May 2006 Archives

Best of the Capital Region

For the third year in a row, I offer up my own “Best of” categories. Here they are in no particular order. We’ll start with entertainment.

Best show on TV—Grey’s Anatomy. If only they had spelled Grey with an ‘A’ then I could buy all their t-shirts and hats, wear them around town and really look like a geek.

Best actor on the planet—Philip Seymour Hoffman. Anyone who can play Dusty in “Twister”, kiss Mark Wahlberg in “Boogie Nights” and then become Truman Capote flawlessly deserves an Oscar.

Best place to see the “Shawshank Redemption”—On TNT every night following 22 straight hours of “Law and Order”. “Dum, Dum”. (My attempt to make that “Law and Order” sound.)

Best local band to raise a pint to—Hair of the Dog.

Best local band to dance to—The Burners.

Best local band that should be a national sensation —Sirsy.

Best thing about Chinese food—No matter where I get it or how much I order it’s always ready in 10 minutes.

Best thing about eating at Mr. Subb—The potato nuggets.

Best thing about eating at Subway—Smelling the fresh rolls when you walk in.

Best thing about eating at Applebee’s—Telling your server it’s your friend’s birthday (when it’s not), and then watching their face as the whole wait staff comes out clapping and singing. Priceless.

Best thing about having young children—At 43, you can act like an idiot and run around with a diaper on your head and no one bats an eye.

Best thing about having old children—At 83, you can act like an idiot and run around with a diaper on your head and no one bats an eye.

Best way to impress a child—Tell them you met the Wiggles and actually ate lunch next to them. (I did recently in Florida)

Best way to embarrass a child—When you drop them off at school beep the horn, stick your head out of the sunroof and yell, “I love you so much.”

Best way to make a child feel special even though they are humiliated—Same answer.

Best way to lose weight—Stop trying to lose weight. Just eat a little less, walk a little more and keep bad food out of the house. It’s hard to eat rocky road ice cream if it’s six miles away at the store.

Best way to get smarter—Turn off the TV. Pick up a book.

Best book I’ve ever read—To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Best book I’ve ever read to my children—Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara Joosse.

Best book I should pick up more often—The Bible.

Best job in the Capital Region you don’t want—Morning TV news anchor. Some of them go in to work at 1am, slave all night, and just when they are ready to collapse they have to smile and act chipper at 5am. No thanks.

Best place to see a morning anchor shaking uncontrollably while repeating over and over again: “It’s time again for traffic and weather on the 9’s”—The local Starbucks counter five minutes after his shift ends.

Best way to lose your job on morning TV—One morning, just for kicks, deliver the entire newscast doing your best Napoleon Dynamite impersonation. If you are over 40 and have no idea what I’m talking about, ask your kids to do it for you. It’s flippin’ hilarious. By the way, Vote for Pedro!

Best way to meet a stranger you find attractive— Stare at him or her for five seconds and when they return the glance, smile.

Best way to make a stranger take out a restraining order against you—Stare at him or her for five minutes and never stop smiling.

Best pick-up line for a guy —“Do you mind if I stand here and keep all the jerks from hitting on you.”

Best pick-up line for a girl—“Is it just me or is “Caddyshack” the funniest movie ever made?”

Best pick-up line from a movie—“You are my density,” from “Back to the Future”.

Best piece of career advice from a movie—“Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son,” from “Animal House”.

Best time to rob your neighbor’s upstairs bedroom—Sunday night when the “Soprano’s” are on. Trust me, they are downstairs watching Tony.

Best place to run into an actual cast member from the “Soprano’s”—Siro’s restaurant in August. I saw the actor who plays Furio three times last year.

Best place to spend $300 on a hotel that normally costs $99—any hotel in Saratoga in August.

Best place to take the kids and make them smile on a rainy day—The mall pet store. If you ask nice they’ll let you play with a puppy.

Best place to feel terrible for a dog—The same pet store when they put the puppy back in the cage.

Best place to spend $2,000 more than you should on a puppy—Same pet store. Ten minutes later.

Best place to get a dog if you really want one—The Humane Society.

Best place to be made to feel as if you’re a thief—Any gas station that requires you to pre-pay for your gas at 10am in the morning.

Best place to see a thief steal $50 in gas—The same gas station an hour after they suspend the ‘pre-pay policy’ and start trusting people again.

Best way to get out of doing laundry if you’re a guy —Volunteer to do your wife/girlfriend’s laundry and throw a bright red shirt in with her whites. Trust me, it’s the last time you’ll ever have to touch the washing machine.

Best way to make babies cry—Put them on the lap of Santa or the Easter bunny at the mall and try to take a happy picture.

Best way to see parents cry—Watch them as they find out that little 4 x 6 picture with Santa Claus costs $14.95. Cheap frame not included.

Best thing you can do for a friend (if you’re a female)—Remind her on the 23rd of each month to do a self-breast exam.

Best thing you can do for a friend (if he’s a guy)— Remind him that just because the stuff on the menu only costs a buck does not mean he should eat fast food every night.

Best way to get into heaven—Do something really nice and don’t tell a soul. If you take credit from anyone it doesn’t count.

Best way to get into hell—Three words: tequila, salt, lime.

Best way to make a friend—Sit with someone who’s all alone.

Best way to lose a friend—Judge them.

Best way to meet an actual Judge— Tequila, salt, lime.

I’d like to close by telling you from the bottom of my heart that I truly love the Capital Region. I was born and raised here, and for me this will always be a special place that offers the “best” of everything. Including a special magazine that allows us to share a few moments together on this back page each month. Growing up I had so many friends who couldn’t wait to get out of here. All I ever thought about was getting home.

John Gray is a Fox23 News anchor and contributing writing at the Troy Record. He can be reached at johngray@fox23news.com

At the end of this month we celebrate Memorial Day—a national day honoring soldiers who died while defending our country. It was officially proclaimed a holiday on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Though there are many cities and towns that claim to be the birthplace for Memorial Day, President Lyndon Johnson officially proclaimed Waterloo, NY as the birthplace in May 1966. Wearing red poppies on this day is a way to honor those who died for our country.

Now more than ever we should pause to honor these soldiers. We’re all aware that there’s a war going on. Everyday we hear news of another fallen solider. Whether that person is from Alabama or New York, someone you know or don’t know, it’s still heartbreaking to hear.

For some people, the war is a distant event, going on in a place half a world away. For veterans and those who have husbands, wives, sons, daughters and friends fighting, war takes on a different meaning.

Then there are the veterans. Last month, the Town of Bethlehem lost Captain Timothy Moshier when the helicopter he was in crashed while he was on routine air patrol in Iraq.
Living and working in Delmar, I saw the crowds of people, the lines of traffic, the media, the fire and police officials. All were dressed in their finest on the day of his funeral. Seeing this in person, rather than on the news, made it all the more real. Gone is a 25-year old husband. A father. A son.

Many people look forward to Memorial weekend because it means a three-day weekend. This May 29th, think of it as more than just an occasion for picnics and barbeques; think of it as a time to honor the soldiers, young and old, who have given their lives for this country. After all, they’re not just fighting for their country. They’re fighting for yours.

Enjoy!

Mary Beth DeCecco
marybeth@capitalregionliving.com

a Saratoga treasure

Overall rating on a scale of 1-10
Service 6 •Food - 8 •Ambiance - 10 •Price - $$$

By Victoria Moran

When Hattie's Chicken Shack opened in 1938 by the late Hattie Austin it offered Southern homestyle food 24 hours a day. Since then, their food genre has remained the same, though the name has been shortened, as has the hours.

My husband and I visited Hattie’s on one of those very chilly evenings that ushered in spring. They may not have been expecting the crowd that came in, because they seemed a bit understaffed. It took some time to get a waiter to the table, which is unusual for this very good restaurant. There are about 12 indoor tables and more in the courtyard area for warm weather dining.

We started with mojito’s (a Cuban drink made with rum and mint). Though the season was wrong for such a great summer drink, it was still perfect! Hattie’s generally has a good assortment of unique beers from Louisiana, but since Hurricane Katrina, they are unable to offer them regularly.

Appetizers include southern delights such as catfish fingers, chicken livers, hush puppies and Louisiana crab cakes. We passed on an appetizer, though, because they give you a hearty basket of biscuits and corn bread. They also serve you a small salad with their fabulous homemade salad dressing, an apple cider vinaigrette. This dressing is one of those recipes that you want to request from Gourmet Magazine in their request section—it is truly that good.

As huge fans of any New Orleans style food, it is always hard to choose what to eat. They have Jambalaya, Catfish, Red Beans and Rice, Jerk Chicken, and of course, Gumbo. The Gumbo du jour changes each day. On this day, it was Andouille and shrimp. However, we were in Hattie’s, so one of us has to get their famous fried chicken, otherwise voodoo gods would seek revenge.
For those familiar with Hattie’s, you know that it’s truly the best place to go for fried chicken outside of the Deep South. It was perfectly fried; not at all greasy. Start with a fork, but don’t hesitate to use your fingers! The portions are very large, allowing enough chicken to share with Dan, and still bring some home for lunch the next day. My side dish choices were mashed potatoes and collard greens. The greens, a favorite of mine, were outstanding and had a nice vinegar bite to them.

Dan opted for the Red Beans and Rice, which he loved (what’s not to love when you are stealing your wife’s chicken too?). For an additional kick he added a few drops of Hattie’s own Louisiana Hot Sauce, which is on each table. Often, when ordering Red Beans and Rice the red beans are under or over cooked, but here they are cooked to perfection. His side choices were succotash and candied yams.

We both would highly recommend either of these selections or a combination of both which is available as well.

Some of the uniqueness of Hattie’s is the dining room itself. There are autographed pictures of the many celebrities that have dined there, as well as historical information about the founder and the early years of the restaurant. It gives you a sense of a great food legacy and one outstanding woman who started the phenom of Hattie’s. The last line of a story about Hattie herself reads: “Hattie’s is legendary and continues to thrive and carry on in the tradition of great food, ambience and wonderful hospitality”.

The current owners, Jasper and Elizabeth Alexander, certainly seemed to have done a great job keeping this legacy restaurant thriving.

Total price before tip $46.99.

Hattie’s is located at 45 Phila Street in Saratoga Springs. Hours are: Wednesday-Saturday 5pm-10pm. During the summer they are open seven days a week. For more information call 584.4790.

What really scares hotel managers? Fire. Just ask Kathy Tabora, General Manager of the Holiday Inn Express on Western Avenue in Albany. When employees alerted her to the presence of smoke coming from a room, she immediately took action.

Upon entering the room, Tabora discovered a group of young adults making hundreds of hamburgers on their hibachi grill to sell at a Phish concert later that day.
Tabora was stunned, to say the least. But she remained composed, walked over to the window, threw open the curtain and gestured to the picnic tables outside. The group scurried away, finishing their enterprising project outdoors.

In the end, the “fire” was no big deal —just part of a hotel manager’s job. In fact, most of what a hotel manager does involves putting out “fires”—big and small. You could say that a hotel manager must be a jack-of-all-trades.

For instance, a guest once called the front desk to complain of a barking dog. Tabora went to the room, discovered a very large dog and brought him back down to the front desk area.
“He just wanted to be around people,” she said, referring to herself as a “total sap”, especially when it comes to animals.

A few minutes later, the same guest called again, still complaining of the barking. Perplexed, Tabora went back to the room, but this time checked under the bed where she found a very small dog, the real “troublemaker” of the two. He, too, was brought to the front desk area. She left behind a note to let the owners know where they could find their dogs.

