You Can Count On Ellis A Leader in Acute Hospital Care, Women’s Health and Outpatient Services
Top 5% in the Nation for Patient Safety* Best in the Region, Top 10% in the Nation for Cardiac Care* Gold Award for Stroke Care** * HealthGrades® 2008 ** American Stroke Association
health & family
Nott Street Campus
|
Bellevue Campus
|
McClellan Campus
51
The Best Place To Get Better
Ellis Residential & Rehabilitation Center Schenectady 518.243.4320 www.ellishospital.org Glendale Home Schenectady County Department of Social Services Scotia 518.384.3601 www.schenectadycounty.com Kingsway Arms Nursing Center Schenectady 518.393.4117 www.kingswaycommunity.com Northwoods Rehabilitation And Extended Care Facility-Hilltop Niskayuna 518.374.2212 www.northwoodshealth.net The Avenue Nursing And Rehabilitation Centre Schenectady 518.346.6121 www.clrchealth.com
52
health & family
The Dutch Manor Nursing And Rehabilitation Centre Schenectady 518.370.5051 www.clrchealth.com
Senior Services Glenville Senior Citizens Center Scotia 518.374.0734 www.townofglenville.org Rotterdam Senior Citizens Inc Schenectady 518.356.1561 www.rotterdamny.org Schenectady Senior Meals-Meals on Wheels Schenectady 518.372.5667 Scotia Senior Meal Center Scotia 518.374.0734 Ten Eyck Senior Meal Site Schenectady 518.374.5511 Mont Pleasant Senior Meal Center Schenectady 518.393.5254
Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
Make the Schenectady JCC your destination for Full-time year round child care for infants through middle school youngsters
The Capital District Child Care Coordinating Council is a non-
• • • • • •
profit organization serving parents, employers and child care providers
in
Albany,
Fulton,
Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties. It is
Infant child care Toddler day are with part-time hours Pre-school and Kindergarten Enrichment Summer day camp Traveling Tween camp After school care available to 6 PM
a resource and referral agency, pro-
Family recreation for everyone
viding resources to the community by improving the availability and quality of child care, and a referral service counseling parents seeking child care. If you are looking for child care, the CCRR is a great place to start. They will ask you about the kind of care you are seeking, the ages of your children, the hours of care you need and other specifics such as any special
• • • • • •
Indoor and outdoor pools Swim team Gymnasium & Basketball Fitness Center Kids Fitness Senior programs
needs your child might have. Based on that information, they will be able to give you a list of providers that most closely meet your needs. Referrals to Child Care Programs are not intended to serve as a recommendation. You are encouraged to visit several facilities before choosing your child care arrangement. It may also be a good idea to ask the child
Visit us soon and see why we deserve our reputation Jewish Community Center of Schenectady 2565 Balltown Rd., Niskayuna, NY 12309 www.schenectadyjcc.org 377-8803
care facility for references and to check them. Only you can determine whether the quality of care is right for your child. Information is kept confidential and will not be shared with any third party without your written permission. www.cdcccc.org 612745/se0424/baptisthealth/bss - Composite
Membership open to everyone
Eddy SeniorCare ... a nursing home alternative.
A Member of the Baptist Health System
Eddy SeniorCare provides:
Excellence in Nursing and Rehabilitation Care Long and Short Term
• In-home personal care & support • Primary & specialty medical care
518-370-4700
• Nursing services
297 North Ballston Avenue, Scotia, NY 12302
• Physical & occupational therapies
www.bapthealth.com
• Adult day center • Hospital & emergency services
• Nursing home care, if needed
Participants must reside in select zip codes within Albany County or Schenectady County.
To learn more, please call
(518) 382-3290.
www.NortheastHealth.com
53
7 Culligan Drive • Scotia, NY 12302 PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY 518-377-9444 Pediatrics • Women’s Health Care
health & family
7 Culligan Drive• Meals • Scotia, NY 12302 PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE FOR • Prescriptions THE ENTIRE FAMILY • Transportation 518-377-9444 • Social work services Pediatrics • Women’s Health Care
The Albany Medical Center: a Regional Gem
N
ot only is New York’s Capital Region blessed with outstanding
The Albany Medical Center continues to be in a growth mode as
community hospitals, it also has one of America’s 128 aca-
more and more residents of its 24-county service region seek care
demic health sciences centers.
there. In the past several years, admissions to the Albany Medical Center Hospital have risen by more than 27 percent, from 24,300
The Albany Medical Center traces its heritage back to
in 2001 to more than 31,000 admissions last year. In 2008, the
1839, when the Albany Medical College was founded,
institution announced plans for a $360 million expansion that
and 1849, when the old Albany Hospital was founded.
will expand its bed count from 631 to 747 and will include a
In 1892, the hospital and college joined forces and be-
brand new neonatal intensive care unit as well as new operat-
came the Albany Medical Center.
ing rooms and recovery room suites.
