Our Towne Colonie January 2015

To Advertise Call ◆ Kevin 518-598-3081 ◆ Mark 518-522-2644 ◆

Jim 518-857-9546 ◆ Email to: Ads@OurTowneNortheast.com

COMPLIMENTARY

JANUARY 2015

M A R R A’ S PHAR MAC Y More than a pharmacy. We’re Family.

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HOW TO SET YOUR FINANCIAL PRIORITIES

NEED AN EDGE?

During our lives, we move through the financial lifecycle. We begin by saving for a house, then focusing on our children’s college education, and later, we’re looking toward retirement. To help set your financial priorities, consider the following life stages.

WHETHER YOU’RE ONE PERSON trying

Early years (25-40)

to plan for retirement, or a growing

At this stage, it’s best to focus on growth-oriented products since many of your goals are several years away. To create a balance, life insurance can offer safety and stability in addition to death protection.

• Work on your savings through good financial habits.

• Consider taking risks with your investments for the chance to outpace inflation.

• Have adequate life and long-term disability income insurance, and be sure your policies cover your needs.

• Beware of credit card debt, car loans, lease payments, and mortgage debt.

• Set up an estate plan shortly after marriage and update it when you have children. It’s important to have a will, a living will and a durable power of attorney.

business looking out for your employees, sometimes your goals seem just out of reach. Fortunately, The Principal® can help.

We offer a wide range of services, from investments, insurance and retirement plans to full benefit packages. In fact,

?

we’ve been putting the very best solutions within reach for more than 130 years.

So, with us, even your toughest financial challenge may be, well, a slam dunk.

Lawrence M. Dillon, CFP , ChFC , CLU & Senior Financial Representatives Scott Powhida, Managing Director Princor Registered Representatives Senior Financial Representatives Advisors PrincorFinancial Registered Representatives ®

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Financial Advisors Dillon.Lawrence@principal.com 637 New Loudon Road, Suite 1 | Latham, NY 12110 (518) 724-1700 Scott Lawrence M. Powhida.Scott@principal.com dillon.lawrence@principal.com | powhida.scott@principal.com Powhida Dillon OU’RE CFP ONE  ChFC CLUPERSON trying Managing Director ©2014 Principal Financial Services, Inc. “The Principal,” “Principal Financial Group,” the Edge design,“We’ll Give You an Edge” and the illustrated character are registered service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc. Insurance products from the Principal Financial Group® are issued by Principal National Life Insurance Company (except in New York) and Principal Life Insurance Company. Securities offered through Princor Financial Services Corporation, 800/247-1737, member SIPC. Principal National, Principal Life, and Princor® are members of the Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA 50392.

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• Be morePrincipal conservative and avoid making high-risk investments.

Building years (40-50) A rising income is helping you achieve your goals during this state in your life. However, expenses such as your children’s college education may reduce your current spendable income. The need for growth is still essential since retirement is nearing, yet impending goals may warrant a shift toward more conservative products.

• Size up your retirement needs to project your annual retirement income and expenses.

• Weigh your financial needs against those of your children. Don’t let your children’s college costs interrupt your retirement

savings plan. of services, from ide range

Refining years (50-60) ull benefit packages. In fact, Your peak earnings combined with reduced financial responsibility for your children can make this stage financially rewarding.

ach for more 130 years.

Accumulating assetsthan for retirement is more important than ever.

• Consider a shift toward more conservative growth opportunities including inflation protection.

a lookwell, at your estatea plan.

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• Determine your desired retirement lifestyle and plan accordingly.

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Rewarding Years (60 and over)

To maintain your lifestyle during retirement, you’ll likely need extra income to supplement Social Security benefits and pension payments. The majority of your savings and investment program should focus on producing income and protecting your investments against inflation.

It’s never too late to begin prioritizing

atham, NY 12110 (518) 724-1700 The first step to help determine your future financial needs is to participate in a needs analysis session. owhida.scott@principal.com

Group,” the d service Financial ew York) Financial cipal Life, A 50392.

WE’LL GIVE YOU AN EDGE®

Principal Financial Group 637 New Loudon Road Suite 1 Latham, NY 12110 (518)724-1700

To Advertise Call ◆ Kevin 518-598-3081 ◆ Mark 518-522-2644 ◆

What’s in Your Closet?

I was recently contacted by a New York Times stringer wanting to discuss the origin of “Certificates of Authenticity”. I told him I didn’t have a clue. My assumption was that it was a relatively recent phenomenon, a 20th c. sales promotion technique. Something to accompany the “limited edition” production of ceramic plates with nostalgic scenes after paintings

by Norman Rockwell.

He had an inkling that it was rooted in a much earlier and deeper human condition. Perhaps a sales technique molded by genetic makeup. I was forced to broaden my thinking. I have certainly owned bricks that had affixed to them a little metal plaque guaranteeing that this piece of fired clay had once been part of the west wall of the White House renovated during the Truman administration. Then I remembered all those pieces of the Atlantic telegraph cable I’ve owned which were marketed

by Tiffany & Co. during the late 19th c. that had stamped brass statements of authenticity. As a matter of fact I’ve had a postage stamp-size piece of the Confederate flag which flew atop the Marshall House in Virginia at the onset of the Civil War with a period inked inscription certifying its provenance. And a piece of a vessel sunk during the War of 1812. And a fragment of a Tory’s jacket from the Revolutionary War. And a skull purported to be a Native American c. 1000 AD. All of these attested to by some sort of written or printed documentation …some sort of “certificate of authenticity”.