Dogs aren’t the only ones who get lost, either. Many people—and not just hotel guests—call the Holiday Inn Express for directions—to anywhere and everywhere.

One guest called because she couldn’t find “Spearl Street” in Albany. After going back and forth with the woman, it finally hit Tabora that she was looking for South Pearl Street.
And there was a man who called looking for directions to the Palace Theatre. Turns out he had tickets to a show.

In New York City.

Take that, Mapquest.

These incidents are just a few of many that Tabora has encountered in her 18 years in the hotel business. It’s a tough job, one that requires up to 55-60 hours a week, holidays and weekends, but she wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I decided to spend the day with Tabora, and see what life is like as a hotel manager.

I arrived at the hotel a little after 8am on a Thursday morning. Tabora was in the breakfast bar area (the formal name is Fresh Express Start Breakfast Bar), serving coffee and mingling with hotel guests. The breakfast area has the feeling of a homey kitchen—there is an island surrounded by counters with breakfast items and drinks displayed and about a dozen or so tables with chairs so cushy you don’t want to get up.

In other countries, Tabora told me, being General Manager of a hotel is considered “very glamorous”. It is a good job in the United States, but there is nothing glamorous about it. Having the title doesn’t excuse her from getting her hands dirty.

On any given day, Tabora can be found cleaning rooms, serving breakfast, or doing laundry. That’s in addition to the administrative duties she is in charge of—hiring, training, marketing, overseeing staff, etc.

“We all know each other’s jobs,” said Tabora, of the eight other managers. “The only thing I can’t do is fix an air conditioner.”

I wouldn’t bet on that.

Albany native
Tabora, an Albany native (and a proponent for the city and its many offerings), was born and raised on North Lake Avenue and currently resides not too far away on New Scotland Avenue. She is the daughter of South American immigrants who started the South American Spanish Association 35 years ago. Tabora is currently president of the group, which has approximately 300 members.

Her love of the hotel industry came while she was attending Siena College as an English major.
“I took a part-time job at the Holiday Inn on Wolf Road and fell in love with the business,” she said. She started out working at the front desk and was quickly promoted to supervisor. A promotion to assistant manager soon followed.

The Holiday Inn Express, ranked number one in the region in customer service and number 42 out of 1,200 in the country, is owned by Michael Hoffman of Turf Hotels, who owns three other hotels in the area—two Holiday Inn’s and the soon-to-open Homewood in Albany.
“This industry will get under your skin,” she said, laughing.

After spending seven years at the Wolf Road location, she moved to her current location at 1442 Western Avenue. (Capital Region natives will know it as the spot of the former Tom Sawyer Motel.)

“Our customers have watched me grow up as the general manager,” she said. And many times, Tabora has been a part of her customer’s lives and the lives of their children. In fact, she has been privy to details about their lives that other people might consider “too much information”.

A typical day
Working in the hospitality business means every day is an adventure. Tabora works six days a week, arriving anywhere between 7:30am-9pm and leaving between 5pm-8pm. After checking her emails and voicemails, she adheres to her philosophy of “MBWA”, which means “Manage By Walking Around”. Her first stop is the front desk to see if any complaints need to be handled, and then she checks in on housekeeping, maintenance and the breakfast bar, helping out where needed. She also walks around the hotel and inspects rooms.

“It’s not what you expect; it’s what you inspect,” said Tabora, quoting owner Hoffman’s catch phrase.

“Cleanliness is huge,” she said. “People get bogged down with fluff like free long distance or free Internet, when what really matters is that a hotel needs to be clean.”

After a tour of the hotel, which included the back offices, laundry room, the pool and fitness room, I sat in on an impromptu interview for a housekeeping position.

Tabora started out by telling the young woman the hourly rate ($7.50), then asked a few questions about her previous job at a fast food restaurant—How did you deal with customers who weren’t happy with their meal? Have you ever been unsure of how to do something in your previous job? If so, how did you solve it? These were followed by questions related to the industry—Have you stayed in a hotel before? How long do you think it takes to clean a hotel room? How would you ensure customer service?

The interview was quick, lasting only a few minutes. I asked Tabora what she looks for in a potential employee.

“Experience isn’t necessary,” she said. “I look for someone who has a minimum of one year of consistent work in the same place.”

Personality is also crucial. “I can train a person to do any job, but I can’t give that person a personality.”

According to Tabora, there are “great housekeepers” and there are “good housekeepers”.
A great housekeeper will make a connection with the guests without seeing them. For example, if a guest turns the heat up, a great housekeeper will acknowledge that and leave it, while a good housekeeper will return it to where it was. A great housekeeper will leave things the way a guest left them or provide extra towels if she notices that there is a family of four in the room.

Currently, there are nine housekeepers, but Tabora is hiring four more for the upcoming summer season (in fact, she had employee orientation later that afternoon). A housekeeper’s workday is 8.5 hours and he or she is responsible for cleaning 16 rooms a day, in 30 minutes time.

Linens ‘n things
Fresh, clean, white towels neatly hanging on towel racks in a hotel room are always a welcome sight. And then you take a shower and those nicely folded towels end up straggling from the shower rod, strewn across the bed or dangling from a doorknob. If you ever wondered if there is a right or wrong way to fold towels, here’s your chance to find out. Once back in the laundry room, Tabora showed me how it’s done.

A large towel is folded in thirds, width wise and then in half. The same goes for the bathmat and hand towel, while washcloths are folded into triangles. Easy enough. (Incidentally, working in the laundry room is labor intensive. Between 8am-5pm every day, there is the non-stop whir of industrial washers and dryers. About 60 sheets are washed per hour. Imagine having to transfer that many wet sheets into the dryer dozens of times a day? It’s a workout in itself!)
My fun was only just beginning. We proceeded to a guest room so I could learn the “art” of making a bed. The room wasn’t left too messy—aside from an unmade bed, everything else seemed in order. Ever the germaphobe, I donned the optional rubber gloves and stripped the queen sized bed as per Tabora’s instructions. The bedspread and blanket were moved onto the couch; the sheets and pillowcases onto the floor.

Unless there is a noticeable stain on a bedspread or the blanket, most hotels do not wash them on a daily basis. Instead, Tabora explained, the “triple sheeting system” is used. This means that the blanket is sandwiched between two flat sheets, so that it never really touches your body.

“Everything on a bed that touches your body is washed just for you,” she said.
After making sure the sheets are wrinkle-free and pulled tight, we had to tuck them into the bottom corners, creating “hospital corners”. I’ll be honest: Tabora had to redo my side. I just couldn’t get the hang of it.

Next came the bedspread, then we put fresh pillowcases on the pillows, fluffed them up, and viola: a newly made bed! To my astonishment, however, Tabora stripped the bed (again!), saying that if a housekeeper had done this kind of work, it wouldn’t have been acceptable.
Well, I knew it. I would never hack it as a housekeeper.

Read below to learn more about Tabora.
Q: What is the most common complaint from guests? The most common complaint is related to the heating and cooling system or a tub that might be draining too slowly. That’s great, considering the scope of what the complaints could be.

Q: How many employees are there in total? We have 34 employees who speak a total of 14 different languages.

Q: How many rooms? There are 121 rooms, including four suites. In total there are 189 beds.

Q: What is the busiest time of year? May through October. Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday since most people travel.

Q: Who is your typical hotel guest? Our demographic is male. Most of the business we get is 65 percent repeat and is a combination of business and leisure. Many business people are in town for jobs relating to the government, technology or are on extended-stay business trips.

Q: Where do they come from? Most people drive from downstate and New Jersey, others come from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Western, NY and Ohio.

Q: How often does the hotel update their look? There are standards we have to follow from Holiday Inn Express, but typically we update our look every five years. Last spring we updated the entire first floor public space with new tile, carpet, furniture, wallpaper and artwork. Holiday Inn Express just established a new linen program offering a “fresh, clean, solution.” Every bed has a new duvet blanket, a decorative top sheet, a flat and fitted sheet, a throw and four pillows—two soft and two firm.

Q: What things have been left behind in the rooms? Pillows, televisions, video games, jewelry, a groom’s tuxedo, cameras, books, cash and cell phone charges—we have four boxes of them. A housekeeper once discovered wedding cake on the ceiling from a wedding party gone wild.

Q: What things typically “go missing” from a room? The most common things are coffee makers and irons. We expect things will be taken, but there is very minimal theft. I give guests a large amount of trust, and in general they are honest.

Q: What is the most challenging part of your job? It really depends on the day. But, mainly it’s keeping the employees informed with changes. We have quarterly hotel-wide meetings where I go over any issue, especially privacy, which is huge right now. Fire safety and security are always ongoing issues.

Q: What do you like best about your job? I love working the front desk. It’s my favorite part of the job. If I’m having a stressed day, I go to the front desk as an escape.

Q: Do you ever have thoughts of working at an upscale hotel or a resort? Sometimes the glamour of a Vegas hotel or a Ritz Carlton is appealing, but I don’t want to leave the guests. They are what make this job fun. Plus, Mike Hoffman is an amazing man to work for.

Q: What advice would you give someone who is interested in this industry? If you love people and like being hospitable, then this is your business. If you need things to be exact and the same everyday, don’t get a job in a hotel.

Q: Do you think a degree in Hotel & Restaurant management is needed to succeed in the business? No. In this business you can work your way up. You don’t necessarily need an education.

Q: If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing? I’d be a journalist or published author. I have written several short stories.

By Judy Torel

In the past decade obesity has become epidemic in our country—not only for adults, but children as well. Most people use a scale weight to monitor body fat, but this measurement does not accurately depict body fat levels. Many people may be within a healthy weight according to charts, yet have an unhealthy percentage of body fat relative to muscle, bone, organs and water levels. How do you know if you are over fat if the scale does not directly measure fat levels?

Calculation equations
The easiest, most accessible way to assess if you are over fat is to use calculation equations combined with a few basic girth measurements. The two commonly used equations that are simple to calculate are Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Hip to Waist Ratio.

BMI determines a ratio of body weight to height and then provides an interpretation as to whether your body weight is too high relative to your height. The assumption is that people with a higher ratio have higher, unhealthy levels of body fat. The formula for BMI is:
BMI = weight in pounds x 703
(height in inches) x (height in inches)

Healthy range of BMI is 18.5-24.9. If your BMI is between 25 to 29.9, you are considered overweight. A BMI over 30 is considered obese.
There is one problem with the BMI measurement. Athletes, or individuals with higher muscle mass relative to height will find their BMI computation may place them in the overweight or obese category. The reason is that this equation assumes the higher weight ratio is due to higher body fat levels, but this is not always the case.

The second calculation equation that is easily performed is the waist to hip ratio, a comparison of the waist size relative to hip size. The higher the ratio the more abdominal fat a person is storing and the higher the risk of illness. Abdominal fat is linked with many chronic diseases and is particularly dangerous to health.

To determine waist to hip ratio, use a measuring tape and measure the smallest part of your torso between your lowest rib and your navel. Then measure the widest section of your buttocks keeping your feet together. (It is best to have a second person take these measurements for increased accuracy).

Waist to Hip Ratio = waist measurement
Hip measurement
A ratio of >= .95 for women and > = .86 for men is considered too high.

Both of these equations are easy to perform and can be used in combination with the scale weight to assess whether you are in a category of fatness that is considered overweight or obese. These equations do not, however, determine the actual amount of fat on
the body.

Methods for measuring body fat
Some people want to go beyond knowing if they fall into a category of overfat/obesity and want to know an actual measurement of a percentage of body fat. This can be helpful if you are beginning a program to lose fat and want to track your success. The scale does not accurately determine fat loss. Someone who is losing weight on the scale may actually be under eating protein, not exercising and be losing muscle weight more than fat. It is also very common for people to show a decrease on the scale that is mostly water weight and not fat. Direct measurements of body fat can help provide valuable information so that the weight being lost is definitely fat.