With nearly 7,000 staff members and an estimated
Albany Medical Center attracts physicians, residents, nurses
annual economic impact of more than $1 billion, Al-
and medical students from throughout the nation and it is es-
bany Medical Center offers a wide range of patient care services found nowhere else in the region. These include organ transplantation, the only Level 1 trauma center, the
timated that more than two-third of the physicians practicing in the Capital Region either graduated from the Albany Medical College or did advanced medical or surgical training at the Albany Medical Center Hospital.
only hospital-based air ambulance program, and the region’s only Chil-
Residents of the Capital Region are fortunate to have
dren’s Hospital. In addition, the institu-
this outstanding institution right here in the Capital
tion performs cutting-edge research with
Region. Between the range of outstanding communi-
more than $14 million in externally funded
ty hospitals, the large number of excellent community-
grants each year—most of them from the
based physicians and the nationally recognized Albany
prestigious National Institutes of Health. It
Medical Center, there are very few instances any longer
also educates and trains the next generation
when residents of the Capital Region need to travel to large
of physicians, allied health care professionals and
metropolitan regions like Boston or New York City for any
biomedical research scientists.
type of quality care.
Looking for a company health plan with a variety of options? CDPHP has a healthy choice. ®
All the health plan options your company needs. All in one place. It’s as easy as CDPHP.® We have a wide range of products that fit your employees’ needs—and your company’s budget. Get a price quote. Call your CDPHP broker or contact us at 1-800-507-6033.
54
health & family
www.cdphp.com
Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan, Inc. • Capital District Physicians’ Healthcare Network, Inc. • CDPHP Universal Benefits,® Inc.
Are you looking for a Faith Community that will: 434 State Street Schenectady, NY 12305 518-688-1001 www.parkerinn.com
�Encourage an open mind �Nurture your spiritual life �Connect you with others committed to justice?
WELCOME TO SCHENECTADY! The Parker Inn, a boutique hotel is one of General Electric’s preferred hotels. The Parker Inn is the perfect choice for a temporary residence as you relocate.
Faith For centuries, Schenectady has been a welcoming place to various religions. Much of our history can be connected to the neighborhood churches that helped immigrant families thrive in a place of great opportunity. Our oldest congregation is well over 300 years old and is still actively involved in the community. In recent years, new congregations have joined us from the far reaches of the globe.
If so, we invite you to worship with us Sundays at 10 a.m.
Emmanuel-Friedens Church 218 Nott Terrace Schenectady A Welcoming, Open and Affirming Congregation
Luxurious guestrooms Breakfast included High speed wireless internet Relocation rates for GE Minutes from the GE plant
For information on specific houses of worship, go to the concierge service at www.discoverschenectady.com
55
Schenectady County!
health & family
There’s never been a better time to visit
Sending pictures
through the air
“The Queen’s Messenger” is broadcast to a live audience over the amazing new technology of television.
1
Science fiction becomes science fact
1928 was quite a year. Herbert Hoover became President, Amelia Earhart flew the Atlantic, and television was about to be invented in Schenectady, New York. On Christmas Eve, 1906, General Electric inventor Ernst Alexanderson turned science fiction to science fact when he broadcast the world’s first radio program via his new creation, a high frequency alternator. Impressed, President Woodrow Wilson asked General Electric to organize an American company to exploit the new technology. The company was named RCA. WRGB’s birthdate was January 13, 1928, when the
Left: Ernst Alexanderson, inventor of television, pioneered new technologies as Schenectady became the world’s research lab. Below: Note the three-inch viewing screen, only closeup shots were used. Bottom: A magician shows his sleight of hand to firstgeneration couch potatoes on WGY TV, later WRGB.
