COMPLIMENTARY • DECEMBER 2013
CONSTANTINE FARM
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www.zephyrpreservation.com
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MIRON'S FOCUSES ON FLOORS. THREE GENERATIONS OF EXPERIENCE IN FLOORING For over 70 years, Miron's for Floors has been selling and installing carpeting and floor coverings in the Capital Region and beyond. Miron's for floors is located at 239 Remsen Street (near Columbia Street) in Cohoes and continues their flooring tradition with cousins Dick & Dave Miron. Backed by three generations of experience in customer service and professional installation, starting with their grandfather, William and then their dad's and Uncle’s Lee, Mars, Bill and Aunt Alice Miron (Turgeon) - Miron's for Floors continues to evolve with the latest changes in floor covering options available for today's Residential as well as Commercial flooring consumers. They are your best source for hundreds of styles and colors in name brand flooring choices. They have attractive, natural ceramic, stone or wood look vinyl flooring by Armstrong, Congoleum, Mannington or Tarkett. Other popular flooring options include laminate flooring by Armstrong or perhaps real hardwood or ceramic tile floor in any area of your home. For some rooms the warmth and comfort provided by carpeting from Mohawk or Dixie Home, adds just the right look and feel underfoot. Miron's experienced factory trained installers are acknowledged by three generations of customers as experts with prompt, efficient installation. The Miron family today still continues to bring it's tradition of quality customer service and installation to every customer. Call today 237-1313! MIRON'S for FLOORS 239 Remsen Street Cohoes • 237-1313 M T W F 9am-5:30pm • Th. 9am-7pm • Sat 9am-2pm
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I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. - Harlan Miller
Greetings. My name is Kevin Hotaling and as of about three weeks ago I became the new owner of the Our Towne Colonie publication. I'm excited about this opportunity and look forward to creating a publication that's informative for readers, and successful for local advertisers. I would like to continue to keep the small-town feel, our hometown, and let you know of the things that are happening in our community along with the local merchants that help make this a unique place to live. I have some big plans for the publication. Beginning in March 2014 The Our Towne Colonie will move from a bi-monthly to a monthly publication schedule. During this time of "getting my ears wet" and learning about the business from the people within it, I'm trying to absorb as much as I can. If you are reader, my goal is to make this an informative and interesting publication that you'll enjoy picking up each month to see what's happening in your community. Along with articles about the people and businesses that help make Colonie and the surrounding areas unique, I'm particularly interested in showing off our history. If you're an advertiser, or a business considering advertising in the Our Towne Colonie, you will be happy to know that I plan on making this publication both larger in content along with a broader reach of circulation. The only way for this to happen is by enlisting your help with additional local content. As I reflect on the recent SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY emphasis we had during our Thanksgiving season, I wonder what it would be like for all of our small business owners, and our local economy, if we kept that mindset throughout the holiday season and into next year whenever we make a purchasing decision. Because I have worked both as a manager in the large corporation world of business, and now most recently as a small business owner myself, I have to say that my mindset has changed 180째 from my thinking in the past. Small business, and those that they employ, are the backbone of our country. Kindly take a minute to stop and reflect on this idea when you think about where you're going to make your purchases this holiday season. I know I am already. I am excited about the possibilities for the upcoming editions of the Our Towne Colonie publication and hope you look forward to receiving it. Wishing you, your family and friends a joyous holiday season. -Kevin Hotaling
For Advertising Call Kevin 767-2222 or Email ads@ourtownenortheast.com
May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility. - Mary Anne Radmacher
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EVALUATING YOUR ANTIQUES
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.They must be felt with the heart.Wishing you happiness. - Helen Keller
With vast amounts of information available on our multiple electronic devices most of us assume that with minimal searching we can find almost any answer. When we have medical symptoms we find ourselves self-diagnosing via medical websites. When the washing machine is acting up we try to troubleshoot via a google search. So too with determining the value of, for instance, a newly inherited antique. We search for blue and white Staffordshire plate or gone-with-the-wind lamp or signed photograph of Humphrey Bogart and up pops thousands of items for sale… items on individual websites, items on Ebay, items on 1st Dibs, etc. We find something that looks like ours, especially if it shown with a price tag in the thousands, and we are thrilled. The pitfalls are numerous, however. Popular items have revivals, rare items breed reproductions and fakes, famous people have secretaries that sign for them. And, more often than not, we find someone offering “our item” for a price that is really not grounded in the marketplace. Anyone may offer any item at any price, but will it actually sell at that price? Navigating the subtleties is the difficult task and often requires the advice of someone who has previously examined the variables. Determining value is a multiple stage process. Is your plate historical Staffordshire from the 1820's or 1830's or is