Albany, NY - Panera Bread is pleased to announce that the American Cancer Society is the recipient of funds raised through the Operation Dough-Nation® at area bakery-cafes in 2008. A check was presented to the organization for $26,141 on Tuesday, March 10, at the newest Panera Bread in the Capital District located on Wolf Road.

Through the Operation Dough-Nation® program, Panera Bread accepts cash donations from customers throughout the year at collection boxes in all bakery-cafes. The customer donations then receive a percentage match from Panera Bread. This is the third year that the American Cancer Society has partnered with Panera for the Operation Dough-Nation® program.

In addition to the funds that Panera Bread will continue to raise for the American Cancer Society through the Operation Dough-Nation program in 2009, all area bakery-cafes are currently selling co-branded ACS/Panera stainless steel coffee mugs for $7.99 with a $2 contribution per [...]

WEVERTOWN, NY (March 26, 2009) — North Woods Field Guides, Inc., based in Wevertown NY, announced this week that their informational nature guides are now available as downloadable applications on iPhone and iPod Touch.

“These educational nature guides are a valuable resource, providing information on various aspects of the outdoors,” said Jeff Greco, Founder of North Woods Field Guides, Inc. who has been offering plastic versions of the guides for nearly ten years. “This transition to the iPhone app means they’re now more portable and therefore more convenient than ever.”

Each guide offers information on a specific category of nature, helping the user identify anything from wildflowers and different types of trees to insects, animal tracks, fish varieties and more. There are illustrations for each, along with classification information and interesting facts. Greco stresses that these field guides are [...]

MISS NEW YORK ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCES NEW HOME AND CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP

Albany’s The Egg to serve as home to the Miss New York and Miss New York Outstanding Teen pageants. The organization also names Erin Kennedy as executive director amidst various other leadership changes.

Albany, NY—March 12, 2009: The Miss New York Organization has named Albany as the new home to the 2009 Miss New York and Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen pageants.

The events will be held June 25 - 27, 2009 at the Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre at The Egg, a premier performance center in Albany. Additionally, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Albany-City Center will host contestants and their families.

“We are very excited about moving the pageant to Albany,” said executive director of the Miss New York Organization, Erin Kennedy. “We hope the city [...]

Paintings created by youngsters who immigrated to the Capital Region from Iraq are on display until March 27 at the Albany Public Library (APL) on the second floor of the Main Library at 161 Washington Avenue. The public is invited to a reception honoring the artists on March 23 from 5 to 6 p.m. on the second floor of the Main Library.

The murals were created last fall at a workshop with American artist Claudia Lefko and Iraqi artist Thamir Dawood at the Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy. The children and teenagers created 36” x 50” murals on canvas depicting their thoughts and feelings about having to leave their beloved home country in a time of war and upheaval. The young Iraqi artists are part of a community of about 75 refugees who have resettled in the Capital Region during the past two years. Most of these refugees arrived from [...]

ALBANY, N.Y. — Albany’s Hudson 400th Celebration of Discovery features a variety of children’s activities and programs, all designed to engage young people on a journey to learn more about New York’s Capital City during the Quadricentennial celebration.

“Our special website for children and educators, www.albany1609.com, has some fun activities for children and families, plus information about our special educational programs,” said Michele Vennard, president and CEO of the Albany County Convention & Visitors bureau which operates the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center at the corner of Broadway and Clinton Avenue.

A new activity for children on the website is Historic Henry. At the website, children may download a drawing of Henry Hudson to color, paste on cardboard and cut out. A journal sheet accompanies Henry and the young explorers on four journeys to local attractions such as a park [...]

During the International Year of Astronomy 2009, Dudley Observatory will be sending a science educator to schools, museums, environmental education centers, and other venues to present hands-on programs designed to entice students and their families to explore their place in the universe.

The Stewart’s Holiday Match funds will be used for the development and presentation of programs to be used in conjunction with the celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009.

The Dudley Observatory wishes to thank Stewart’s Shops for their positive consideration to their request for a grant.

The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County has launched a 2009 Buy Local Directory to jump-start a regional economic recovery by encouraging the buying goods and services from local businesses.

“Everyone has the ability and responsibility to make a significant impact on the economic downturn by supporting their neighbor businesses that fuel the local economy”, said Peter L. Aust, president & CEO of the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County. “By a commitment to first trying to do business with the local companies listed in this directory, this area can continue to thrive and grow.”

The 96-page directory includes both an alphabetical and categorical listing of quality local businesses from accountants to window treatments. The publication also includes contact information for government officials, information on arts, entertainment, and recreation, community organizations, school districts, health services, and places of worship.

Copies of the [...]

The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County is offering a seminar series designed especially for individuals who are thinking about starting their own business or have just begun the process.

“Traditionally, when the economy appears uncertain, individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit decide to shape their own destinies and start a new business. The Chamber wants to give those new entrepreneurs the knowledge they need to avoid the costly mistakes that many people make when they are just starting out”, said Peter Aust, President & CEO of the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County.

The unique series consists of seven seminars on topics ranging from writing a business plan to monitoring cash flow, preparing budgets, and increasing profitability. The seminars have been developed with the input of both state and local business experts and will be presented by various professionals. StartUpSmart will end with a special [...]

Seraphim’s Keep recently opened it’s doors in Rensselear, NY, just minutes outside of Albany, exit 7 off the I-90.

Seraphim’s Keep was founded by Australian psychic, Shanon who has been a professional psychic and tarot card advisor for over 25 years. She is also an author and has created her own oracle from her art called the WORDS TO THE WISE ORACLE.

Shanon is joined by Leah Acosta a 25 veteran of the tarot, originally from New Mexico and developed the transpersonal tarot method for giving clear advise and guidance.

Both advisors are available at Seraphim’s Keep to give advice on any area of your life be it business, relationship or personal communication challenges.

There will also be tarot, meditation and other life skill classes at Seraphim’s Keep in the upcoming months.

Both Shanon and Leah [...]