first experimental television program was broadcast to Dr. Alexanderson’s Schenectady home. Viewers saw a large, mechanical device with a tiny screen and a perforated rotating scanning disc— the state of the art. Witness Willard Purcell recalled that “The face of a man smoking a cigarette on the little screen looks like it had been made with x’s on the typewriter. It was very crude and wavered from side to side.” The press was kinder. “Radio with pictures for the first time!” trumpeted the Boston Post. By spring, the federal government issued call letters to W2XB, popularly known as WGY’s Television. In September, those lucky enough to own those three-inch screens could witness the world’s first dramatic TV program, “The Queen’s Messenger,” a blood and thunder play with guns, daggers and poison. Given the small screens, only the actors’ individual hands or faces could be seen at one time. Three cameras were used, two for the characters and a third for obtaining images of gestures and appropriate stage props. Alexanderson remembered the presentation as “a little drama, a playlet, that was not a great work of art by any means,” thus distinguishing him as the first TV critic. Through the 1930s and ’40s, WRGB pioneered variety shows, dramas and sporting events. WRGB developed children’s programs, the earliest TV commercials, game shows and religious programming.
the station received its commercial license. The new call letters paid tribute to broadcast pioneer Walter R. G. Baker. Ronald Reagan, honoring the station with a Presidential Citation, said, “As the first television station in the United States, WRGB was a pioneer in the truest sense of the word…the history of this
57
station is truly the history of television.”
birth of broadcast
In 1942, W2XB was renamed WRGB when
Making our world a better place.
There is one source of energy that can help us make a positive impact on our environment. That can help us harness the wind and the sun. That can reduce our dependence on foreign oil. A source of energy that can increase reliability and actually unite us in the effort to reduce global warming. At National Grid, we’re committed to discovering it, delivering it, demanding it from ourselves.
58
quick guide
It’s called action. And it’s there for all of us to tap into.
Find out how you can take action. Visit nationalgrid.com/floe ©2008 National Grid
Qu ic
k
e d i Gu Welcome to Schenectady County. Whether you’re coming to stay or just coming for a visit, you’ll need to know your way around. Schenectady is travel friendly and easy to navigate. Here are some quick facts to help you get oriented.
Sponsored by The creation of this publication was assisted with a grant from National Grid, through the NYS Public service Commission approved Economic Development Plan.
Code: 518 •Area Time Zone: Eastern •Latitude/Longitude: 42.8/-73.9 •
with July highs of around 83 degrees and January lows of about
Our Climate
If you are arriving from outside of the United States, the most con-
Schenectady enjoys four distinct seasons, and each brings its own
ternational Airport in Newark, NJ, or John
unique beauty. Our county gets 38 inches of rain per year, about
F. Kennedy International Airport in New
the U.S. average, and 125 days with measurable precipitation. Av-
York City.
erage snowfall is 47 inches. A typical year sees 177 sunny days
14 degrees. Our comfort index, based on humidity during the hot months, is 51 compared to a national average of just 44.
International Arrivals venient airports to fly into are Newark Liberty In-
From either of these two airports, you may travel to Schenectady by car, via a connecting flight to Albany International Airport, or Amtrak train to downtown Schenectady.
Passports For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program, passports
must
be
valid
for
at
least
90
days
from
date
Waiver Program now require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent’s passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travelers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid US entry visa.
months from the date on which the holder enters the US. If not, the
59
For most countries, the passport must be valid for at least six
quick guide
of entry. All travelers entering the United States under the Visa
holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport. Check with your embassy for details.
Visas Any citizen of a foreign country wishing to enter the US must first obtain a non-immigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Having a US visa allows you to travel to a port-of-entry (airport, for
example)
mission
to
and enter
request the
per-
US.
A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The
Visa
Waiver
countries
to
travel
to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Visas are generally valid for 10 years and are for a six-month stay in the country. The application fee is approximately $130. www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/obtainingvisa County Clerk 518.388.4220 www.schenectadycounty.com
Barney Square Apartments 225 State Street, Schenectady 518.370.3043
Renter’s Guide Magazine www.rentersguidealbany.com. Tri City Rentals www.tricityrentals.com Capital Area Apartments www.capitalareaapartments.com
Buying a Home Real Estate Agents For a current list of real estate professionals active in Schenectady County, visit the Chamber of Schenectady County’s web site at www.schenectadychamber.org and search the member directory.