Bioelectrical Impedance has fast become a method the average person can use to measure fat percent and pounds. Bio-Impedance measures electrical signals as they pass through fat, muscle and water in the body. Laboratory research has determined the exact speeds of which an electrical current will pass through these various tissues of the body. By measuring the speed of the electrical impulse between two electrodes and plugging these speeds into complex scientific equations, body fat can be determined.

Many scales are available in retail centers that measure scale weight and through bio-impedance, they also measure body fat levels. Having both measurements allows a person to not only assess weight loss success, but can also insure that the weight is coming from unhealthy levels of body fat.

The problem with this measurement is that hydration levels can dramatically affect the accuracy of the fat reading. Your measurement can be inaccurate if you exercise and sweat before the measurement or if you’re a woman and measure your fat level at a different point in your menstrual cycle. In these circumstances and others, this measurement may not always be accurate.

The use of skin fold calipers, also known as anthropometry measurement, is potentially the most accurate and assessable measurement of body fat for the average person. This method is based on the assumption that fat levels at specific sites reflect a constant proportion of fat through out the body. These measurements are often performed in fitness centers and medical settings. Using hand-held calipers that exert a standard pressure, various sites on the body are measured (typically 3-9 sites). These measurements are then applied to standardized equations and a body fat percentage is determined based on the sum of the measurements. To date there are over 3,000 equations for using this method to determine body fat. There are different equations for children and individuals of different ethnicities. Different populations of people have different fat distribution patterns, which is why various equations have been created.

Although this method has been shown to be a valuable and credible method, its accuracy is sometimes subjective. The precision of the clinician taking the measurements and the quality of the calipers makes a difference in the accuracy of the measurement. Home use calipers are less accurate then those used by an accredited technician. This method is also more difficult to perform on very obese individuals when the skin folds of fat are larger than the calipers can accommodate.

Other measures
With the development of science and technology, we now have several laboratory methods for measuring body fat. Hydrodensity weighing requires an individual to be submerged in a special designed water tank and compares weight on land to weight under water. The densities of muscle and bone are higher than water and the density of fat is lower than water. Through calculations, fat pounds can be determined using this method. Other methods including Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), Near Infrared Interactance (NIR), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Total Body Electrical Conductivity (TOBEC), and Computed Tomography (CT) use various energy forces to determine body fat percentages. The problem with these methods is that they are expensive and inaccessible to most people.

Final thoughts
The scale weight does not accurately determine body fat levels or fat loss during a weight loss program. Using simple equations and measurements, you can determine if you are in a category of over fat or obese. Finding a qualified technician can help you to determine the percentage and pounds of fat on your body and provide you with a tracking method to ensure you are reducing fat if you are on a weight loss program.

Due to the rising levels of obesity in our children, I strongly suggest that a body fat measurement be part of the evaluation process to determine the health of a child.

Judy Torel is a therapist/personal trainer with a Master’s degree in psychology. She is certified through the American College of Sports Medicine as a fitness trainer and works out of Planet Fitness and Deb's Sweat Shop Extension. She can be reached at JTOREL2263@yahoo.com

By Raymond F. Angelini, Ph.D.

In my last column, I wrote about the central role that relationships play in our lives. We all want deeply meaningful and mutually satisfying relationships, but the reality is that all relationships ultimately will end, either through breakup, divorce, death, or other circumstances. All of us will ultimately face the ending of a relationship, and for most of us, we will experience this multiple times throughout our lifetime.

Whether we were only in a relationship for a few months, or married for 50 years, breaking up is indeed hard to do. However, the good news is that you can successfully recover from a relationship breakup. What follows are seven tips that I have used with my clients over the years to help them survive a breakup.

1. Express your feelings completely
When relationships end, we are often bombarded by a myriad of intense and conflicting emotions. Sadness, fear, pain, depression, and relief are just some of the more common feelings experienced. We are often reluctant to embrace our darker emotions such as sadness and anger, fearing they will overwhelm us. This is the farthest thing from the truth. The only way out of the painful emotions is to go directly through them. The detours we attempt to take around our painful emotions only serve to prolong them. So, allow yourself to completely embrace these darker emotions because once you do, you will begin to feel better.

2. Stay focused on the present
One of the greatest challenges when dealing with breakups is to either lament the past or dread the future. Take one day at a time, and sometimes, one minute at a time. Staying focused on the present is critical to working through loss more quickly.

3. Stay positive
It is so easy to get absorbed in negativity when a relationship ends. Strive to stay positive and focus on what is good in your life, rather than what is bad.

4. Be forgiving
It is very easy to hold onto anger and resentment in the wake of a relationship breakup. When a relationship ends, strive to be “better” not “bitter”. Forgive both yourself and your ex-partner, for that is the quickest and best way to start the next phase of your life. Remember, forgiveness benefits the forgivee more than it does the one being forgiven.

5. Try to understand what went wrong
We all enter relationships with the best intentions, but often we go in with many unconscious motivations. Things like fear of being alone, a need to be wanted, or material security are some of the more common unhealthy reasons for choosing a partner. Speaking to a therapist about these issues is often helpful. Remember, if you ignore history, you are doomed to relive it!

6. Surround yourself with supportive people
When a relationship ends, we need the support of family and friends. Having a supportive network can speed your recovery from a breakup and restore your faith in humanity.

7. Practice radical self-care
Anytime we go through difficult times in our lives, we need to take especially good care of ourselves. In addition to eating well, exercising, and getting sufficient rest, try to add in some extras that make you feel nurtured, such as yoga, massage, meditation, and other activities designed to calm and nurture. Remember, pain is necessary; suffering is optional. If you follow these steps, you will likely work through the pain of a breakup quicker and greatly minimize the suffering.

Dr. Raymond Angelini of New Horizons Coaching has been in private practice as a clinical psychologist and business & personal coach for over 15 years specializing in helping people have more fulfilling careers and relationships. For more information visit www.newhorizonscoaching.com or email him at newhorizons@spa.net.

Once a bustling city leading the nation in iron and steel production, the City of Troy fell upon hard times following the First World War and the Depression. By the 1970s, businesses closed up as people abandoned the city for a quiet life in the suburbs.

All that has changed. Over the past few years, the city has experienced tremendous growth. Not only have new shops, restaurants and cafes popped up, but there also is a vibrant antiques district on River Street. In addition, seasonal events draw hundreds of people downtown, such as the Troy Victorian Stroll and the River Street Festival. And, of course, there is the culture. In addition to the Arts Center of the Capital Region and the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy is home to NYSTI, the New York State Theatre Institute, an internationally acclaimed professional and educational regional theatre that performs at Schacht Fine Arts Center at Russell Sage College.

But you don’t need to go to a play or visit the Music Hall to appreciate the vibrancy of Troy. The architecture alone brings the city to life—there are many examples of Federalist, Greek Revival, Idealist, Victorian Gothic, and Baroque architecture. Walk down River Street, Second Street or Broadway and look up (but watch your step!). You can almost imagine the people who used to live in the buildings and the businesses that once occupied the storefronts. Hollywood has also recognized Troy: “The Age of Innocence”, “Time Machine”, “Ironweed” and “Scent of a Woman” were all filmed here.

In addition to having some of the finest 19th century architecture in the United States, Troy also has one of the most concentrated selections of Tiffany windows in a city its size. The windows depict religious, historic and pastoral themes.

In recent years, more and more people - young newcomers to seasoned adults alike - have come to recognize Troy as an excellent place to experience urban living. Come, tour this walkable city. You just might decide to stay!
—Mary Beth DeCecco

A RiverSpark Walking Tour

This self-guided walking tour begins at the RiverSpark Visitor Center in downtown Troy and includes an exciting cross-section of more than 200 years of history. Walking time to complete the route is approximately 1 hour; not counting stops to enjoy our special shops and restaurants.

Troy is a city that grew by being in the right place at the right time. Located at the head of navigation on the Hudson River, the city took full advantage of its position at the crossroads of major transportation routes.

By 1825 the primary water level routes to the west and the north—the Erie and the Champlain Canals—joined the Hudson River near Troy. In the next 50 years, a vast network of railroads fanned out from the city in every direction.

Trojan industries harnessed the waterpower of streams flowing into the Hudson. The diverse skills of local workers transformed raw materials into products that were shipped around the world. For most of the 19th century, Troy was nationally known for its iron and steel industries and its shirt and collar factories, as well as its bells, its surveying instruments, its educational pioneers, and its amazing record of industrial innovation. Trojan workers were the first in America to use the Bessemer steel-making process, and the first to “sanforize” (preshrink) cloth.

The commercial districts and residential areas of Troy reflect the success of these industries and reveal a tradition of diverse cultural resources. This walking tour will introduce you to downtown Troy and some of its rich history.

Take the time to explore our community and discover its many treasures. Additional information about historic museums, special events, and other local attractions can be found in the RiverSpark Visitor Center at 251 River Street.

* Open to the public
• Handicapped Accessible

Monument Square
The open space at the intersection of Broadway, Second and River Streets was once known as Washington Square. It has always been a public gathering place for speeches and parades. The commercial buildings originally had offices or small factories on the upper floors and shops at street level, much as you see today.

1. Riverspark Visitor Center, 251 River Street
Exhibits, models, and an award-winning multi-media production introduces visitors to the rich social and industrial history and diverse interrelationships among the seven communities of the Hudson Mohawk Urban Cultural Park, known as RiverSpark. Information is available about local attractions, special events and other tourist services. * •

2. Soldiers & Sailors Monument, River Street & Second Street (1891)
Dedicated during Rensselaer County’s Centennial, this monument honors local citizens who fought in American battles. During the Civil War, the iron foundries of South Troy produced railroad rails and spikes, as well as most of the horseshoes used by the Union army. Look for the plaque depicting the famous naval battle between the South’s Merrimac and the Union ship Monitor whose iron plates and rivets were also made here.

3. City Hall (1975), Monument Square
This building replaced the City Hall on Third Street that burned down in 1938. from the mid-1800s to the 1940s, steamboat passengers gathered on the docks behind these buildings to board elegant nightboats heading down river to New York City. * •

4. Hall-Rice Building, River & First Streets (1871)
Local lawyer Benjamin Hall hired New York City architects Calvert Vaux and Frederick Withers to create this imposing High Victorian Gothic building. It originally contained offices for lawyers, insurance agents and other professionals. The top floor and towers were removed after a disastrous fire in 1913.

5. 225 River Street
This building once housed the Troy Sentinel newspaper. In 1823 they were the first to publish the well-known poem that begins, “T’was the night before Christmas.” The daughter of the rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (#16) brought a handwritten copy home after hearing author Clement C. Moore read it to his family in New York City while she was visiting them.

River Street
River Street was Troy’s first commercial street. The brick storefronts follow the curve of the river behind them, with another floor below street level. 159-167 River Street (c. 1835) are the oldest buildings on the street. The loading doorways on the upper floors are typical warehouse construction for the period. Today many of these buildings have been restored as housing.

6. “Banker’s Row”, First Street between River Street & State Street
This block earned is nickname in the early 1800s when many local banks had their offices here. It was a convenient location, close to the warehouses on River Street, the businesses downtown, and the banker’s homes on First and Second Street.

