More than 3,500 Capital Region residents are expected to attend this year’s event which will benefit The Addictions Care Center of Albany, Inc. (ACCA), a community-based non-profit substance abuse treatment and prevention education provider.

Festivities will kick-off at 10 am with a unique performance by ventriloquist Sylvia Markson, immediately followed by music from the ever-popular Zucchini Brothers. Entertainment on the main stage will continue throughout the day with comic juggling by The Incredible Larry, followed by a Karaoke Idol competition just for kids!

A number of face painters and balloon artists will be available throughout the entire day. At the ACCA booth, children will have the opportunity to take [...]]]> http://www.albany.com/broadcast/2010/03/12/6th-northeast-chocolate-festival/ We are NY licensed real estate Brokerage Company based in Saratoga, NY licensed as I Smart Realty offering listing services at nominal fee, helping for sale by owners to sell their houses, giving buyers a larger inventory to shop from and much more.

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Albany could be getting a convention center! The agency who plans to build the center has just purchased more land where the building would be built.

The Albany Convention Center Authority, has agreed to pay $550,000 for about a third of an acre. Gavin Donohue, who chairs the board said this purchase brings us “one step closer to seeing the convention center become a reality”

The center’s estimated cost is about $220 million, and is being planned for the southern part of downtown Albany and will be a 300,000 square foot center.

Some say the center would kick start additional development in the area and others say the project isn’t worth the cost.

What are your thoughts?

With only 500 total tickets for sale at $100 each, the class hopes to raise $25,000 for The Open Door, with another $20,000 going to the grand prize ticket holder, followed by $3,000 and $2,000 to the second- and third-place winners respectively. The team is giving itself until April 15 to sell all tickets, at which point a drawing will take place at the Adirondack Sports Complex.

“I am humbled by the show of support from the community as a whole,” said Chaplain Bruce D. Hersey, director of [...]]]> http://www.albany.com/broadcast/2010/03/08/ldk-raffle/ The sun’s peeking out from behind the clouds and the air is a smidge warmer. At The Joyful Quilter, it’s time to start thinking about summer! And when we think about summer we think about having a Healthy, Joyful Heart.

The Healthy, Joyful Heart program is our way of inviting and encouraging all of us to take good care of ourselves. Maybe that means to take time out to just sit, or to sew a little more, or to take a walk, or to be sure to take those vitamins every day. Whatever we need to do to take care of ourselves, sometimes a little reward helps to get it done. So here’s the reward we’re offering this year:

When you sign up for the Healthy, Joyful Heart program between now and April 15, and pay the program fee of $55, by [...]]]> http://www.albany.com/broadcast/2010/03/08/joyful-quilter/ Schenectady, NY – Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady Co., Inc. launches its Spring building campaign for six Habitat houses, 3 new construction and 3 rehabs, with the help of a fundraiser scheduled for Sunday, April 18th, entitled, “Costume Ball Bowl-Athon.” The event’s intent is to let people have a good time for a great cause – building Habitat homes in Schenectady County.

The event will be held at Sportsman’s Bowl, located at 1652 Crane Street in Schenectady, and runs in two shifts from 1 to 3 PM, and 3 – 5 PM that day with registration beginning 1 hour before each shift starts. Costumes are not mandatory to participate, but can be themed to a team’s chosen name, and be as simple as matching t-shirts, if desired. A cash prize will be awarded to the team who raises the most money through sponsors by the end of the event. [...]]]> http://www.albany.com/broadcast/2010/03/05/schenectady-bowlathon/ Mechanicville, NY – Park 19 Cookies will be offering celebrities a taste of their famous Cinnamon Bun Cookie at this years Oscar ceremony. Park 19 was selectively chosen out of the many different brands to be featured in the gift bag. Overnight guests staying at the Four Seasons in Los Angeles will enjoy a taste from this upstate NY bakery.

For further information, contact Park 19 Cookies at 877.7.PARK19

“The teeth whitening procedure is quick and painless, with excellent results,” explains Dr. Lieberman, a Crown Council dentist located in Schenectady. “Most importantly, a few minutes in the chair can help touch a child’s life forever.”

The Smiles for Life Foundation is the children’s charity organization of the Crown Council, an organization of leading-edge dentists throughout North America. Each year over a four-month period, Crown Council dentists participating in the Smiles for Life campaign offer professional teeth whitening services at a [...]]]> http://www.albany.com/broadcast/2010/03/01/smiles-for-life/ February 24, 2010 – Latham, NY Renee Bast has been named to the position of Account Executive at Cool Insuring Agency, Inc.

“We are very pleased to have Renee join our team of insurance professionals,” said Chris Hagen, Vice President of Cool Insuring Agency, Inc. “Renee’s background and education offer Cool Insuring the right combination of skills and experience to provide excellent service to our current and prospective accounts in Upstate New York.”

Covering the Greater Capital District, Saratoga Springs, as well as the North Country, Bast will be responsible for analyzing the effectiveness of current coverage, obtaining renewal data, generating requests for proposals, and aggressively negotiating rates for experience rated and self-funded plans.

Previously employed by Empire BlueCross, Ms. Bast specialized in working with large municipalities and school district consortiums.

Ms. Bast holds an MBA with a [...]]]> http://www.albany.com/broadcast/2010/02/25/cool-insuring/