In exchange for this journalist’s impact on my thinking, I barraged him with anecdotes about my experiences with authentication. The most ridiculous one involves a NASDAQtraded company which provides authentication service. For many in the autograph (esp. sports) world it is the gold standard.

They feel that if you don’t have this company’s blessing it means your item is likely not legitimate. Briefly, I sold several autographs to an individual who rushed off to get his Letters of Authenticity from said company. After spending several hundred dollars he received notification that all the autographs were forgeries. I gladly refunded his money. The fascinating part of this tale is that the company lists multiple “specialists” who provide expertise in various fields (hockey or baseball or historical autographs, etc.). Not only had one of my questionable autographs been previously purchased from one of these “specialists”, but I sent all the returned autographs to one of the listed historical experts directly (a colleague I deal with frequently). He confirmed that he had not seen these items previously and that they were absolutely authentic. Fortunately for this company the fine print in their contract states: “Certification and authentication involves an individual judgment that is subjective and requires the exercise of professional opinion, which can change from time to time. Therefore [we] make no warranty or representation and shall have no liability whatsoever to the customer for the opinion rendered…” Money well spent!

My rant to the reporter continued with numerous stories of this ilk. I ended with the Salvador Dali print scams. After his death thousands of blank sheets of paper with his signature were uncovered. He got paid to sign prints that he never saw and never would see, all accompanied with certificates of authenticity.

As far as I can tell, hundreds of years of certificates are only as good or trustworthy as the individuals supplying them.

Dennis Holzman Antiques

111 Remsen Street Cohoes • 326.2061 www.holzmanantiques.com

Jim 518-857-9546 ◆ Email to: Ads@OurTowneNortheast.com

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RARE BOOKS, AUTOGRAPHS SILVER, LOCAL HISTORY STYLISH OBJECTS...

MENTION THIS AD FOR A 20% DISCOUNT ON ANY PURCHASE

111 Remsen Street ◆ Cohoes ◆ 518.326.2061 www.HolzmanAntiques.com Buy from people you trust. Buy from people who are willing to back up their guarantees.

MENTION THAT YOU HEARD ABOUT US HERE AND RECEIVE A 20% DISCOUNT OFF ANY SINGLE ITEM PURCHASE. Plus the first ten people who make a purchase receive a miniature 14K gold Krugerrand, of course (ironically) accompanied by a “Certificate of Authenticity” from the International Monetary Mint. (one per customer)

A SAMPLING FROM THE HOLZMAN CLOSET • Johannes Brahms autograph letter signed • Twelve piece Royal Doulton fish serving set • 1941 Albert Hirschfeld lithograph from his Harlem series • C. 1920 hand painted leather room divider • Cast iron boot scraper in the form of a duck, late 19th c.

• C. 1910 Buffalo Bill photograph • Alabaster owl bookends • WW I Marines recruiting poster designed by James Montgomery Flagg • 1926 book on the motion picture industry signed by Thomas Edison • 1863 copies of the newspaper, “The National AntiSlavery Standard” • Cast iron Charles Dickens bookends

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Message From

2 New Year Resolution’s (One for Each of You and Me!) All I can say is WOW! It’s been a little over a year since I purchased the Our Towne Colonie publication and I’m having a hard time convincing myself that all that time has passed. I’ve learned a lot from my new colleagues in this business, and I know there’s a lot more to learn in this new year. I would say I have earned two new entry level Jr. Woodchuck merit badges, one for understanding how to put this publication together each month, and one for a very cursory knowledge of the actual art of producing and distributing it.

So here we are in January 2015 and I’m thinking about what are two small business resolutions that I can do and to suggest to help the entrepreneurs in the community we share. I would like them to satisfy the following simple guidelines: 1. Be easily obtainable, and actionable every day.

2. They are useful to me, a business owner, and local consumers. (This is where the each of you and me from the title comes in play....)

3. They create a positive energy.

I went searching for some inspiration and found the following new year resolution quote: Give warm greetings and farewells. I was surprised by how much this resolution changed the atmosphere of my home.

Gretchen Rubin Well this seems pretty good. If Gretchen Rubin was able to markedly change the atmosphere in her own home could there be something here for business owners?

Ready?? Here goes.....

For the Business owners and me: Give warm greetings and farewells to everyone that walks through your door or you greet elsewhere.

I think a heartfelt and sincere hello and welcome is simple to do and sets a tone of harmony. People are

more likely to buy when they feel welcome and for an added bonus, they will probably tell their friends and family about this strange new phenomena witnessed in your store. Does it fulfill my 3 simple guidelines mentioned earlier? Yes. For the Consumers and me: Be a Maven.

Remember The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell I had talked about in a previous edition?? Well to refresh your memory: Mavens are people who have a strong compulsion to help other consumers by helping them make informed decisions. A maven would then, being the recipient of this unusual welcoming and shopping experience, tell their friends and family to stop by and see for themselves.

Does it fulfill my 3 simple guidelines mentioned earlier? Yes. Oh, and for all of us.... Let’s all do what Gretchen Rubin did at home.