7. Cast-Iron Storefronts: 7, 9, 11 and 15 First Street
Cast iron storefronts were frequently used in cities to imitate elaborately carved stonework and to provide fire protection. Local iron foundries made the iron facades for these four buildings, placing their names on the bases of the pilasters beside the doors. Cast iron window caps, stair railings, manhole covers, drains, valves, and fire hydrants were also made in Troy and can be seen throughout this walking tour. Troy’s stove and iron foundries extended along the riverfront for more than three miles.

8. Vail House, 46 First Street
Most of the houses on these blocks of First Street were built for businessmen and early industrialists. George Vail, a bank president and railroad financier, and his descendants lived in this house for over 100 years. Today it is the home of the president of The Sage Colleges.

9. Julia Howard Bush Memorial Center (James Harrison Dakin, 1836)
Built as the First Presbyterian Church, this building is one of the earliest and most accurate examples of a six column Doric temple front ever built in America. Today it is used as lecture center and concert hall by Russell Sage College.

10. Russell Sage College
Emma Willard, an educational pioneer, founded the Troy Female Seminary on this site in 1821. The school, known today as the Emma Willard School, was one of the first in the country to offer young girls an education in subjects like geography and math, which were once thought to be too difficult for women. In 1905 a widowed alumna, Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage, built a new campus on Pawling Avenue for the girls’ school. She also helped fund the reuse of these buildings as Russell Sage College, founded in 1916 and named for her husband, a successful local financier.

11. William Howard Hart Memorial Library, 100 Second Street (1897)
This public library is still privately owned. It was a gift from Mary E. Hart in memory of her husband, William Howard Hart. The interior is typical of a 19th century library, with iron bookstacks and artwork that includes the Tiffany-designed “Aldus Window” behind the circulation desk. * •

12. Rensselaer County Courthouse (Marcus & Frederick Cummings, 1894)
Both Troy and Lansingburgh wanted to be the county seat for Rensselaer County. The big debate was settled in 1791 when Trojan citizens donated the land and money to build the county courthouse. This is the third courthouse to stand on this site. The Second Street Presbyterian Church was incorporated as an annex in 1915. *

Second Street
Second Street is one of the great 19th century streets in America, with well-maintained residences in almost every style of architecture along its length. Especially note the ornamental ironwork—many of the balustrades, stair rails and fences were made locally. A number of these houses are now used as law offices because of their proximity to the courthouse.

13. Hart-Cluett Mansion, 59 Second Street (1827)
Built for Richard and Betsey Hart as a gift from her father, William Howard, this local landmark is one of the finest examples of Federal Adamesque architecture in New York State. The magnificent house and its neighbor are the headquarters of the Rensselaer County Historical Society. The house museum, changing exhibits, gift shop, research library and offices are open to the public. * •

14. Caldwell Apartments, 17 State Street (1907)
When Troy’s first apartment building opened, critics raved over the “metropolitan-like touch” which it brought to the city. It is still used as apartments today.

15. Troy Savings Bank & Troy Savings Bank Music Hall (George B. Post, 1875)
Built at the cost of $535,000, the headquarters of the Troy Savings Bank contains a music hall on the top floor that has been declared by music critics and musicians to have some of the finest acoustics in the world. Concerts are held on a regular basis. Many early commercial buildings provided similar public gathering spaces, but few are still in use. * •

16. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, NE Corner of State & Third Streets (1828)
A fine early example of the English Gothic Revival style, this was the church of many Trojan industrialists. Their endowments decorated the building and funded mission churches throughout the city. The interior was extensively redesigned in 1893 by Tiffany & Company. In the tower hangs a 2,200-pound brass bell cast in Troy at the foundry of Oscar Hanks. •

17. Barker Park, Site of Old City Hall, SE Corner of State & Third Streets (1876-1938)
Originally the Third Street Burial Ground, the City of Troy built its new City Hall here in 1876. The large stone building burned in 1938. Today St. Anthony’s Shrine Church (Catholic) stands on part of the site.

18. First Baptist Church, 82 Third Street (1846)
A major landmark in Troy, this church (founded 1795) has a long history. “Uncle Sam” Wilson, a local meat packer, is said to have attended services here.

19. Proctor’s Theatre, 82 Fourth Street (Arland Johnson, 1913-14)
All the great of vaudeville came to perform on the stage of this, the largest theatre in F.F. Proctor’s vaudeville circuit at that time. The interior décor was as elaborate as the outside walls, with murals by well-known local artist David Lithgow and seating for over 2,500 patrons. When talking pictures became popular, Proctor’s was converted to a movie house and stayed in business until 1977.

20. US Post Office, NE Corner Fourth & Broadway (1936-38)
A federal post office built on this corner in 1891 was replaced by this structure during the Depression. The WPA-funded project included the lobby murals of Hudson River tales. *

Alleyways of Troy

The streets of downtown Troy were laid in 1787 in a regular grid pattern. Wide public streets alternate with small private alleyways to provide service entrances for the large houses and businesses. Carriage houses lined some of the alleys while others were filled with small houses used by new immigrants and working class families of Troy.

21. Troy Record Building, SE Corner of Fifth & Broadway (1909)
This building was designed as headquarters for the Troy Record, one of 10 newspapers published in Troy at the turn of the century. Now known as The Record, this regional paper is still in business.

Fifth Avenue
Brownstone rowhouses and churches once lined both sides of Fifth Avenue. Many were built to replace homes destroyed in Troy’s Great Fire of 1862. One block east, Troy’s Union Station and railroad lines filled Six Avenue with their activity. Passenger train service to Troy ended in 1958.

22. W. & L.E. Gurley Co., NE Corner of Fifth & Fulton Streets (1862)
The Great Fire of 1862 destroyed 75 acres of downtown Troy in little more than six hours. W. & L.E. Gurley Company, manufacturers of surveying instruments, built their new factory in seven months. Now known as Gurley Precision Instruments, the company continues to produce quality measuring devices as they have for over 140 years.

23. West Hall, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) (1868-69)
Look east up Fulton Street to see this prominent building on Eighth Street. It was built as the Troy Hospital by the Roman Catholic Church to help Irish cholera victims. Today the building is used by RPI, the oldest engineering school in the English-speaking world, founded here in 1824. Other RPI buildings can be seen on the hillside above.

24. Ilium Building, NE Corner of Fulton & Fourth Streets (1904)
Designed and built by local architect Frederick M. Cummings, this five-story building and its counterpart two blocks west at 297 River Street were Troy’s first skyscrapers. They claimed to be fireproof with iron framework and masonry exterior. They have always had commercial shops on the ground floor and office space above.

25. Frear’s Troy Cash Bazaar, SE Corner of Fulton & Third Streets (Mortimer L. Smith & Sons of Detroit, 1897)

Built by William H. Frear when he outgrew his previous store in the Cannon Building on Monument Square, Frear’s was one of New York State’s largest department stores, as well as a mail order business. Mr. Frear reportedly coined the phrase, “Satisfaction Guaranteed, or Your Money Cheerfully Refunded”. The building has been restored for both commercial and office use.

26. Market Block, SE Corner of River & Third Streets (1841)
Troy’s location at the headwaters of navigation on the Hudson River made it a natural market center where the produce of county farms was traded for supplies brought in on sloops and canal boats. The Market Block was built across River Street from one of Troy’s early public markets. The long windows mark a large hall upstairs used in the 1800s for public gatherings.

27. Uncle Sam Statue, NW Corner of River & Third Streets (K. George Kratina, 1980)
“Uncle Sam” Wilson, a local meat packer, is said to have been an inspiration for our national symbol. A vocal support of American involvement in the War of 1812, he supplied meat to United States soldiers stationed at a nearby federal encampment. Local wags joked that the “U.S.” (for United States) stamped on the barrels of beef actually stood for Uncle Sam. Soon, everything marked “U.S.” was called Uncle Sam’s, and his name became synonymous with the federal government.

28. Riverfront Park
For most of Troy’s history, the waterfront was a busy industrial and commercial place. Heavily loaded freighters and ferries vied for space with passenger steamboats and pleasure craft. As railroads and interstate highways took over the freight market, the Hudson River lost its importance as a commercial transportation route and Troy lost its geographic advantage. Over time, many of the warehouses and commercial buildings that once lined the waterfront were torn down.
Today, this area is a public park overlooking the river. Boats still pass on their way to and from the New York State Barge Canal just north of the city, and dock space is available. Free festivals and concerts are regularly scheduled in the park throughout the year. * •

29. Collar City District
Walk along the river to the Troy Marina on the north side of the Green Island Bridge. This was the district of textile factories that gave Troy its nickname, “The Collar City”. Over 90 percent of the detachable collars worn in America from the 1830s through the 1930s were made here in Troy. The large white building housed Cluett, Peabody & Company, Inc., makers of Arrow shirts and collars, one of the most successful of all the local firms. After the company left Troy in the late 1980s, the building was successfully renovated into offices.

Troy is one of the seven communities in partnership as RiverSpark, a regional Urban Cultural Park within a larger statewide system of 15 state-designated heritage areas and urban cultural parks. RiverSpark is administered by the Hudson Mohawk Urban Cultural Park Commission.

Members of the New York State Heritage Area System: Albany, Buffalo, Kingston, Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor, New York City, Ossining, RiverSpark, Rochester, Sackets Harbor, Saratoga, Schenectady, Seneca Falls, Syracuse, Susquehanna, Whitehall.

This information was reprinted with permission from the RiverSpark brochure, which was developed by RiverSpark and TAP, Inc. Funds were provided in part by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, Heritage Areas Program. Research assistance produced by Rensselaer County Historical Society.

By Randy Cale, PH.D

In my workshops and seminars I am often asked, “What’s the problem with having kids feel a little guilt?” Well, there would be no problem, if guilt were the path to happiness, freedom and success.

Unfortunately, it’s not. Instead, guilt is a debilitating emotion that teaches us to feel badly about ourselves, with the goal of motivating us to do better next time.
There are circumstances where parents can induce guilt, and behavior will change. Thus, it can look like it works. However, you want to notice whether or not this approach has long-term value.

Often, a pattern emerges where kids act out, and parents induce guilt to create bad feelings about the behavior, and the behavior changes. In this model, kids learn to do what’s right by avoiding guilty feelings. However, with time, the memory of the guilty feeling starts to fade away and the negative behavior often re-emerges.

Again, guilt is induced, and behavior changes. Days or weeks later, that guilty feeling has dissipated, and, once again, the negative behavior emerges. We see this pattern in a wide range of addictions, impulsive behaviors and negative behavior patterns and it’s not healthy.
Feeling bad about a poor choice has little value in helping us to consistently choose healthy alternatives. Many people feel guilty after screaming at their kids, but they still do it. Others feel guilty when they overeat, and they still do it. Others may feel guilty about smoking, and they still do it. Guilt is not the answer!

Furthermore, when guilt is a reason for making “the right choice”, notice how often you resent that choice.

Would you want someone to be your friend because they felt guilty if they weren’t being nice to you? Would you want your kids to buy you a birthday present because they would feel guilty if they didn’t buy it? Would you want them to do their homework because they would feel guilty if they didn’t?

Some of you may be saying, “Well...it wouldn’t be so bad.”
But I would like you to consider a few simple points. When we do the right things to avoid feeling guilty, we get no real self-esteem out of that. Instead, we are typically in a struggle about what we want to do versus what some external set of values tells us we should do. This struggle can go on throughout our entire lives, if we live according to the standards that other people give us. You see, that’s the real rub: Guilt comes from the struggle between our own personal desires and the expectations from the outside world.

When we raise children to attend carefully to their own internal standards around what is good, just, and right, they’ll come to trust their heart and their internal voice.
If we raise them to listen to the standards of others, they will always be in a struggle between their own values and desires, and those imposed upon them by society or their relationships with others.