it a revival piece from 1910? Is your lamp a 19th c. oil lamp that has been electrified or is it an electric lamp produced to cater to the desire for an “antique look”? Is your photograph signed in the negative or is the signature stamped or is it inked by a secretary or actually signed by Bogart? After determining what you have then you have to find out what people regularly pay for such an item. Often that requires access to auction records and often that is not something that is freely available on the internet. Much of that sort of information involves purchasing a subscription to a site that collects such data (Artnet.com, searchabpc.com, Artfact.com, etc.). It is perhaps not yet time to dispense with doctors, appliance repairmen or antiques professionals. Whether you have a single item or an entire household, the knowledgeable and courteous staff at Dennis Holzman Antiques can provide you with answers and advice. They offer a wide range of services that includes consultation, estate liquidation, appraisals and purchase of one item or a houseful. Dennis Holzman Antiques 111 Remsen Street Cohoes • 326.2061 www.holzmanantiques.com
For Advertising Call Kevin 767-2222 or Email ads@ourtownenortheast.com
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Find perfect holiday gifts for everyone on your list at our annual Christmas Craft Fair. Over fifty regional crafters are represented, offering thousands of items for your perusal. Jewelry, apparel, ornaments, household goods, toys and gourmet jams are among the most popular items. This is a great opportunity to Buy Local while also helping to preserve an important historic site! The Craft Fair is open Monday through Saturday from 10am- 4pm and admission is free.
Shaker Heritage Society 25 Meeting House Road • Albany
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For Advertising Call Kevin 767-2222 or Email ads@ourtownenortheast.com
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THE "MOM & POP" PIZZA SHOP CAN STILL BE FOUND... Most days, it's just me and my husband doing everything in the restaurant. We cook, clean, wait tables, spin the dough you name it. One particular evening, we were absolutely slammed. It happened to be the night that my sisters and brothers in law were dining with us. At another table was a mother and her young son. I had to go to take a delivery and my sister in law jumped in to help. At the same time my brother in law ran to the back to help in the kitchen. That little boy thought he had to work here to pay for his food because it appeared that everybody else was working after eating. We all had such a laugh. Hometown Pizza (518) 235-2600 150 Remsen Street • Cohoes
If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul. - Rabbi Harold Kushner
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518-598-6968 145 Vly Road #6 Shaker Pine Plaza • Niskayuna
GET MOVING! Need to incorporate more movement into your life? Here are some simple ideas that are easy, don't require any memberships, and take little time. Make your health a priority in your life! Increasing movement in your life helps you become healthier and better able to handle stress. Not moving because you have no energy is like asking a fireplace to give you heat before you put logs in. It's backwards! If you want to sleep better, have more energy, and better handle stress in your life, then use your imagination and simply move! Notice I did not use the E word (exercise), as many people have a negative impression of exercise, when, in fact, exercise is supposed to be fun. When we were kids, we begged our parents to be able to play just one more game or to play just a little longer, but ask an adult for one more set or rep of an exercise and see just how happy they are. So instead of formal exercise, let's talk movement, play and FUN! 1. Go for a walk. The weather is still great, enjoy it! 2. Pedal exercisers are a wonderful way to turn TV time into an opportunity to move. They are inexpensive, small, and can work your arms and legs while you stay up to date on your latest show. 3. Dance! Start dancing as you get ready in the morning or at night. Listen to your favorite music and just jam! 4. Jump rope. It's great exercise and if you don't have a rope, just pretend and jump anyway. You won't have to worry about getting caught up in the rope that way. Get creative and increase movement to become fit and stay healthy! Remember to keep it fun so your inner child WANTS to play along. Happy movement everyone!!
Shannon K. Keyes, Certified Hypnotist Registered Yoga Instructor
Home-Made Holiday Eggnog
ZEPHYR PRESERVATION STUDIO Are you the ‘keeper’ for the family heirlooms? Have you just discovered treasures in the basement or attic? Not sure what to do to make sure they survive for the coming generations? Give Zephyr Preservation Studio a call for a consultation! Sarah C. Stevens, owner of Zephyr Preservation Studio, LLC, has been preserving historic and precious textiles for over 15 years and can help you with your family’s fabric treasures – from quilts, flags, christening gowns, wedding gowns, rugs, samplers, and other embroideries. Consultations include an assessment of your collections, determining what you would like to do with them (display, archival storage – saving for the next generations), and then advising on what can be done and the cost. Do you volunteer or work at a historical society? Do they need assistance with their collections? A consultation is available for institutions and can help determine what can be done to preserve the historic collections. Assistance can also be provided for display and exhibition as well as reproductions for pieces that are too fragile to be on display or for examples that are needed for educational programming. www.zephyrpreservation.com 518-961-0250
1 Can Condensed Milk 2 Eggs Dash Salt 1 tsp Vanilla 1 Quart Whole Milk 1 Cup Seagram's VO (or whiskey of your choice) Beat milk and eggs, add salt and vanilla. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with nutmeg. Enjoy!