Wishing everyone a Healthy and Happy New Year Kevin Hotaling Owner and Publisher, Our Towne Colonie

When You shop small

at independent, locally owned businesses of what you spend stays right in your community supporting local organizations and services

52%

sales Contacts: Kevin Hotaling Owner / Publisher • 518-598-3081 • ads@ourtownenortheast.com Mark Slocum Advertising & Marketing Consultant • 518-522-2644 • Mark@ourtownenortheast.com Jim Gulli Advertising & Marketing Consultant • 518-857-9546 • Jim@ourtownenortheast.com

To Advertise Call ◆ Kevin 518-598-3081 ◆ Mark 518-522-2644 ◆

Jim 518-857-9546 ◆ Email to: Ads@OurTowneNortheast.com

During a winter storm!

If a winter storm hits your hometown, follow these safety tips: •

• • •

• •

• •

Minimize travel. If you have to go out, cover your mouth with a scarf or ski mask to protect your lungs.

Cover your head with a hat or scarf to prevent heat loss.

Minimize cold drafts and conserve energy in your house by stuffing cracks around doors and windows with rugs, newspapers or towels.

Stay inside and wear loose fitting, layered and lightweight clothing.

Stay off the roads. But if you have to travel during a winter storm or severe weather, let a family member or friend know your destination, travel route and estimated time of arrival.

Use your headlights when your windshield wipers are running.

Gently lift your wipers off the windshield if they are frozen instead of relying on the wiper motor. This practice will prevent your wipers from freezing to the glass and increase your wiper motor’s life span.

Apply firm consistent pressure to activate ABS brakes. Do not pump ABS brakes in icy weather.

Take frequent breaks when you’re shoveling to help avoid overexertion. If possible, push the snow instead of lifting it.

•

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Assist elderly neighbors and people with special needs. Offer to remove the snow from their driveway, fetch necessities or invite them into your home to wait out the storm.

Driving Tips If you’re stranded in your car during a winter storm, you should: • • • • • • • •

Stay in the car.

Tie a piece of bright colored clothing to the antenna.

Leave an interior light on when the engine is running so people can see you inside.

Move your limbs around to ensure proper blood circulation. This will also help you stay warm.

Run the car’s engine 10 minutes out of every hour.

Keep one window slightly ajar to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow to prevent carbon monoxide from entering your car.

Although you may think snow will help you survive, eating it will only make you colder. Instead, use a match or candle and melt it into a drinking container.

Find out more at The Lyden Group Insurance Agency Call (518) 877-7018 or e-mail steve@lydengroup.com

One of our custom new ers j switch ed the ust ir Hom Incom e Auto I e Property a , nsuran nd ce and over $ 500 an saved nu With h igher l ally! evels o cover f What age! can w for yo e do u?

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217 Remsen St ◆ Cohoes, NY 12047 ◆ (518) 237-2110 www.marrarx.com rx@marrarx.com

Ways to Improve Your Cholesterol Levels It’s the beginning of a new year and with that an opportunity to address that little old cholesterol problem you doctor keeps reminding you about and for good reason. Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance in your blood. It increases your chance of heart disease, stroke, and other problems. Many things may put you at risk for high cholesterol. You can’t control some of these risks such as your age, gender, or family history.

Fortunately, the list of things you can change and control is longer: It includes your weight, diet, exercise, blood sugar, and smoking.

The good news is some changes may give you a “twofer.” For example, eating healthy foods can reduce the amount of cholesterol you are taking into your body. It can also help you lose weight, which lowers LDL (bad cholesterol).

Try eating: • More fresh fruits, vegetables, and other foods high in fiber such as whole grains and beans • Fewer foods that contain cholesterol, trans fats, or saturated fats such as fatty meats and whole milk, cream, butter, cheese, and ice cream Increasing your exercise not only lowers your LDL but also raises levels of HDL (good cholesterol), which carries bad cholesterol away. Take steps to enhance your chance of success, especially if exercise is a bit foreign to you. Gradually increase the intensity and length of your exercise routines. Or find an exercise partner to help you stay motivated.

Sometimes lifestyle changes are simply not enough to get your cholesterol into a safe range. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe a special medicine to lower your cholesterol. Make sure you take it exactly the way your doctor directs. If you don’t, it may not work. Just remember: Pharmacists can double check to make sure you’re on the right track. And, if cost is an issue, ask us whether a generic version of your medicine is available.

Statins are one type of medicine commonly prescribed for high cholesterol. You’ve probably heard a lot about this medicine. Recent studies have added encouraging news about statins. For example, statins may help kids who have a genetic type of cholesterol disorder. They may also help boost survival rates after people have a certain type of stroke. Statins may even prevent common and serious complications from diabetes. They apparently protect against damage to small blood vessels that can lead to blindness or amputations.

None of this means medicine gives you a free pass to smoke, overeat, and remain a couch potato. Instead, lifestyle changes can work together with medicine to improve your cholesterol levels even more. And, as you already know, these changes can really improve your overall quality of life.

Our staff here at Marra’s is here to help – just give us a call at 237-2110 or reach out at rx@marrarx.com!

Marra’s……More than a Pharmacy….We’re Family!

