A Status Update

If you look at the post below, you'll notice that this blog has not been updated since July 17, 2009. Some people have asked recently what is happening with the blog so here's the deal.

The blog is called the "Tech Park Community News." When we sent out the notice that we were starting the blog we said that it would be fueled by submissions from our Tenants. We asked for your news. Anything that you wanted to share...company announcements, milestones, births and birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, etc.

In the beginning we received a great response but then it petered out. To add to that, there's a lot going on in the office so some things that I'm not reminded of fall to the wayside. So, the blog has lacked an update for several months. I want to get back into the blog and bring you the news of the Tech Park and it's Tenants but I really do want your help.

So, send me your news or let me know what you would like to see.

Post Office FYI

The Wynantskill Post Office is closed from 1pm-2pm. This seems to be the Post Office of choice for Tech Park employees but there are several others that are not much further from the Park. For a list of the closest Post Offices and their hours click here.

Thanks to Donna at AM for pointing this out!

For Sale

Each week we receive information about houses or property for sale around the Tech Park. As a policy, we do not post this information on the web site or on this blog in order to be fair to everyone. Instead, we keep the information on file in our office should anyone inquire about housing.

So, if you are looking for a house, or know someone who is, then feel free to send me an email and I will pass on the information that we currently have available. If you are selling your house, feel free to drop off a flyer at our office and we will keep it on file for future inquiries.

Join the Group!

Don't forget to join the Rensselaer Technology Park Group on LinkedIn. Once you join the group, you can connect with other people in the Park, start discussions, post news articles and links and much more. It's a great way to connect with others. If you're not a member of LinkedIn click here to read an article about the benefits of this social network.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Cassie at the Park office...518.283.7102 or cramec3@rpi.edu.

Get Off Your Knees

"Get Off Your Knees: The John Robinson Story" is an amazing documentary from WMHT. John Robinson is the Director of Corporate Support at WMHT. Here is the summary from their web site:

Born a congenital amputee, John Robinson has no hands. His arms stop at his elbows. His lower legs are attached to his hips without knees. He is 3’9’’ tall. As a child, John's parents had many worries: Would he be able to go to school? Could he hold a pencil? Could he ever support himself?

Yet, through his remarkable tenacity, talent and faith, John has succeeded in business and in building a family in a way that few may have expected from the outset. In this documentary from WMHT, we get to know a man who has made his way in a world not designed for those without the dexterity of typical arms and legs--a man who has gone on to lead what many would consider an ordinary life. Yet this ordinary life is actually extraordinary when one witnesses the determination required for John to do that which others take for granted, from driving a car to playing a round of golf.

People with disabilities are the nation’s most vulnerable demographic, and the obstacles they face in everyday life can seem overwhelming. John’s inspirational story teaches those of us with and without disabilities that, with the aid of a strong education and a few caring individuals, each of us can achieve that which may initially seem impossible.

"Get Off Your Knees: The John Robinson Story" premiere last night so I apologize for the late posting but it will be rebroadcast at 7pm on Sunday, June 21.

CMOST is "Best Museum for Kids"

Congratulations to The Children's Museum of Science and Technology for being voted the "Best Museum for Kids" in the Times Union's Best of 2009. CMOST is located at 250 Jordan Road and is open (during the summer) Monday - Saturday 10am to 5pm. For more information call 518.235.2120 or visit their web site at http://www.cmost.org/.

Database Updates

Requests for updated information were sent out by email over the past few weeks. If you received a request and have not returned the information, please do so by this Friday, June 12.

Farm Stand in the Park

Every Friday from 10am - 2pm Gold Krest Farms will have a stand set up by the mailboxes on Jordan Road. This week they have fresh cut flowers and strawberries. Stop by each week to see what they have. If it is popular enough we may add more vendors on different days...what do you think?

Wednesday Farmers' Market

From June 3rd - September 30th, a new Farmers' Market will take place in downtown Troy at Monument Square from 10am to 2pm on Wednesdays. It will be located on Broadway, between 2nd and River Streets, which will be closed to vehicle traffic and transformed into an open-air market.

Sponsored by the Troy Downtown Collaborative, of which Rensselaer is a member, the Monument Square Farmers' Market will provide an opportunity to shop for fresh produce, eggs, cheese, baked goods, and specialty prepared foods. Lunch specials will also be available from some vendors as well as local eateries.

Welcome to the Park...

Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. Hartgen Archeological Associates is a cultural resource management firm specializing in archaeological studies and architectural history services. Hartgen's main office is located in Rensselaer but they have established a laboratory facility at 165 Jordan Road. We are pleased to welcome them to the Park.

Troy Night Out

Troy Night Out happens again this Friday, May 29 from 5-9pm. This month RPI is sponsoring two events. Prof. David J. Hess will discuss his book "Localist Movements in a Global Economy: Sustainability, Justice, and Urban Development in the United States" from 5-7pm at Market Block Books (290 River Street). Also, a reception will be held from 5-7pm at the Arts Center of the Capital Region (265 River Street) for "Flags: Variation on a Theme" by Prof. Larry Kagan.

Community Garden

Did you know the Tech Park has a community garden? The community garden is located off the parking lot behind 105 Jordan Road. It's part of the Capital District Community Gardens. If you would like more information contact CDCG's Garden Organizers.

Troy Farmers Market

The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 9am to 1pm in Riverfront Park.  Free parking is available at the Atrium Parking garage.There are a variety of vendors selling everything from cheese and meat to baked goods and pesto.  Chef Larry of Tosca Grill does cooking demonstrations and there is live music (this week is Blues with Tom Winslow).  It's going to be a beautiful weekend so if you haven't been already, give it a try.