Mortgages
Hotels/Motels/Inns Belvedere Hotel 1926 Curry Road, Schenectady 518.630.4020 www.albanynyhotels.com
Getting Connected
Glen Sanders Mansion Inn One Glen Avenue, Scotia 518.374.7262 www.glensandersmansion.com Hampton Inn 450 State Street, Schenectady 518.377.4500 www.hamptoninn.com Holiday Inn 100 Nott Terrace, Schenectady 518.393.4141 www.hischenectady.com
quick guide
Wade Lupe Towers & Garden Apartments Queens Drive, Schenectady 518.346.5536
Current mortgage rates and companies can be found on the Times Union Web site at www. timesunion.com/home
Where to Stay
60
Glen Sanders Mansion Inn One Glen Avenue, Scotia 518.374.7262 www.glensandersmansion.com
Apartment Guides Program
(VWP) enables nationals of certain
Apartments with Short- or No-Lease Options
Parker Inn 434 State Street, Schenectady 518.688.1001 www.parkerinn.com The Stockade Inn One North Church Street, Schenectady 518.346.3400 www.stockadeinn.com
Telephone & Cable Time Warner Cable 1021 Highbridge Road 518.869.5500 www.timewarnercable.com/albany Princetown Cable Ennis Road, Schenectady 518.887.5500 www.princetowncable.com Verizon 518.890.7100 www.verizon.com Pattersonville Telephone Company 518.887.2121 www.ptcconnect.net
Gas and Electric National Grid 800.642.4272 www.nationalgridus.com/niagaramohawk
Drivers License and Registration Schenectady County Dept of Motor Vehicles 267 State Street, Schenectady Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-3:45 p.m. 518.381.9181 www.nysdmv.com NYS Dept of Motor Vehicles Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 800.225.5368 www.nysdmv.com
Voter Registration Voter registration forms are available at the Department of Motor Vehicles, or by contacting your local or state Board of Elections, listed below. To register, you must:
• •
Be a U.S. Citizen Be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary or other election in which you want to vote
• •
Not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction Not claim the right to vote elsewhere
Schenectady County Board of Elections 388 Broadway, Suite E, Schenectady 518.377.2469 www.schenectadycounty.com New York State Board of Elections www.elections.state.ny.us/Voting.html
Getting Around Commuter Bus CDTA The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) operates regular route bus service, shuttle systems and paratransit in the Capital Region. CDTA owns and operates the Rensselaer Rail and Saratoga Springs Train Stations. CDTA also operates the Northway Commuter Service between Saratoga County and downtown Albany. 518.482.8822 www.CDTA.org
Rail Travel
Passenger Bus Greyhound Lines, Inc. 22 State Street, Schenectady Continuous service daily to points throughout the continental U.S. and Canada. 518.346.6113 www.greyhound.com Adirondack Trailways 22 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305 Scheduled buses leave throughout the day for Syracuse and New York City. 518.346.3415 www.trailwaysny.com
Taxi Services Capitaland Taxi 518.372.7777 Central Taxi Company 518.346.2344 Checker Cab 518.456.8867 Handi Van Incorporated 518.346.1232 Blue & White Taxi of Schenectady 518.370.0300
Air Travel Albany International Airport (ALB) 737 Albany-Shaker Road, Albany As the major air center for the Capital Region, northeastern New York and western New England, Albany International Airport recently completed an ambitious multi-million dollar capital redevelopment project including a new 230,000 square foot terminal, a parking garage, air traffic control tower and cargo facility. The airport has embarked on a five-year $232 million capital plan to improve and maintain safety and to meet the needs of air travelers and air carriers. 518.242.2200 www.albanyairport.com
61
Schenectady County Airport 21 Airport Road, Glenville Private aircraft are served by the Schenectady County Airport, a public facility operated by the County, located three miles north of the city in Glenville. Founded in 1927, the 750 acre, three-runway airport is home to Richmor Aviation, Fortune Air, the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard, the Empire State Aerosciences Museum, and numerous private aircraft. Three asphalt runways include a 7000 -foot-by-150-foot strip. 518.399.0111 www.schenectadycounty.com