To Advertise Call ◆ Kevin 518-598-3081 ◆ Mark 518-522-2644 ◆

Jim 518-857-9546 ◆ Email to: Ads@OurTowneNortheast.com

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To Advertise Call ◆ Kevin 518-598-3081 ◆ Mark 518-522-2644 ◆

Jim 518-857-9546 ◆ Email to: Ads@OurTowneNortheast.com

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Qual ity D for ov in er 4 0 ing

Years

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Energy Saving Tips for Winter 1. Save up to 10% on your heating bill by programming your thermostat to a lower temperature at night and after you leave for work. 68°F is recommended to maintain a comfortable temperature and be able to save on your electricity usage.

2. Wash clothes in cold water. Heating the water in a washer uses 90% of the energy used to wash clothes. According to Energy Star, the average household can save $30-$40 annually by switching to cold water.

3. Insulate your water heater and all water piping.

4. Use sunlight instead of turning on the heat, where applicable.

5. Have your furnace and ductwork inspected annually. Loose, broken AC ductwork accounts for 15-35% of a home’s energy loss.

6. Caulk, seal, and weather-strip openings from your home to the outside.

7. Repair and weather-strip air leaks in the home as 10-25% of energy used to heat homes escapes through air leaks.

8. Unless it is equipped specifically for home heating, use your fireplace sparingly. Warm air escapes through the chimney. Close the damper when you’re not using your fireplace.

9. When using your wood-burning fireplace, split wood into pieces that are 10-15cm (4-6-inches) in diameter. The wood will burn more cleanly with more surface area exposed to the flame.

10. Avoid heating unused rooms by closing doors and warm air supply registers.

Phillips Hardware • www.ShopPhillips.com Altamont • Colonie • Delmar Schenectady • Voorheesville • Waterford

Jim 518-857-9546 ◆ Email to: Ads@OurTowneNortheast.com

EMPIRE SKATE PLAZA When: Fri, Nov 28, 2014 until Sat, Feb 28, 2015 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM Where: Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York Cost: FREE ADMISSION Now in its 4th year, the tremendously popular Empire State Plaza Ice Rink is open daily November 28 through March, from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. (closed for maintenance from 3 p.m - 4 p.m.) and skating is free!

Located in the shadow of the majestic State Capitol, amenities include a full-service snack bar and a skate lounge with lockers and music.

Rentals are available whenever the rink is open and cost $3 for children under 12 and $4 for adults. The 2014-2015 season will feature an assorted line-up of events including free rental Fridays, instructional clinics, hockey exhibitions, children’s entertainers, live music and more!

Tentative Calendar of Ice Rink Events: EVERY FRIDAY – Hannaford Free Rental Friday December 7 – Tree Lighting Ceremony (1pm-8pm) December 19 – Holiday Skate (6pm-8pm) December 27 – Learn To Skate Clinic (9am-11am) January 4 – National Trivia Day (1pm-4pm) January 31 – Learn To Skate Clinic (9am-11am) February 3 – Rock ‘N Roll Skate (11am-8pm) February 14 – Valentine’s Day Skate (11am-8pm) February 21 – Try Hockey For Free With USA Hockey (9am-11am) February 28 – Learn To Skate Clinic (9am-11am) March 8 – Last Day Of Skating (11am-8pm)

HOUSE RULES • • • • • • • • • •

If you open it, close it.

If you turn it on, turn it off.

If you break it, repair it.

If you can’t fix it, report it.

If you unlock it, lock it.

If you borrow it, return it.

If you use it, don’t abuse it.

If you make a mess, clean it up.

If you move it, put it back.

If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone.

• If it belongs to someone else, get permission to use it.

• If it doesn’t concern you, don’t mess with it.

Haband Office Supply Company

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Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.

Buddha

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To Advertise Call ◆ Kevin 518-598-3081 ◆ Mark 518-522-2644 ◆

Jim 518-857-9546 ◆ Email to: Ads@OurTowneNortheast.com

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Seek to Balance “Risk Tolerance” and “Required Risk” Like everyone else, you have financial goals.

To help achieve these goals, you may need to invest — and when you invest, you’ll need to take on some risk. But the more you understand this risk, and the better you are at managing it, the greater your potential for staying invested for the long term.

To begin with, then, take a look at these terms: •

Risk tolerance — Your risk tolerance is essentially your comfort level with taking risk. For example, if you have a high tolerance for risk, you may be comfortable investing aggressively. Conversely, if you tend to be risk-averse, you might lean more toward more conservative investment vehicles that offer greater protection of principal.

•

Required risk — While the term “required risk” may sound odd, it is actually an integral component of your ability to invest successfully. Basically, your required risk is the level of risk necessary to help you achieve your investment goals. The higher the return necessary to reach those goals, the more potential risk you’ll need to assume.

As you invest, you’ll need to balance these two aspects of risk. For example, what might happen if you have a low risk tolerance, leading you toward “safer,” low-growth investments, but your goal is to retire early? For most people, this goal requires them to invest in vehicles that offer significant growth potential, such as stocks. And, as you know, investing in stocks entails risk — specifically, the risk that your stocks will lose value. So in this situation, your risk tolerance — the fact that you are risk-averse — is going to collide with your required risk level, the amount of risk you are going to need to take (by investing in stocks) to achieve your goal of early retirement.

When such a collision occurs, you have two choices. First, you could “stretch” your risk tolerance and accept the need to take on riskier investments in exchange for the growth potential you will require.