However, this whole issue is avoidable through the simple use of effective parenting strategies. When children learn to do the right thing because it feels good, they choose to do more of the right things. You can teach your kids to stay on a healthy track by investing your attention and energy in those moments that you value.

When you don’t invest a lot of energy into negative behaviors, your kids learn that those patterns are not going to serve them in life. Similarly, when you learn to set limits using consequences and not words, there is no need for guilt-inducing strategies.

This doesn’t mean that you simply ignore every negative behavior, just most of them. For the rest of the more extreme negative behaviors, trust the power of consequences to teach these critical lessons. You don’t need to attempt to induce guilt to try to control behavior.

Guilt is simply unnecessary, counter-productive, and sucks away the joy and happiness that we experience in life. If you doubt this, just notice the effectiveness of guilt as a strategy to get people to do the right thing. It only leads to personal misery and repetitive patterns of trying to “pull it together”, followed by periods when our life falls apart.
The bottom-line: Guilt isn’t necessary and doesn’t work to nurture happiness and responsibility.

Dr. Randy Cale, a Clifton Park based parenting expert, author, speaker and licensed psychologist, offers practical guidance for a host of parenting concerns. Dr. Cale’s new website, www.TerrificParenting.com offers valuable free parenting information and an e-mail newsletter.

By Michelle D’Allaird

Do you look your age? Older or younger? Or maybe you just don’t want to say! The health and condition of the skin is extremely influenced by each individuals’ genetic makeup, but can easily be manipulated (for better or worse) depending on daily maintenance.

For many years, there has been a growing trend toward acquiring a youthful appearance and maintaining the ageless quality of the skin. With so many products bombarding the marketplace, it’s sometimes difficult to know where to start. Fortunately, taking good care of your skin is not a hidden secret, and not as difficult or as costly as many think.

As we age, we lose the firmness and flexibility in our skin. Sun exposure results in dark spots and darkened areas on the face, as well as the development of wrinkles. We had no idea 15 years ago, as we basked in the sun smothered in baby oil, that it wasn’t a good thing. Now we know. A little known fact is that it takes 15-18 years for one severe sun exposure to show up on the surface of the skin. Therefore, those sunbathing episodes from years back are now showing up as lovely reminders on our skin.

But there’s an upside! By enlisting proper care and protection now, you can stop the hands of time from jolting forward. Cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen are the basics to a skin care regimen:

• Healthy skin begins with proper cleansing and moisturizing. The skin should be cleansed two times per day, morning and night, but always prior to bed when dirt, debris, makeup and environmental pollutants can be washed away. Skin cells renew themselves 30 percent quicker at night, while the body is at rest, than during the day. So allowing the skin to “breathe freely” while you are counting sheep will behoove your appearance.
• Everyone needs a moisturizer, regardless of how oily or dry your skin is. All skin needs water. Moisturizers provide the skin with necessary hydration; the trick is to choose a moisturizer best suited for each individual skin type.
• Sunscreen is a must. Regardless of the season or the amount of time spent outside, a sunscreen should be worn every day. A minimum SPF of 15 is just the start. If you are an individual that spends a great deal of time outside an SPF of 30 is needed and if you are active or swimming it is necessary to re-apply frequently.

Though the above are the basics to a skin care regimen, additional products can provide great benefits such as eye creams, vitamin products and masks. Eye creams are designed to treat the delicate eye area. They hydrate and often add “plumpness” to the eye area, which will create the appearance of diminished fine lines and wrinkles. Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to diminish dark circles around the eyes. Dark circles are generally shadows created by the way the eye socket sets, hereditary, or are caused by a health issue. Vitamin products serve a whole host of benefits. Vitamin A helps to promote cell renewal, which results in softer, smoother skin, improved texture, decreased fine lines and even a decrease in dark pigmented areas. Vitamin C increases collagen production, resulting in increased firmness of the skin. Vitamin E is a phenomenal antioxidant that heals, hydrates and protects.

Vitamin ingredients can be found in many creams and serums on the market. Masks can be used a few times a week as a way of giving your skin its’ own little facial. They come in many forms - gel, mud, clay and cream. Choosing which mask to use depends on your type of skin and the results you are looking to achieve.

Determining your skin type and products that are best suited for you can easily be accomplished with a visit to a professional skin care expert or esthetician. Professional facial treatments have increasingly become a necessity and not simply a pampering experience. A professional esthetician can analyze your skin and provide you with specifics as to why your skin may be in the condition it is in, and what to do about it. They can then point you in the direction of a few options for proper skin care products.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body, and it’s the only one that you get, so why not start right this minute and put it in the best condition that it can be? It’s never too late or too early to be as beautiful and youthful as you can be!

Michelle D’Allaird is owner of The Esthetic Science Institute located at 1202 Troy Schenectady Road in Latham. For more information call 786.0760 or visit www.aestheticscienceinstitute.com.

It takes many talents to successfully run a busines—determination, intelligence, people skills and hard work, to name a few. One talent that the women share is the ability to multi-task. A few of them think it's an innate talent; others think it just comes with the nature of being a business owner. Either way, it's a necessity when trying to juggle a work and personal life.
You'll notice that the women represent a variety of age—from age 29 to 61, in many types of businesses—from a home painting business, to a pottery studio/shop to a Japanese restaurant. Two of the businesses (Abby Rose Boutique and It's Only Natural, LLC) are not even a month old. The oldest, Emil J. Nagengast Florist, has been serving the Capital Region for 97 years!
If you are a woman who longs to open your own business, I hope this feature will inspire you to follow your dream. Remember: it's never too late to be living the life you hope for.
—MBD

Abby Rose Boutique
1789 Western Avenue, Albany
218.7673

Owners: Rose Levy and Patti Trimarchi

Describe your business: It’s a women’s store carrying distinctive apparel, accessories and gift items. Some of the clothing lines we carry are To The Max, Sweet Pea, Weston Wear, and Red Engine. One-stop shopping: buy a new outfit for a party and also pick up the gift to bring.

How long have you been in business? We are scheduled to open May 1, 2006.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? So far we have not encountered any difficulties as women in the business world.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? Decide on what you’re interested in. Research all aspects of the business—demographics, location, start up costs, monthly operating expenses; speak to others in this field; determine if this is what you really want to do.

Do you think you had any advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? The only advantage is that we are women opening a women’s boutique.

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? Be efficient and organized, especially. Have your family help out at home; get them involved with the business.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately held firms. What are your thoughts on this? I think women have decided “it’s time” and know we can succeed the same way as privately-held firms have. We have the knowledge and the capability to do this.

What organization(s) do you belong to? Guilderland Chamber of Commerce.

Anne Dugan, Independent Executive National Vice President: Arbonne International
Home based business in Schenectady; www.annedugan.myarbonne.com

Owner: Anne Dugan, 31
Describe your business: It’s a health & wellness business—skin care, cosmetics, nutritional, weight loss, hair care, anti-aging products. I help people start businesses with Arbonne and coach them to financial freedom, personal empowerment and success; as well as help them use Arbonne as a vehicle to achieve their goals and dreams.

How long have you been in business? A little over two years.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? Network marketing, especially in a health & wellness company is predominantly women fueled. What I have found is that the business structure is much more compatible with the lives of women, who play varied and complex roles. I’ve found it really compliments the way women work with and relate to one another. A challenge for me, because my background is as an opera singer and teacher, is finding the “business mind” I have and using it to build a strong, stable organization.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? Do the work to really understand what you have to offer as an individual and lead with your strengths. Don’t be afraid to ask for help developing the other skills you need to be successful. And, most importantly, figure out what kind of support you need—whether it’s emotional, strategic or task related—and get it!

Do you think you had an advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? Possibly, because I have a business that is dominated by women and is not of the traditional business structure. It’s flexible and works with the demands of my life and the desires I have for it.

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? I’ve found that keeping the bigger picture in mind is key. I work hard at keeping a balance between my business (which allows me considerable freedom to have the life I want) and my family. I plan my family time and relaxation time first, and stick to it. Then I put my work time in. I’m aware of the sacrifices I make when needed and I consciously choose them.

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? I’m not an employer, but I do work with, train and support a large organization of individual business owners. I really believe that people will do what it takes to become successful if they have a personal attachment to the outcome.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? I think that’s incredible. My two sisters own a company together, and the work we do is different than traditional companies. Our companies are both different, yet we are working with people by getting to the heart of who they are and what they have to offer others. My hope is that we see more and more of that happening because it takes the whole person into consideration and lends itself to a different kind of balance in the workplace. Connecting people with their passions and purpose—the results you get from that kind of work are much different!

Nature’s Designs—Jewelry with Intention...
Feel the Power™
www.natures-designs.com

Capital Region Wellness Center, LLC
Latham, 378.8120;
www.capitalregionwellnesscenter.com

Owner: Andrea E. Mincsak, 47

Describe your business: Nature’s Designs—- “Jewelry with Intention...Feel the Power”™. Unique and custom designed, hand-crafted, Reiki imbued sacred energy jewelry based on the metaphysical properties of the gemstones. For example Amethyst— is considered the “Stone of spirituality and contentment.” It is said to possess calming, strong, protective qualities, healing, divine love and inspiration as well as enhancing creative abilities.
Capital Region Wellness Center, LLC
Healing Arts Practice and Educational Programs. Specializing in stress management, physical and emotional pain relief techniques and energy healing. Wellness programs for Body, Mind and Spirit. Certification programs, workshops and seminars for individuals and corporations.

How long have you been in business? I have been teaching Reiki for 10 years, and have added other modalities to my practice over the past decade. I have been designing sacred jewelry for nearly five years.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? When attending professional meetings or networking meetings being in a “soft” non-tangible business versus a more tangible business can sometimes feel intimidating.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? I give the same advice to everyone: Do what you love and live your passion! Life is too short to be miserable and stuck in a job you hate just for the money, while anxiously waiting for retirement so you can do what you love.

Do you think you had an advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? Absolutely! I am a highly motivated and energetic woman who is full of ideas and willing to pursue those ideas to fruition. Having a business background and my MBA helps.

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? Throughout my career I found that men and women definitely have different management styles. One difference I have noticed is that men generally are able to focus on one or two issues, whereas women are generally good at multi-tasking and often have a lot of irons in the fire simultaneously. My management style is to allow the employee to rise to the occasion and complete their assigned projects with minimal supervision. I like to empower people to do their best job without hovering over them.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? Women are motivated and have the wherewithal to succeed in business. We are highly skilled, have ample experience in dealing with others, and are experts at effectively handling diverse situations. We are adaptable and bounce back from adversity and loss. We go with the flow. We have much to offer because we have experience and determination on our side! It makes sense to me that women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms.

What organizations do you belong to in the area? Are you a mentor for other women? I belong to the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Saratoga Chamber of Commerce. I also belong to the AC-Chamber Women’s Business Council and several networking groups. I am a member of an informal accountability group consisting of four businesswomen. This group helps us to stay on track with our goals and provides support for both business and personal issues. I mentor a young female student who is attending my alma mater, Union College Graduate School. In terms of unstructured mentoring I believe mentoring other women is something that comes naturally for most women and therefore find, I and other women, are doing it all the time.

Carolyn’s Salon
2050 Western Avenue (corners of Rt. 155 & Western Ave.), Guilderland
452.2544

Owner: Carolyn Raible, 45

Describe your business: Carolyn’s Salon is a full service hair salon specializing in custom cutting and Goldwell color, enabling us to provide our clients with the latest looks. Other specialties are EnVogue nail systems & TRUCCO makeup. We also carry a full line of professional retail products. To remain at the top of the beauty industry, we continually attend advanced education classes. The team of stylists is current and very motivated. We pride ourselves in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere and always welcome new clients. “Our commitment to you is to make you look and feel your best!”