For Advertising Call David 320.5383 or Email david@ourtownecolonie.com
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Expires 12/31/13
50% OFF ENTRﾃ右 On Your Birthday Purchase One Entrﾃｩe and Receive One 50% Off Dinner on your Birthday. 50% off entrﾃｩe must be of equal or lesser value than other entrﾃｩe purchased. Valid on parties of two or more. Actual date of birthday only.
With this coupon. Expires 12/31/13 Does not include private parties. Main dining room only. Proper ID required. Not valid with any other offers.
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This is Dante! Dante is a handsome 2 year old who is neutered and up to date on all of his shots. He was found wandering alone on the streets of Albany, but is finally safe and sound! Because of his rough start in life, he does have trust issues, and is looking for the perfect person or people who will understand him. He is working on his issues, and is picking up “good dog” behaviors very quickly. Due to his special needs though, he will not be adopted to a home with small children. If you can earn the trust of this great little man, he'll give you all the love in the world!
GETTING YOUR CAT TO THE VETERINARIAN Reducing the Stress of Veterinary Visits for You and Your Cat Anybody who has ever tried to get a cat in a carrier to go to a veterinarian knows the experience can be unpleasant for both the person and the feline! Due to this there are many cats that are never brought to the veterinarian. It is very important that all cats have a physical exam with a veterinarian at least once a year, and more often when they are older. There are many problems that can be detected on physical exam by a veterinarian that may not be noted by even the most attentive owners. For our felines to live a long, happy life we need to make that trip to the veterinarian easier for them and their owners. The first step is understanding your cat's behavior. Unlike dogs that take car rides often to fun places like parks for walks, most cats are only put in a carrier and in the car once a year for that yearly trip to the veterinarian. Cats need time to adjust to the unfamiliar. Purchase a carrier well before it is needed. The best type of carrier is an inexpensive hard sided plastic carrier that can be easily taken apart in the middle. There are several reasons for this. It is easier for you to place your cat in the carrier's bottom and then gently place the top on rather than try to push your cat in the small door in the front. Once at the veterinary
hospital the top half can be taken off and in most instances the veterinarian can do your cat's physical exam with him or her sitting in the bottom half of their carrier. This keeps them in a familiar place and is much less stressful for your cat. Before even trying to get your cat in its carrier, the carrier should be left out in a room the cat spends a considerable amount of time in. Place familiar soft bedding inside the carrier. If your cat sleeps with you, place your pillow case or other bedding inside the carrier because it will be a familiar scent for your cat. Treats, catnip and toys can be placed in the carrier to encourage your cat to investigate the carrier. This process can take time. Be patient. If your cat is even sitting next to the carrier reward him or her with treats and attention. Over time your cat should become familiar with the carrier and willingly go inside and spend time lying in it. There is also a product that can help calm your cat and make the entire process much easier. Feliway is a synthetic facial pheromone that can help your cat respond positively to unfamiliar or stressful situations. It comes in several forms including diffusers that plug in to an outlet,
a spray and wipes. A diffuser can be plugged in near the cat carrier and this will encourage your cat to want to be in this space. The idea is that these pheromones are telling your cat “this is a safe place to be”. We recommend spraying the towel or bedding that is used in the carrier 30 minutes before placing your cat it the carrier. If your cat is very vocal or stressed in the car a towel sprayed with Feliway can also be used to cover the carrier. It is a good idea to bring this towel in to the veterinary hospital with you. If the waiting room is crowded or noisy keeping the carrier covered with a Feliway sprayed towel can reduce your cat's anxiety. With time and patience, following the above steps can help your cat be more excepting of getting in the carrier. When your cat is less stressed, you will be less stressed and the whole experience will be more enjoyable for both of you. Remember the goal is to help our felines live longer more comfortable lives and getting them to the veterinarian calmly and safely will help us achieve that goal. Anne Marie Carmichael, D.V.M. Sand Creek Animal Hospital 446-9171 130 Wolf Rd, Albany, NY 12205
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25 Bedford Street Cohoes, NY 12047