Your other choice is to stay within your risk tolerance and adjust your ultimate goal — which, in this example, may mean accepting a later retirement date.

Obviously, this is a personal decision. However, you may have more flexibility than you might have imagined. For instance, you might feel that you should be risk-averse because you have seen so many fluctuations in the financial markets. But if you have many decades to go until you retire, you actually do have time to recover from shortterm losses, which means you may be able to reasonably handle more volatility. On the other hand, once you’re retired, you won’t have as many years to bounce back from market downturns, so you’ll have less “risk capacity” than you did when you were younger.

In any case, by balancing your risk tolerance and your required risk level — and by understanding your risk capacity — you can be better prepared to take the emotion out of investing. When investors let their emotions get the better of them, they can make mistakes such as chasing “hot” stocks or selling quality investments due to temporary price drops. By having a clear sense of what risk really entails, however, you may be able to avoid costly detours — and stick with your longterm investment strategy.

Kevin J Pittz, Financial Advisor Edward Jones Investments 1721 Central Avenue, Albany • 518-869.9088

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Aromatherapy offers a boost to your brain through various scents which work to stimulate, calm, energize, and more.

Sitting is an art that isn’t getting passed along. People these days feel as though they have to be doing something. That sort of thing looks like doing nothing. A recharging battery doesn’t look as if it’s doing anything either. Sitting restores your soul. If you want to enjoy a truly full life, don’t just do something, sit there.

— Leroy Powell in Out of My Head

The most beautiful world is always entered through imagination.

Helen Keller (1880-1968)

January Sudoku

Answers on Page26

Relax, Lose Weight, and Improve Your Quality of Life!

What if you could relax, lose weight, and improve your quality of life? Sounds wonderful, right? It is! Hypnosis can help you achieve your resolutions to lose weight and improve your quality of life by relaxing and tapping into the power of your unconscious mind, which is an incredibly relaxing process (15 minute of hypnosis is the equivalent of 4 hours of natural restful sleep).

While you are deeply relaxing, through hypnosis, you will change habits, reduce stress, and focus on your goals so achieving them is easy and fun. Would you like to achieve your goals and feel relaxed and better about yourself while you are doing it? Who wouldn’t?

So stop struggling. Relax and start succeeding!

Hypnosis helps you relax and change your life in powerful ways! Here is what Christina P. of Colonie, NY had to say about her program at Key 2 Joy, “I lost 31 lbs. I have lower blood pressure, my joints feel better, and I have more energy. My kids said, ‘Mom, you’re much happier.’ I didn’t realize my kids were getting the worn out end of the work-day me.

Hypnosis has helped me with so much more than weight loss. I am letting go of stress, hurt, bad habits, and gaining new habits. Hypnosis is giving me tools to let go of so much more than just weight!” Results are unique to each person, but at Key 2 Joy Hypnosis, in Colonie, you can relax, lose weight, reduce stress, improve sleep, and achieve a better quality of life. This year, let go of stress, weight, and failure by relaxing into a healthier, happier, better YOU! So what are you waiting for? Start the New Year off right. We offer a FREE hypnosis screening to determine if hypnosis is right for you. Call 518-598-6968 to schedule your FREE Screening!

Shannon Keyes Ciucevich

Certified Hypnotist, Registered Yoga Teacher Key 2 Joy, Inc. 145 Vly Road, Suite 6 Shaker Pine Plaza Colonie, NY 12309

518-598-6968

To Advertise Call ◆ Kevin 518-598-3081 ◆ Mark 518-522-2644 ◆

Jim 518-857-9546 ◆ Email to: Ads@OurTowneNortheast.com

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Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”

Winston Churchill

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they’ve faded... You are not as fat as you imagine... Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts. Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours... Remember compliments, forget insults... Keep old love letters.

Throw away old bank statements... Whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself or berate yourself too much. Your choices are half chance, like everybody else’s... Do not read beauty magazines.

They will only make you feel ugly... Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on... Accept these certain truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And then you’ll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

— Mary Schmich (1953- ) from Words to Live By Tips from a Speech Never Given

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452-0550 x1 ◆ 1648 Western Avenue ◆ Opposite Crossgates Mall ◆ M-F 10-7 / Sat 10-6 Bilingual education can only have one major goal: achievement of competency in reading, writing, hearing and speaking the English language. Parents understand this.

Many immigrant families want no part of today’s misdirected bilingual education programs, which try to teach their children in their native language. They put their children into English-speaking classrooms so that they can become fluent in English as quickly as possible. This is not to leave their cultural heritage behind or because they are ashamed of their background.

But they recognize that their ability to compete and thrive in America will be greatly enhanced by learning English. The most succinct and telling statement I have heard on the subject came from Ernesto Ortiz, a foreman on a south-Texas ranch, who said: “My children learn Spanish in school so they can grow up to be busboys and waiters. I teach them English at home so they can grow up to be doctors and lawyers.”

John Silber (1926- )

Dedicated to working with small businesses to help them grow and become successful.

“You must be very patient, very persistent. The world isn’t going to shower gold coins on you just because you have a good idea. You’re going to have to work like crazy to bring that idea to the attention of people. They’re not going to buy it unless they know about it.”