How long have you been in business? I’ve been in business for seven years, currently with a staff of 16. I have been a licensed hair stylist since 1978 and have worked at other salons prior to opening Carolyn’s.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? As a woman in the business world, I have not encountered any difficulties. There have been challenges, but things always seem to work out. My ability to remain professional and organized has really helped. Owning a hair salon business is a natural combination for me. I have a very strong passion for both sides of my work (the challenge of a growing business and the creative side of hair dressing.)

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? Have a plan and set realistic goals and ask other business owners their advice and opinions. Owning a business takes a lot of hard work and many hours. Being organized is critical. Most importantly, save for slow times. Just because it’s busy doesn’t mean you won’t encounter some slow times.

Do you think you had an advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? I don’t think being a woman has any advantages in getting your business started. Whether you’re a male or female, it takes the same amount of effort.

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? When it comes to running a business and having a family you really have to prioritize. I have been married for 25 years and my sons are 21 and 17 years old. My husband has been supportive of my business decisions. Again, being organized and realizing your priorities helps a great deal. Also, my children were older when I decided to open the business.

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? I agree men and women have different management styles, but so do individuals. If you are fair and treat people with respect, it pays off. The majority of my employees have been at the salon since the day I opened. I try to be positive, open-minded and listen to their suggestions.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? It is exciting to see successful women business owners. This trend can be attributed to obtaining your personal goals, along with the flexibility women need in today’s society.

What organizations do you belong to? Are you a mentor for other women? Carolyn’s Salon is involved in Locks of Love. We also donate to community causes and non-profit organizations. I enjoy hiring and mentoring newly graduated stylists. It is rewarding to give them direction, confidence and the skills it takes to become a busy and successful stylist.

The Floral Garden
“The Capital Region’s Premier Wedding Florist”
339 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
478.7232; www.TheFloralGarden.com

Owner: Janet Gough
Describe your business: The Floral Garden is a floral shop specializing in creative and distinctive designs and gifts with a boutique flair. Custom designs in silk and dried flowers create the inviting ambiance of the shop.

How long have you been in business? Our wedding clientele is pleased with the personal touch, and creative, knowledgeable experience of 30 years. We take advantage of many opportunities throughout the year to learn the newest trends, designs, styles and colors to add to the bride and groom’s day.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? Gender did not have any negative effects on my business career.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? I would advise anyone starting a business to investigate as many agencies as possible such as the Small Business Administration, local chambers of commerce and financial planners when developing their business plan. Many of these have services at no charge.

Do you think you had an advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? I never investigated opportunities for women owned businesses.

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? I have no experience with men within my business because most of the men were friends and family. Being a confident employer comes with many experiences. This, too, I would advise for professional advice.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? I feel women are career minded and not afraid of independent challenges.

What organizations do you belong to in the area? Are you a mentor for other women? I belong to the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and I’m a mentor for my employees.

CIRCLES
1475 Western Avenue, Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany
482.2554; www.circles-shop.com

Owner: Sharon L. Fenno

Describe your business: CIRCLES is a women’s specialty store located at Stuyvesant Plaza with the goal to provide a place where people can browse and shop for the latest trends in fashion, beauty, accessories and footwear in a comfortable environment. It is our aim to provide our customer with unequaled service. In the age of 24/7, it is important to offer one stop shopping and to customize our service to the individual. To meet that goal, we provide personal shoppers, on-site alterations and special order items for customers. CIRCLES carries a wide range of products from trendy sportswear and Seven jeans, to Badgley Mischka dresses, to Stuart Weitzman shoes, to Laura Mercier cosmetics, to Natura Bisse Skincare. There are many more tantalizing products, but there isn’t the space to mention them all! You will have to visit and see for yourself. CIRCLES really is a Touch of Manhattan in Albany!

How long have you been in business? 12 years.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? Do what you love. If your vocation and avocation are one in the same, you’re a lucky person. It’s much easier to succeed (and more fun) when you are doing something you love to do!

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? I think a management style depends upon the individual not the gender. As an employer, I try not to micro manage. I hire people who are good at what they do and then I try to get out of their way. My job is to give them the resources they need to optimally perform their jobs.

What organizations do you belong to in the area? I am a board member for The Retail Council of New York State.

claysculpture pottery
49 Front Street, Ballston Spa
885.6302

Owner: Madeline Gallo, 61

Describe your business: claysculpture is a working pottery studio/shop where I teach classes to adults and children in both hand building and wheel throwing. The shop is a section of the studio and is where I sell my functional ware and clay sculptures for the home and garden.

How long have you been in business? I put the 49 Front Street studio together a year ago this past February, and was teaching out of my home studio for about two years before that. But, I’ve been working and teaching in clay since the late 60s, so you could say I’ve been in this business on and off for over 30 years.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? I actually had a lot of support from the building owners and the community when I first explored the idea of putting in a pottery. We have an art co-operative on the first floor of the building, so putting a pottery in the light and airy basement was a logical next step.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? If it is something you believe in, and love to do, then do it. Make an honest list of the pros and cons, make a commitment of at least three-five years, do the 4 P’s of marketing (product, place, price promotion), and enjoy yourself.

Do you think you had an advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? No, I think my advantage for this venture was my experience in having put one together many years ago.

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? Both my children are grown, and I can take my dog Riley to work with me, so the only juggling I have to do is to make sure he goes for his walks!

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? Actually, I’m both the employer and employee, and I do talk to myself, but there have been no real disagreements to date.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? I think that is an encouraging statistic and hope it continues to grow.

What organizations do you belong to? Are you a mentor for other women? I’m on the board of the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, and a co-founder of the artist co-operative Strolling Village Artisans. I try to help and encourage other artists to have confidence in themselves and to work as much as possible.

East Greenbush Window Coverings
145 Old Red Mill Road, Rensselaer
477.9025;
www.eastgreenbushwindowcoverings.com

Owner and Designer: Lorraine Greaney

Describe your business: East Greenbush Window Coverings specializes in creating and fabricating uniquely beautiful window treatments. The design studio is open by appointment, but we prefer to work in our clients’ home or business whenever possible. We feel it is important to understand the clients’ needs and also make the experience as comfortable and convenient as possible. We carry fabric and trim lines that give us a broad range to work with. This past year we are pleased to announce that we have partnered with Exciting Windows! which you may have seen in Metropolitan Home Magazine. Our mission is to enhance your homes’ interior by creating beautiful window treatments, as well as provide the highest level of customer care.

How long have you been in business? Since 1987.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? The two pieces of advice I would share would be—don’t under-fund your venture because it will strangle growth and be prepared to do more than you might have imagined.

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? The philosophy I hold to at EGWC is family first. We make efforts to make work schedules flexible to accommodate a working parent’s schedule.

What organizations do you belong to? We are a member of the Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce, The Interior Design Society, International Home Furnishing Industry and Exciting Windows!

Fresh Face Forward, Inc.
350 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush
477.6333

Owner: Karen Ackerman, 32

Describe your business: Fresh Face Forward offers skin care treatments, hair removal services, natural nail care and mineral makeup applications.

How long have you been in business? Four years in the current location.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? Is so, what was the biggest obstacle? Obstacles that I have come across are typical to any business, woman-owned or not, such as finding well-trained, competent staff, finding the best ways to market your business and balancing family and business life.

What advice would you give to other women who want to pursue their own business? My advice to women who want to start their own business is to trust their instinct. Going with your gut is almost foolproof. You know when something feels right or not, and listening to that inner voice can give you guidance and direction.

Do you think you had an advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? I didn’t have an advantage getting my business started because I am woman, I believe people make their own good luck and that leads to advantages.

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? The great thing about women is that we are born multi-taskers. Having a family and a business requires superior organizational skills and the ability to make decisions on a dime. Juggling a hectic work schedule and caring for a family helps you choose the people and activities in life that are most important to you. You make time for those things.

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? I believe that both men and women have similar management structures, but carry out those tasks much differently. Women tend to appeal and respond to their employee’s emotions and put themselves in other people’s shoes. I always try to see things from the perspective of my employees before making a management decision. I not only look at numbers, but the people behind those figures.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? I believe that woman-owned businesses are growing at a fast pace due to the fact that women have many skills that privately-held firms have ignored. Women have decided that if their chosen field does not offer them the opportunities they seek, they can make their own future by starting their own business.

What organizations do you belong to? Are you a mentor for other women? I belong to the Schodack Business Association and frequently have esthetic students come to my salon to see how the day-to-day operation of the business runs and to see treatments being performed. In my industry, most training occurs after graduation giving me the chance to help show future therapists how life is after school is complete.

Fusco Personnel, Inc.
4 Executive Park Drive, Albany
869.6100; www.fuscopersonnel.net

Owner: Patricia Fusco, 39
Describe your business: Fusco Personnel is a professional staffing firm specializing in temp, temp to hire and direct hire placements for administrative and professional careers.

How long have you been in business? Fusco Personnel was incorporated in 1994.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? I did not encounter many difficulties in the business world because I am a woman.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? I will always promote woman owned business for many reasons. Women are very multi-talented and can juggle the professional life and the home life. Women are very committed and dedicated to both and are very understanding. I believe working for a woman owned business, employees have an employer that respects, understands, sympathizes, is compassionate, but also demands perfection. Women are more determined to do a great job and to succeed because we are in the spotlight more for being either the underdog or not the norm.

Do you think you had an advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? I don’t think I had an advantage getting my business started because I am a woman. I think I worked hard, paid my dues and would not stop until I succeeded.

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? Having three girls and a husband that travels more than 10 months a year, I do find myself juggling. However, I also am a homeroom mom at school, I coach my daughters cheerleading squad, I attend all softball games, practices, and play a very active role in my children’s lives. My family will always come first. My business will come second. That is why I opened up my business, to allow me the flexibility to do both. I am able to manage all that I do because I have an outstanding staff that works with me. My office consists of people that have been with Fusco Personnel for years and I would not replace them for anything. I rely on them and they are the best in the business! They allow me to do all that I do.

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? Men and women do have different management styles. I also believe that it is more of “people” that have different management styles. The differences are manage by example, manage by fear, manage by team work, manage by power, and manage by motivation. As an employer, I view myself as a team player. I would not ask one of my staff members to do anything that I would not do. I value their work and effort and I make sure that they know it. We address issues that need to be addressed, we do not dwell on the negative and we focus on the positive and the next step.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? I think it is wonderful that the rate of women owned businesses are growing at such a rapid rate. I encourage women to find their passion, formulate a plan that works for them and their family and go for it!

What organizations do you belong to in the area? I belong to all of the Chambers, as well as:
YEO—Young Entrepreneur Organization
CEG —Center for Economic Growth
CRHRA—Capital Region Human Resource Organization
SHRM—Society for Human Resource Management
AXA—Albany Executives Association

It’s Only Natural, LLC
Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany
438.4595; www.onlynaturalonline.com (not up and running until mid-May)

Owner: Rebecca J. Barnard, 53

Describe your business: It’s Only Natural, LLC sells all natural products of the highest quality. They are “clean” and, in most cases, organic products including: supplements, herbs (bulk and bottled), homeopathic remedies, a large selection of wheat free/gluten foods, natural makeup, aromatherapy products, beeswax and soy candles, incense, natural household and pet products, organic bulk, teas, many unique gifts and specialty items, and much more. The store will be a place where people can find alternatives to almost anything out there. I have been involved with selling natural products for over 10 years and am working on my Master’s in Natural Health. My vision is to have It’s Only Natural be a place where people can come to ask questions, get answers and enjoy learning about these products.