quick guide
Amtrak Schenectady (SDY) 332 Erie Boulevard, Schenectady. Located in the heart of downtown, the station connects to destinations throughout the region including the Rensselaer station, from which Penn Station, NYC, is an average 2.5 hour commute. There are frequent departures New York city and Montreal. Ample open parking is adjacent. Hours: Daily 8:30 a.m. -10:30 p.m. Amtrak 518.346.8651 800.872.7245 www.amtrak.com
Rensselaer (ALB) East Street, Rensselaer The ninth busiest rail station in the country serving more than 650,000 people each year, this multi-level facility features adjacent open and covered parking, and retail, commercial and meeting space. This station is a 30-minute drive from Schenectady. 518.462.5763 www.amtrak.com
Elected Officials
Tv Stations
Federal
WRGB (6) • CBS affiliate
Schenectady County is located in the 21st Congressional District of New York state. www.house.gov www.senate.gov
www.wten.com
WNYT (13) • NBC affliate www.wnyt.com
Schenectady County is located in New York’s 44th Senate District and 105th and 110th Assembly districts. www.senate.state.ny.us www.assembly.state.ny.us
WXXA (23) • FOX affiliate
County and Local
CAPITAL NEWS 9 • Local cable news station
www.schenectadycounty.com
www.capitalnews9.com
Newspapers
Radio Stations
The Daily Gazette
WMHT
89.1 Classical
WRUC
89.7 FM Union College
WFLY
92.3 FM Top-40
WRCZ
94.5 FM Classic Rock
WYJB
95.5 FM Adult Contemporary
WPTR
96.7 FM Nostalgia
WBKK
97.7 FM Classical
WTRY
98.3 FM Oldies
WRVE
99.5 FM Rock
WKLI
100.9 FM Easy Listening
WEQX
102.7 FM Alternative
WHRL
103.1 FM Alternative
WQBK
103.9 FM Rock
WABT
104.5 FM Hot AC
WZMR
104.9 FM Smooth Jazz
WPYX
106.5 FM Classic Rock
WGNA
107.7 FM Country
WROW
590 AM Sports/Talk
WGY
810 AM News/Talk
WOFX
980 AM Fox Sports
WABY
1160 AM Nostalgia
WVKZ
1240 AM Talk
WTMM
1300 AM ESPN Sports
WHAZ
1330 AM Religious
WAMC
90.3 FM/1400 AM NE Public Radio
WDDY
1460 AM Radio Disney Children’s
WDCD
1540 AM Christian Contemporary
The Times Union The region’s leading daily newspaper offers broad, comprehensive coverage of the Capital Region including Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga Springs, with a focus on the capital. A Hearst paper, it was founded in 1857. 518.454.5694 www.timesunion.com
The Spotlight Newspapers A group of 12 suburban weeklies founded in 1955, the Spotlights provide a source of local news, opinion and commerce. The free, mailed and drop-distributed publications are each edited for their local readerships and offer a street-level profile of the communities they serve throughout Schenectady, Saratoga and Albany counties. 518.439.4949 www.spotlightnews.com
Metroland
quick guide
WTEN (10) • ABC affiliate
State
Schenectady County’s leading daily newspaper, founded in 1894, is independently owned with a strong focus on local news for Schenectady county and its neighborhoods. It features an online edition of the newspaper as well as a recently retooled website. 518.374.4141 www.dailygazette.com
62
www.wrgb.com
Billing itself as The Capital Region’s Alternative Newsweekly, Metroland is drop-distributed free of charge throughout the region and covers the local arts and music scene, news and opinion, and political columns. Special issues feature The Best of the Capital Region, readers polls, fashion and dining guides. Founded in 1978, Metroland is a member of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. 518.463.2500 www.metroland.net
www.fox23news.com
WMHT (17) • PBS affiliate www.wmht.org
SEO
TOURISM
print advertising
RADIO MOSSEYGROUP.COM
web design
corporate video
TELEVISION
GE Energy
Our customers have high standards. So do we. That’s why we’re teaming with other GE businesses to help bring added value to you. With locations in more than 100 countries and 300,000 team members worldwide, we’re working together to raise the bar when it comes to advanced, cost effective and reliable wind technology and services. Our goal is to help you succeed. Our capabilities cover the full range of wind energy supply, support services and project development assistance. What you can imagine, we can make happen. www.ge-energy.com/wind