– Herb Kelleher

Cohoes Public Library 169 Mohawk Street Cohoes (518) 235-2570 HOURS: Monday: 10am-8pm Tuesday: 10am-5pm Wednesday: 10am-8pm Thursday: 10am-5pm Friday: 10am-5pm Saturday: 10am-4pm Closed Sundays & Holidays

COME EXPLORE THE COHOES PUBLIC LIBRARY...

AVAILABLE RESOURCES • Books, eBooks, eReaders, Newspapers, Magazines • DVDs, Books on CD, • Pre-loaded books on MP3 players • Free Wi-Fi Hot Spot • Public Computers & Printer • Copier, Scanner, & Fax Machine • Free Online Children’s ebooks • Museum Passes • Community Room • Fishing Rods

www.CohoesPublicLibrary.org Gandhi’s Seven Sins: Wealth without work; Pleasure without conscience; Knowledge without character; Commerce without morality; Science without humanity; Worship without sacrifice; and Politics without principle. — Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.

Morticia Addams (TV and cartoon character) The most complicated task today is finding a way to live a simple life.

W. A. Nance

Jim 518-857-9546 ◆ Email to: Ads@OurTowneNortheast.com

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True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it is not haphazard and superficial. It comes to see that an edifice that produces beggars needs restructuring. — Martin Luther King, Jr. 1929-1968

In 2002, Steven Spielberg finally finished college after a 33-year hiatus.

He turned in Schindler’s List for his student film requirement.

Children are fantastic little creatures.

Next to drunk people, they are the only truly honest people on earth.

Mads Nipper, CEO of LEGO

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««« THE AMERICAN www.OurTowneColonie.com VALUES CLUB CROSSWORD «««

January Crossword

October 15, 2014 “Crossing the Tracks” ACROSS

1 High mountain,

4 8

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in a certain back‑formation When no one dies, in “Romeo and Juliet” The Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, e.g., in matchup listings Conga line that began in Nazareth? ___ de Boulogne Parkour techniques?

Valdez on coffee cans Edge Middle ear part?

Where President Taft may or may not have gotten stuck Philly‑to‑NYC dir.

PayPal funds, e.g.

Sexual opening?

Tonic note word, in a “Sound of Music” song Decline European clothier with a calculatedly controversial name Mil. bigwig U.S. security offering Entropy More questionable Activity that requires powder on the face?

39 Against a thing, in 40 41

42 43 47 48 50 51 52 53

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legalese YouTube alternative Definition of the tonic note word, in a “Sound of Music” song Pine for Cheeky thing, in England?

West of Hollywood Pet given to Jon Arbuckle by Lyman Woodworking fasteners Bob Costas’s network Demand payment from Letters before Speedwagon (the band) or Speed Wagon (the car) Butter unit Butter alternatives Prince’s passion?

Loyal Group tasked with organizing sorority rush week?

Letters before an assumed commercial name Guesses from the cockpit “Well, ___‑di‑dah!”

DOWN

13 Relatively lonely

1 One way for a

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transgender person to live Spinal column bone accorded mystical qualities in Judaism and Islam “Not!” ___ Spring Label word after lo‑ Kesha single, when she was still Ke$ha All together Eighth president before BHO Guy who prefers Afghans and bassets?

Chopin’s nickname, among his close peeps?

Banana Republic competitor Second‑wave feminist Jong

1 11

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33 35

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number, though not as bad as one, in song Looks like a punk, classically Lawn game Steady rate?

Cast Rival Pt. on a diameter Neither Christopher Columbus nor Grover Cleveland Idiot Hip‑hop song about where Thanksgiving stuffing is supposed to go?

Offer on the golfing section of Craigslist?

Sibling nickname Distances on European hwys.

Thin defense against the charge that “you’re a nerd!”

4

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44 45 46 49

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59 60

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Manhattan in 1626 for the modern equivalent of a few thousand dollars Indonesian currency Movie channel since 1994 First name on compacts Ashley ___ (sex worker who knew Eliot Spitzer as “Client 9”) Exam for students from outside the U.S. D&D, et al.

Jeff Lynne’s group, briefly Subject of a famous part in the Bible Chain in bio class Major lending org. after the subprime mortgage crisis

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People who work crossword puzzles know that if they stop making progress, they should put the puzzle down for a while.

Marilyn vos Savant

by Ben Tausig Difficulty level: l l l l

Answers on Page 26

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To Advertise Call ◆ Kevin 518-598-3081 ◆ Mark 518-522-2644 ◆

Jim 518-857-9546 ◆ Email to: Ads@OurTowneNortheast.com

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FEATURED BUSINESS

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217 Remsen St ◆ Cohoes, NY 12047 ◆ (518) 237-2110

Marra’s Pharmacy...... Today’s Technologies with Yesterday’s Service Values In 1887 Joseph Marra and his wife Annunciata settled in Cohoes and started a Fruit and Vegetable store at 211 Remsen St. They had 11 children and everyone helped in the store.

On May 15, 1988 a fire which began behind the pharmacy engulfed the building and leveled it to the ground. Marra’s continued to operate in a very small store front across the street until James Marra, the the new building sixth child, attended was completed in Connecticut College November 1989 of Pharmacy and opening with a after graduating and great celebration working in many on November 9th, pharmacies he 1989. returned to Cohoes to open his pharmacy in October of 1931 at Marra’s continues to 217 Remsen St, next to the Fruit and Vegetable store. flourish under the leadership of John T McDonald III , grandson of James

providing the same personal service the Marra family has provided since 1887.