How long have you been in business? The store opened on April 27. I was an owner/partner at another health food store for 10 years.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? What I encountered was not so much an obstacle as an annoyance. Many people thought I was crazy to begin a new business at my age. They would say, “Are you crazy? You’re supposed to be getting ready for retirement!” But, that only made me more determined. Age is a frame of mind, an attitude you carry around with you. As for being a woman in business, I actually received nothing but support from everyone.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? Make sure your idea is a sound one, stay on top of your finances, keep your goals in front of you at all times, and just GO FOR IT! We all get so caught up in the “age” thing or what we’re “supposed” to be doing. I truly believe it is never too late to realize your dreams.

Do you think you had an advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? The only advantage I observed was that there are many, many grants out there for women in business. However, I was a little unnerved when I found out just how much paperwork, and in many cases, expense, is involved in the process of getting those grants. I, personally, did not go that route.

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? I have three kids living at home, all either in college or working. I’m carrying a full graduate course load. My husband and I are youth group leaders at our church, and I’m starting this business. I juggle it all by trying my best to stay organized, keep a positive attitude, and be grateful every day for the incredible support I have from my family.

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? I believe that women bring an entirely different perspective to management. We are multi-taskers; it is our way of life. Because of that ability, managing seems to come naturally. I feel that women bring vibrancy to the workplace. As an employer, I strive to maintain good communication with my employees. I enjoy having a relaxed atmosphere while still being productive and staying on task.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? I’m not at all surprised that women-owned businesses are growing quickly in number. With today’s cost of living, it is rare to find a one income household. There are also many single moms out there, and they need to work. Having your own business can offer many benefits that a woman may not get through working for someone else.

What organizations do you belong to in the area? Are you a mentor for other women? I am very active in my church as treasurer and the youth group and outing group leader with my husband. Any mentoring I’ve done has been with the girls in our youth group. I try to set a good example for them and encourage them to be proud of who they are. I also try to encourage them to accept their looks and their bodies because they all seem to be so obsessed in that area.

Krafts by Kim
390 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush
477.1274

Owner: Kim Edberg

Describe your business: Krafts by Kim was a home-based business, which originated 18 years ago. It has now developed into a cozy, country store brimming with many of my unique designs and primitives. The store showcases the fusion of the old with the new. You will find wonderful decorating ideas with hydrangeas, natural twigs and berries. I feature a large variety of wreaths, candles and barn stars.

How long have you been in business? I just celebrated my one-year anniversary.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? Not at all. People are very accepting and enthusiastic to find people like myself taking such a big step and following something that has been a dream for so many years.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? Follow your dreams. Be sure you do your homework—research as much as you can about your business, have a great support system and go for it. It does take a lot of drive and ambition, but we can achieve anything if we put our minds to it.

Do you think you had an advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? No, not really. I think the only advantage that any person needs regardless of their gender is the motivation and ambition to want to be successful. It is so important to love what you do and to be the very best you can be.

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? Juggling family with running a business is probably one of the most challenging and difficult parts. To try and find a BALANCE is key. None of this would be possible without all the love and support of my husband. We work together as a team to be sure our family’s needs are always a priority.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? I think it’s GREAT. Women have obviously learned throughout the years that they too can be successful and accomplish their dreams just as I have everyday that I go to work.

Lifestyle Images by Candidly Beth
www.candidlybeth.com

Owner: Beth Pachter

Describe your business: I photograph families and children as true pieces of art.

How long have you been in business? 14 years.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? Fourteen years ago photography was a very male dominated business. It was felt that women weren’t as technical as men, and therefore unable to understand cameras, etc. It was very tough to gain respect and to be treated as an equal.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? Get as much education as you can about your product or service.

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? I care a lot about little details and don’t want anything leaving the studio that is not 100 percent. I think that sometimes it makes me a “tough” employer.

What organizations do you belong to in the area? Are you a mentor for other women? Local chambers, BSBA, and Capital Champlain Professional Photographers. I am currently mentoring several women who are just starting out in business.

Emil J Nagengast Florist
169 Ontario Street, Albany
Suyvesant Plaza, Albany
434.1125; www.nagengast .com

Owner: Diane (Susie) Nagengast

Describe your business: We are a full service florist and gift shop.

How long have you been in business?We have been family operated for 97 years at our Ontario Street location, which was started by our great-grandfather as a vegetable stand. We opened a second location in Stuyvesant Plaza eight years ago with flowers, plants and gifts—a shop we are very excited about.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? No, at the height of the women’s lib movement, women were writing their own ticket. However, our family’s health began to fail. My grandfather Emil and three of his son’s involved in the business died within a very short time. Of 29 grandchildren, the ones of the right age felt a devotion to carry out the family name. This was an advantage in one sense, but not necessarily the field we had chosen or received our degrees in. I got a degree from Syracuse University with the hopes of a career in the travel industry. My sister, Denise, has degrees in Culinary Arts & Hotel Technology. She worked as a chef and caterer until returning to the business five years ago after the death of my partner/cousin Michael Nagengast. My cousins Anne and Michael entered the business to assure their father Bernie’s retirement after the premature death of his siblings. My cousin, Marcia entered the business immediately after high school to carry on her father Joe’s legacy.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? Wear comfortable shoes!

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? None of us girls have children. Do we not have children because we didn’t have time? Perhaps. Keeping balance between the demands of the business and your personal life is a real challenge.

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? I think for women, you never sacrifice quality. There is a passion for the job and you just do it because you love it. I think it’s important to never ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself and to treat everyone like family.
According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? We will be welcoming in another woman from the next generation. Emil’s great-granddaughter, Pamela, will be joining us this month. Coming from The Fashion Institute in NYC we look forward to her offering the business younger ideas and to help carry on the family name.

What organizations do you belong to in the area? Are you a mentor for other women? The business belongs to the local chambers of commerce, FTD, Teleflora & SAF. I personally steer towards several of the environmental organizations.

Kathleen’s designs by the flower girl LLC
625 19th Street, Watervliet, DBA the flower girl
41 Lower Hudson Avenue, Green Island
272.1008; shoptheflowergirl.com;
theflowergirl@artlover.com.

Owner: Lauren Gagliardi, 30

Describe your business: the flower girl is a full service florist specializing in floral designs for all of life’s occasions. Our preferred specialties include weddings, corporate needs, sympathy and everyday occasions. We also provide gifts, fruit and gourmet baskets, as well as plants and silks.

How long have you been in business? In June 2002 I purchased Kathleen’s Flower Shop and opened doors as Kathleen’s designs by the flower girl LLC. In June 2004 I extended to a second location and opened as the flower girl in the Village Plaza in Green Island.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? The biggest challenge that I face in the business world is nature —the cycles of the moon that affect my physical body as well as my emotions. I am a very emotional person which some might view as a weakness. The nature of my business allows me to embellish the happiest of occasions and brighten the darkest of days in my customers’ lives. I find that they appreciate the fact that I can feel and understand the emotions associated with these significant events.
What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? Hold on because the road ahead twists and turns like you never could have imagined. It is a life-changing event that requires time and dedication.

Do you think you had an advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? I never applied for any of the programs to help my business because I am a woman. I have never noticed any difference or struggle during my time owning a business and being a woman.

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? It is hard to juggle family with business, especially around the holidays, which are my most profitable times. I love to entertain and cook, but I never get to contribute. I just keep it in the back of my head that someday it will be my time to cook and have everyone to my house.

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? I want to be their friend first and have a mutual respect for each other. I like to foster a creative environment and I believe that is done when there are no barking orders and when we speak as partners in this adventure together. Creating artistic and beautiful floral designs takes skill and conceptual thought. A clear head and relaxed work environment let the best ideas flow though my fingertips.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? My generation, “Generation X” girls were raised to believe we can do any thing we put our minds to. Girls were encouraged to engage in previously male-dominated studies or sports. So, I am not surprised that women owned business are rapidly increasing.

What organizations do you belong to in the area? Are you a mentor for other women? I am a member of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, which has been so supportive to my business. Active involvement produces great results and has put me in touch with so many people to help support and grow my business. I am also a member of a start up chapter Business Networking International of Northeastern NY and The Gateway Referrals Group of BNI.

Make Me Fabulous
102 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa
885.2929; www.makemefabulous.com

Owner: Alayne G. Curtiss, 41

Describe your business: We are professional makeup artists who provide a variety of services, including professional makeup, hair and wardrobe styling for commercial, print and video productions. Some of our credits include: MTV, VH1, Home & Garden Channel, The Today Show, Nickelodeon, Men In Black, Glamour Magazine and Women’s Day Magazine. We offer makeup artists services to brides and bridal parties at any location. We offer BARE ESCENTUALS Mineral Makeup, makeup lessons in a private setting, prom makeup, bridal preview sessions, expert skincare advice, waxing and facials at our retail location.

How long have you been in business? I have been a makeup artist for 18 years, but Make Me Fabulous has been in existence for 7 years.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? I think it took a while for people to take me seriously, because I have a very agreeable, lighthearted nature. I think people originally thought I was just a sweet girl who had a bunch of kids and liked to play with makeup.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? Know what it is you want to do and go for it. I never did a lot of market research or financial analysis. I just knew what I loved to do. It took me awhile to realize that makeup could be a career, but once I did, I did it with reckless abandon and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I would say that most people who go into business don’t realize how much of your time it truly takes to be successful.

Do you think you had an advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? I don’t think I had any advantage. My grandparents, parents and uncles all had businesses of their own, so it was already in my blood. I found a niche and kept developing it. I would volunteer to work on projects for free to gain experience and meet people. My degree is in marketing, so I always saw the advantage of getting my name out there.

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? I have three children ages 7, 9, and 10, and my husband has taken over much of the family and home responsibilities, as well as putting his own desires on hold. He is Mr. Mom on weekends, in addition to working 45-60 hours a week himself. I couldn’t do it without my husband and kids’ support. I often say I am either working, sleeping or cleaning.

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? That is where I fall short. I always give people the benefit of the doubt and expect them to be like me—hardworking and honest. When they don’t turn out to be that way, I take it too personal. I am a work in progress, but I’m lucky to have an extremely efficient team—we all work really well together.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? I think once women find their passion and strength and believe in themselves, then they are capable of anything. I love working with women. I always try to be pleasant and service our customers to the best of my ability. Women have been doing that for years with their families, why shouldn’t we be able to do the same in business?

What organizations do you belong to in the area? Are you a mentor for other women? We strongly support breast cancer since one of our artists is a survivor, and just recently sponsored the Bellvue Mobile Mammography Van. We belong to The Capital District Wedding Association, The Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, and Upstate Independents, a local chapter of independent filmmakers. My husband and I also support many of our kid’s activities.

Lorraine Michaels Dance Centre
69 Fuller Road, 2nd Floor, Albany
459.2623; www.lorrainemichaelsdance.com

Owner: Lorraine Muller

Describe your business: Lorraine Michaels Dance Centre offers a wide variety of social dance and fitness classes for adults of all ages. What sets us apart from other studios is the diversity of our classes, how affordable they are and how much fun we have. We currently hold monthly classes in: Ballroom, Swing, Lindy Hop, Exotic Dance, Argentine Tango, Hip Hop, Club-Style Latin Dance, Belly Dance, Kick-boxing, Country Two Step, Hustle and Women’s Self-Defense. We also offer monthly dance parties in Freestyle Dance, Swing, Latin and Ballroom. You don’t need to bring a partner for any of our classes or parties—plenty of partners are available.
How long have you been in business? Since 1981.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? When I started the center I was very young and it was hard to be taken seriously because of my age and gender. But, things have gotten progressively better.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? To really stand up for yourself and hold onto your dream.