On another note, we have considered inviting local farmers to set up a farm stand in the Park (probably by the mailboxes).  Would this be of interest to anyone?

Park Office Closed for Memorial Day

The Park office will be closed Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. Everyone have a safe and enjoyable weekend and we will see you on Tuesday.

RTP is LinkedIn

Are you LinkedIn? If you are, join the Rensselaer Technology Park group to connect with other people in the Park. The group is open for discussions and news to help you connect with others.

Shawn Allen of Ceralink Honored by Business Review

The Tech Park Staff would like to extend their congratulations to Shawn Allen, senior materials engineer with Ceralink, who was one of the winners of The Business Review's 40 Under Forty. The Business Review’s 40 Under Forty program recognizes the business accomplishments and community involvement of 40 businesspeople under the age of 40. Click here to read that article that accompanies his win.

WMHT Wins Lifetime Learning Award

WMHT Educational Telecommunications was honored by Excelsior College with their 2009 Partners in Lifelong Learning Award. The award recognizes community organizations that share the college's commitment to lifelong education. The award was presented on March 4 at Excelsior's annual scholarship event to benefit Capital Region students enrolled at Excelsior.

Adapted from Visions Magazine, April 2009

Suggestions

Do you have a suggestion for the Park? If you think of something, anything at all, that you would like to see in the Park or suggest to us, feel free to email Cassie at cramec3@rpi.edu. We love to hear from our Tenants and are always looking for suggestions and feedback. Let us know what we can do to make your experience in the Park even better.

Have You Seen the Barn?

The Barn in nearing completion! When it is finished it will be the place for meetings and events in the Park. The Barn is located next to the Park Office on Defreest Drive. If you get a chance, drive by and take a peak. Once completed we will be open for tours. If you have any questions, call Cassie at the Park Office...283.7102 or email cramec3@rpi.edu.

Diabetes Research in the 21st Century

The JDRF Coalition of Young Professionals is pleased to announce their Inaugural Event.

Join us for an evening of information and networking

Wednesday, April 22, 2009
University of Albany Foundation East Campus, 1 University Place, Rensselaer

5:30pm Networking, light fare & cash bar
6:00pm Panel discussion: Diabetes Research in the 21st Century
7:00pm Networking, light fare & cash bar

$10 per person - RSVP & Advance payment requested - Must be 21 or older to attend
For more information, contact Cassie at the Tech Park Office - cramec3@rpi.edu or 283.7102

This event is sponsored by Capital Bank and Trust.

The Glen at Sugar Hill Open House

The Glen at Sugar Hill will be having an Open House on April 18 & 19 from 11am - 3pm to showcase the new construction in their apartment community. They are located at 400 McChesney Avenue Ext. in Brunswick.

The Weekend Is Almost Here

If you're looking for something to do this weekend here are a few places to look for suggestions:

Local blog, All Over Albany, has a collection of Stuff to Do

Check out the Albany Convention and Visitor's Bureau Events Calendar

Albany's version of Troy Night Out, 1st Friday, is today

The Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce has a Community Events Calendar

Feel free to sumbit other events in the comments.

Paws for a Cause This Weekend

The Mental Health Foundation is holding it's 3rd Annual Paws for a Cause at the Empire State Plaza this Friday and Saturday (April 3 & 4). Paws for a Cause is the largest event about pets in the greater Capital Region of upstate New York. The event will include free seminars and over 55 vendors. There will also be shows by the Purina Incredible Dog team. The expo will run from 10 am to 4pm Friday and 10am to 3pm Saturday. You can see a full schedule of events here. While the event is free and open to the public, attendees are encouraged to bring an item of new, unopened, canned or dry pet food to the event. The donations will be divided up and distributed to the rescue groups that participate in the event.

Troy Night Out - Kids Night Out

Troy Night Out is tonight and this week's theme is Kids Night Out. As part of the theme, RPI and Russell Sage College are sponsoring an egg hunt throughout downtown Troy. There are plenty of events for adutls, too. Visit their web site for a full listing of events.

High Tech & Higher Ed

On Thursday, February 26 at 12pm the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon featuring top business and academic representatives discusing the relationship between our region's technolgoy sector and higher education institutions. Tech Park Director, Mike Wacholder, will be part of the panel along wtih Dr. Clint Balligner, CEO, Evident Technologies; Dr. Drew Matonak, President, HVCC; and Dr. Paulette McCormic, Director, Center for Excellence in Cancer Geonomics, University at Albany.

Event Details:
Time: Noon: Networking & Lunch/ 12:30 - 1:30pm: Program
Location: The Franklin Terrace, 126 Campbell Avenue, Troy
To register visit the Chamber's web site. The cost to attend is $22 for members and $40 for non-members.

Pitney Bowes Business Insight

Pitney Bowes Inc., which acquired MapInfo in 2007, announced today that MapInfo will now be part of a new unit called Pitney Bowes Business Insight. For more information on the new name and what it means for the company, you can read the complete press release by clicking here.

Troy Night Out

Have you been to Troy Night Out yet? On the last Friday of every month from 5 - 9pm TNO attendees can enjoy over 30 art events, 15 music venues, 20 fine restaurants and unique stores. The Troy Trolley provides free transportation between events and free parking is available on-street and in many city garages.

During this month's TNO (on January 30), RPI professor Mike Fortun will be signing his book: Promising Genomics at Market Block Books. For a full list of events and a downloadable map visit troynightout.org.

BullEx Featured in Visions Magazine

Congratulations to BullEx for being featured in Visions, the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber's monthly magazine. Click here to link to a pdf version of the magazine. The article begins on page 8.