In June of 1973, James died Now in it’s 84th year, Marra’s Pharmacy continues to suddenly and his daughter, provide state of the art pharmacy services from Cohoes Barbara Marra McDonald throughout the Capital Region. Additionally Marra’s (UConn ’57) took over is your place for that home health care item to assist your loved one whether it is durable medical equipment or other household supplies. day to day management of the pharmacy. Her oldest son John T. McDonald III chose to pursue the family tradition by attending and graduating from the Albany College of Pharmacy in 1985.

To complete the s t o r y, M a r r a’s remains the spot to shop for cards and gifts for your family and friends!

Stop down and see for yourself why our customers say they feel like family when in our full service pharmacy.

Check them out at www.marrarx.com!

To Advertise Call ◆ Kevin 518-598-3081 ◆ Mark 518-522-2644 ◆

Jim 518-857-9546 ◆ Email to: Ads@OurTowneNortheast.com

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NEW YEAR!! NEW HOBBY!!

Happy New Year! Many of you have made some kind of New Year’s Resolution. Probably the most popular are losing weight or starting an exercise program. But why not consider starting a new hobby or resurrecting one that you’ve put on the back burner because “life” got in the way.

One of the most relaxing and popular hobbies is painting. When you paint all the worries and demands of everyday life just seem to vanish. You’re only focus is putting that paint on canvas and seeing “your world” come to life.

If you are new to painting or want to get back into it after a long hiatus, consider a Bob Ross painting class.

You may have seen the Bob Ross popular show the “Joy of Painting” on TV. His “Wet on Wet” technique uses unconventional brushes and oil paints to create beautiful and easy to learn Landscape paintings.

Bob frequently said “Anyone can do it” and it’s true.

His simple step by step technique was not designed with the fine artist in mind. It was designed for the everyday person who just wants to paint as a Hobby.

The Bob Ross painting method is taught by a certified Bob Ross Instructor with individual attention given to each student along the way. No student is left behind.

designed for the beginner and for those of who’d like to brush up on technique. The basic elements of a Bob Ross landscape painting are sky, water, mountains, land and trees. The first 3 weeks of the series will focus on learning and practicing the skills needed to create a specific element. Using all the skills learned in weeks 1 – 3 week 4 will be a complete landscape painting ready to frame and hang in your home.

If you’re looking for a new hobby and would like to start painting give Bob Ross a try. You’ll be surprised at what you can do and you’re family and friends will say “Wow!! You Did That!!!”

“All you need to paint is a few tools, a little instruction, and a vision in your mind.”

— Bob Ross

Beginning in March I will be offering a 4 week series on Landscape painting. This series is specifically

Janice Hotaling - Artist & Instructor

The Painting Bug Studio Located at 25 Bedford St, Cohoes, NY 12047

The Painting Bug You Can Paint!

Featuring

Classes

January Schedule:

Gray Mountain at Hobby Lobby Saturday January 3rd 10 am - 3 pm Haven In the Valley at the Painting Bug Studio Saturday January 17th 10 am - 3 pm

www.PaintingBug.com

To register Call Janice at 852-9160

To Advertise Call ◆ Kevin 518-598-3081 ◆ Mark 518-522-2644 ◆

Jim 518-857-9546 ◆ Email to: Ads@OurTowneNortheast.com

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621 Albany-Shaker Road Loudonville (518) 458.9274 www.colonie.org/LIBRARY Hudson Mohawk Bird Club: Gull Identification Workshop Gulls are easy to see, but ID-ing them is not always so easy to figure out. This workshop, on Monday January 5th at 7:00 PM, will combine a program with a local field trip to help develop gull identification skills. The program will include a photographic survey of identification features for commonlyencountered eastern North American gulls and an interactive question-and-answer session. We’ll emphasize learning all the variations in the really common gull species – Herring, Ringbilled and Great Black-backed – as the basis for recognizing rarer species such as Iceland, Glaucous, Lesser Black-backed, and others. The program will then be followed by a field trip on January 10th to work on applying the information discussed on gull identification. Presented by Gregg Recer and Will Raup.

Noon Book Review Features “Art & Climate: Intersections” Our First Noon Book Review this month is part of a venture called “Art & Climate: Intersections” – which is a joint collaboration between Ualbany and several Upper Hudson Libraries (see www.artandclimate.net for a schedule of all events). Dr. Christopher Thorncraft’s talk here last month on climate change was also part of that program. On Thursday, January 8th, Mary Beth Kolozsvary of Siena College’s Environmental Studies and Sciences Department will review a book that was named one of the ten best books of 2014 by the New York Times: The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert. From Booklist: “By burning fossil fuels, we are rapidly changing the atmosphere, the oceans, and the climate, forcing potentially millions of species into extinction. Five watershed events in the deep past decimated life on earth, hence the designation ‘Sixth Extinction’ for today’s humanpropelled crisis. To lay the groundwork for understanding this massive die-off, Kolbert crisply tells the stories of such earlier losses as the American mastodon and the great auk and provides an orienting overview of evolutionary and ecological science. She then chronicles her adventures in the field with biologists, botanists, and geologists investigating the threats against amphibians, bats, coral, and rhinos.