Do you think you had an advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? In some ways, yes. Some people respond more warmly to women. Our students are comfortable with women being involved in dancing.

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? I don’t have children, but I have four birds and several cats. I prioritize and make sure my pets’ needs are taken care of.

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? I am a very involved owner in all the aspects of my business.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? Speaking for myself, I know my business is growing steadily and rapidly. I think women are coming into the place where they have what it takes to be successful. It makes sense that that growth rate would be true.

What organizations do you belong to in the area? Are you a mentor for other women? I participate with the Capital Region Chapter of United States Amateur Ballroom Dance Association (U.S.A.B.D.A.). Through this organization we teach lessons, do demonstrations, fundraising and other activities. I have been a mentor through that organization for men, women and children.

McGinnis Women’s Medical Care
24 Computer Drive West, Albany
689.7548

Owner: Mary Joyce McGinnis, M.D.F.A.C.O.G., 54

Describe your business: It’s an integrated office with doctors and specialized nurse practitioners focused only on women’s reproductive care.

How long have you been in business? Four years.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? I encountered negativity about my business potential, as well as discouraging input from the medical community.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? Get your personal finances in order, have a clear objective, hire the best people and treat them well.
Do you think you had an advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? In OB-GYN women have a definite advantage.

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? From my teens I was determined to pursue a career. Marriage took a back seat and I did not have children on purpose. I can devote my entire attention to women’s healthcare. When I was married my spouse was an obstacle, not a help.

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? In my office we try to be flexible, treat our patients as we would like to be treated and make decisions through cooperation and consensus. Through the years I worked for egotistical dictators who pursued money or personal acclaim ruthlessly and trampled their staff. I observed the way not to run a business or proved quality healthcare. I saw groups making lots of money, but treating patients and staff poorly. I saw superb care given inefficiently and unsustainably. By the age of 50 I knew what I wanted my practice to be. You get the best from co-workers through fairness and sensitivity.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? Women are making great strides in controlling their own lives and finances. Every woman should have a way to support herself and her children; more and more women should own their own business and succeed in the business world.

What organizations do you belong to? Are you a mentor for other women? I’m not a great joiner, but I feel that my highly trained staff are role models for career-oriented women. I am currently associated with Bellevue Woman’s Hospital and serve on both the Executive and OB Committees.

M.T.S. Material Transport Services, Inc.
DBA Advanced Battery Services
381 Broadway, Box 9, Menands
434.2735; www.adbattservices.com

Owner: Christina Lee

Describe your business: We specialize in motive power and stationary batteries and chargers, as well as other material handling equipment. The business was originally started just as forklift repair in 1992, than we expanded into the battery field in 1998.

How long have you been in business? 14 + years.

Did you encounter any difficulty as a woman in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? Yes. The material handling industry is a heavily male dominated field. I have been faced with situations where men will not speak with me about their batteries and chargers because I am a woman.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? Research it thoroughly and make sure you have a strong support network behind you, whether it is family, friends, or other business people.

Do you think you had an advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? My husband actually started the business originally. I came into it after it was already established. Now, as a WBE, I think we have an advantage because there are so few women-owned businesses in our industry.

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? I am fortunate to be able to work from home most of the time. I also have family and friends that are always willing to help out with childcare when I need it.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? I think more women are looking for ways to be able to balance having a family and a career. It can be easier to have both when you are your own boss.

Leave It To Beav R. Home Improvements
1502 Second Street, 2nd Fl. Rensselaer
364.7029

Owner: Colleen Reilly, 34

Describe your business: House painting service offering exterior and interior paints, stains and sealants, as well as drywall replacement and repair.

How long been in business: 4 years.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? The only difficulty I have encountered has been other’s opinions on whether a woman can do the work I do, as this is a male dominated field. Once I am done, clients comment on how much more detail oriented and clean I am in my work than my male counterparts.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? DO IT! Research grants for minority and women owned businesses, but don’t let it stop you if you don’t get one. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t. The road is long, but the rewards are great!

Do you think you had an advantage getting your business started because you’re a woman? No, not really. I haven’t received any grants or incentives as a woman, but they are there.

Men and women have different management styles. What do you think the differences are? How do you view yourself as an employer? I think everyone has different management styles, but it has more to do with training and experience than gender. As an employer I would say that I am fair, as I never expect more from my employees than I expect from myself. I provide my employees with the necessary training and tools to do the work right and that is how I expect it done. Due to the seasonal nature of my business, I lay off almost every fall/winter, but I do my best to let people know when it is coming so they can prepare for it.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of privately-held firms. What are your thoughts on this? I think we are living in an era where women are realizing their equality and that has a lot to do with statistics. The rise in availability of the Internet and at-home businesses are also allowing women to engage in business without detracting from their family obligations.

What organizations do you belong to in the area? Are you a mentor for other women? I am not currently affiliated with any organizations. I am not a mentor as part of any program, though I do try to hire women if the interest and ability are present.

Petskleen Pets
568 Columbia Turnpike, Van Den Houten Square, East Greenbush
477.8810.

Owner: Cynthia Edwardson, 29

Describe your business: We are an animal grooming salon and self-bathing facility. If you would like to have your pet pampered, our groomer, Barb Kelp, takes exceptional care of them. She will wash dry, trim, and clip their nails for you. If you prefer to be more “hands on,” you can bring your animal to our facility and we provide all of the necessary tools for you to groom your own pet. We give you the shampoo, rinses, towels, and dryers—even a gown for you so you don’t get wet. You wash and dry your pet and you leave the mess for us!

How long have you been open? Since January 2006.

Did you encounter any difficulty in the business world? If so, what was the biggest obstacle? The biggest obstacle that I encountered when I first considered opening my own business was being taken seriously. Unfortunately, there are still some people out there - men AND women - who accept information more readily when it comes from a man. As a young female entrepreneur, this has been a challenge for me. However, I have found that if you surround yourself with supportive, encouraging and informed friends, associates and family, the challenges are more easily overcome.

What advice would you give other women who want to pursue their own business? A key element to future success is to have a solid plan and then develop a strong support network. Many of our vendors are local business people and they are quite helpful and encouraging. Barb Kelp, who has been instrumental in helping me get my business off the ground, is a perfect example of the kind of person you should seek out when starting out on your own.

How do you juggle having a family with running a business? Even though having your own business means dedicating a sig

By Kerry A. Mendez

Q: Last year I had GORGEOUS foxgloves but this year they are all dead. What happened?
A: Welcome to the world of biennials! First, understand their modus operandi: Biennials have a two-year life cycle. First year: leaves; second year: flowers; third year: dead. Unless, of course, you are careful to allow some flowers to go to seed and sow themselves in the garden for flowers the following year. This means you can’t cut all the beautiful flowers off to use in vases (look the other way when the blooms start looking dried out) and you must be careful not to disturb the soil where the little darlings seeded themselves. Biennials certainly do not fall into the no-brainer, low-maintenance category (the one I prefer). If you still want to have biennial foxgloves in the garden, one way to make it easier on yourself is to buy both first year (those with only leaves and usually found in 4” pots) and second year plants (the ones that have those stunning flowers). This way you have primed the proverbial biennial pump for at least two seasons of color! Or, you can always buy perennial foxgloves. These return each year - same plant, same spot. Of course these are not as showy as the biennial varieties, but many times convenience comes with a cost. Perennial foxgloves include grandiflora (yellow), lanata (cream), and mertonensis (raspberry pink). Personally I have found the yellow grandifloras live much longer than the other two.

Q:How do you prune clematis? Some say prune it in the fall, others say in the spring, still others never do anything to the vine. Is there an easy answer?
A:Pruning clematis is a common quandary for many gardeners. We fret so much about making a pruning mistake that we don’t do anything and our clematis usually turn into a tangled mess that don’t bloom very well. Well, grab your pruners and take a deep breath! It is rare that you will ever kill clematis with poor pruning; the only negative ramification is you may be without flowers for a year. No big deal. Clematis falls into three groups for pruning - 1, 2 and 3 (or A, B, and C). Group 1 (or A) bloom on old wood which means flower buds will form on stems from last year. Group 2 (or B) bloom on old and new wood. They have an early bloom on old wood and then a second bloom (with usually smaller flowers) on new wood later in the summer. And group 3 (or C) bloom on new wood, which means only new growth from the current year will form flower buds. Group 1 clematis should be pruned AFTER they bloom. It is commonly suggested that category 2 can be pruned lightly after their first bloom. But I read that you can prune the vine to within two feet of the ground after its first blooms and then it will still have a second flush, but look neater and less scruffy. To be on the safe side, I suggest you test this theory on a few stems first to see how your plant responds before whacking the whole thing to two feet. And group 3 can be pruned to within 8”-12” of the ground in the fall when you are cutting back your gardens or in early spring before the plant breaks dormancy. Since my mantra is LOW MAINTENANCE perennial gardening, I stick primarily to group 3 clematis that I can whack back every fall at the same time I am cutting back my gardens for their winter nap. If you are not sure which category your clematis falls into, and you know the cultivar, you can find its category by checking any good perennial reference book or typing in ‘pruning clematis’ online. If you have lost the tag or never knew its name, then simply step back and watch how it grows in the spring. If it forms new growth only at the top of the old stems than you know it blooms on NEW wood (group 3). If this starts breaking leaf buds throughout the old wood then it is a 1 or 2. And, if this plant then re-blooms later it the summer it is a group 2. My last piece of advice to all those who have really had it with that tangled mess and really don’t give a hoot what group it’s in—take your hedge pruners in hand, aim them two feet from the ground, close your eyes and WHACK! Then thin out some of the stems at the soil level to reduce the mass of stems remaining. You will feel good, the plant will look better, and it will bloom again at some point.

Q:I have a wooded area in my backyard and wanted to create a woodland garden. What plants do you recommend?
A:Woodland gardening is becoming more and more popular. It is a very low maintenance, natural form of gardening and a great way to use native plants that are usually quite tough, disease and critter resistant. When working with woodland plants, be aware that many of these are spring and early summer bloomers that go dormant once the hotter summer months arrive. They like a rich organic soil in a cooler setting that gets at least partial shade. And deciduous woods are a better location for these than under heavier evergreen canopies. To kick off the spring show, I suggest the following bulbs: trout lilies (erythronium), winter aconite (eranthis) and naturalizing narcissi. In addition to these bulbs, tuck in some pink, burgundy, white or yellow trilliums. Their delicate three-petal flowers scream ‘woodland garden’. And wild bleeding heart (dicentra cucullaria) is another forest hallmark with its feathery foliage and white or pink flowers. Wild columbine (aquilegia Canadensis) adds great color with its delicate red and yellow flowers that combine nicely with the rich blue flowers of Virginia bluebells (mertensia virginica). And how could you not plant ferns, wild ginger (asarum), woodland phlox (phlox stolonifera), hepaticas, foam flowers (tiarella), hostas, Solomon’s seal (polygonatum), and bugbane (cimicifuga)? A combination of any of these will give you a strong jump-start to creating a charming woodland garden for fairies to visit. And remember, some woodland plants are protected wildflowers—it is important that you do not dig these from the wild or buy them from people who do. Purchase them from reputable nurseries that propagate these legally!
Kerry Mendez is the owner of Perennially Yours, a local business that specializes in low-maintenance gardening classes, design and consulting services. To learn more about Perennially Yours please visit www.pyours.com.