Intrepid and astute, Kolbert combines vivid, informed, and awestruck descriptions of natural wonders, from rain forests to the Great Barrier Reef, and wryly amusing tales about such dicey situations as nearly grabbing onto a tree branch harboring a fist-sized tarantula, swimming among poisonous jellyfish, and venturing into a bat cave; each dispatch is laced with running explanations of urgent scientific inquiries and disquieting findings. Rendered with rare, resolute, and resounding clarity, Kolbert’s compelling and enlightening report forthrightly addresses the most significant topic of our lives.” The review begins at 12:15 PM; bring your lunch if you are on lunch hour.

Noon Book Review: Thomas Merton Centenary On Wednesday, January 14, our Noon Book Review welcomes Walt Chura, O.F.S. – who will review Divine Discontent: The Prophetic Voice of Thomas Merton. About the book: “Thomas Merton’s best-selling spiritual autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, was one of the most influential books of the twentieth century….The 2015 centenary of Merton’s birth provides an opportunity to reconsider both his

international reputation and his startling relevance in today’s world. Merton was a Trappist monk, writer, contemplative, social critic, pacifist, jazz lover and (in the context of world faiths) ecumenist whose sudden, premature death in unexplained circumstances prompted a further surge of interest in the man and his work. His extensive writings, many only recently available, provide the basis for a fresh examination of his story, permitting Merton to speak for himself whenever possible, but enabling also an analysis of his abiding fascination and the discontents human and divine – that dominated so much of his life. The author inspires us to look again at our preconceived ideas about the natural world, the prevailing culture, abuses of power, questions of war and peace, contemplation and action, institutions and the freedom of the individual – and the search for God.” From our reviewer: “I studied Merton in graduate school with William H. Shannon, PhD, one of the founders of the International Thomas Merton Society. At Bill’s request I founded the Thomas Merton Society of the Capital Region in 1994. I have been writing, teaching and offering retreats on Merton ever since then.” The review starts at 12:15 PM; bring your lunch if you are on lunch hour.

Navigating Your Next Adventure: Managing Your Income in Retirement Tuesday, January 13th at 6:00 PM: a workshop for people who are thinking about retirement or who have recently retired.

The workshop introduces a number of ideas to help build a reasonable and sustainnable strategy for managing income and expenses during retirement. The workshop also covers how to plan upfront for concerns like inflation, health care expenses and market volatility, as well as how to prepare if things don’t go as expected. Presented by Frank Marchesini, Financial Advisor, at Edward Jones Investments in Loudonville, NY. Reservations are required. Call the information desk at 8100314 to register.

WW II Film Series Continues Our American Cinema and WW II series continues into 2015, hosted by Lenny Zapala – film expert and Director of the Menands Public Library. Our first four films were very well-received – as was Lenny’s introductions and comments on the films! Up first in 2015: on Thursday night, January 15th, at 6:30 PM, the 1941 classic Sergeant York, starring Gary Cooper. Sergeant York is the 1941 biographical film about one of the most-decorated American soldiers of WW I. Directed by Howard Hawks, it was also the highest-grossing film of the year. Based on the diary of Sergeant Alvin York, the film was nominated for ten Academy Awards – with Gary Cooper winning for Best Actor. Sergeant York is an important American film: the American Film Institute ranks the film 57th in the its “100 Most Inspirational American Movies” and its hero 35th in its “Top 50 Heroes in American Cinema.” Finally, Sergeant York was also selected the Library of Congress for preservation in the US National Film Registry as a film being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Upcoming: Thursday night, February 12th, at 6:30 PM: Wake Island; Thursday night, March 12th, at 6:30 PM: Casablanca; and on Thursday night, April 16th, at 6:30 PM: Sahara. As with all the films in the series, Lenny will be showing a newsreel and a short film from that era.

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To Groom or not to groom...

And daycare could be an answer!

During the winter months it’s very important to keep up with grooming your pets. There tends to be a misconception that grooming always means a haircut.

Most pet owners feel their dogs need a longer coat in the winter so prolong the time between groomings.

There is some truth in believing a longer coat helps to keep animals warm during the cooler months but the longer the coat the more grooming there needs to be in order to maintain a healthy coat.

A longer coat can mat easier, especially in wetness and snow. Also in winter months a pet’s coat can dry out. There are many wonderful treatments to help condition them. One we have offered that has made a tremendous difference is a hot oil treatment.

At a full service pet salon, a full grooming includes clipping and filing nails, cleaning ears, brushing teeth, going through the whole coat thoroughly, de-matting, bathing, fluff drying and any of the scissoring and maintenance you would like including a haircut if you prefer.

Daycare is another service that is highly recommend during winter months. Pets get cabin fever just as much as we do!

The social interaction they get with us is a loving family, the ability to pack with their own kind, play in groups and exercise to get their energy sufficed especially during winter months is great for both their

physical and mental well-being!

Make sure you interview the facilities you use to make sure your animals needs will be met. I highly recommend facilities that know the importance of separating breed temperament and size.

Cheers to the New Year!

Tracy Muscatello Pet Spas & Suites 1 Cerone Commercial Drive Colonie, NY 12205

To Advertise Call ◆ Kevin 518-598-3081 ◆ Mark 518-522-2644 ◆

Jim 518-857-9546 ◆ Email to: Ads@OurTowneNortheast.com

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