Jake Van Ness

2440 Articles

Glens Falls Native Opens Office In Smith Flats Building As Edward Jones Financial Advisor

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Steve Babson II is an Edward Jones financial advisor with a new office at 55 Bay St., Glens Falls. He helps clients build personalized strategies to achieve their financial goals.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Steve Babson II started his professional career almost 20 years ago in downtown Glens Falls, and it now appears to be coming full circle.

Today, the Glens Falls native is an Edward Jones financial advisor with a new office at 55 Bay St., Glens Falls.

“I like to say that I started my career a block out of the heart of downtown Glens Falls 17 years ago and I’m finishing a block out of downtown Glens Falls in the other direction. I want to continue to help people as best I can, listen to them intently and create strong plans so they can have the future they envision,” said Babson.

Babson graduated from Glens Falls High School and SUNY Oswego before opening a coffee shop at the old Triad’s building, currently Rock Hill Café. He spent some time with The Chronicle, before working with the Regional Radio Group as a sales representative. He then started to follow a path in business and finance working in banks in both Glens Falls and Mechanicville.

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EDC Breakfast Speakers: State, Regional Agencies Stand Ready To Help Local Business

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Andrew Kennedy, president and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth, outlined the services his agency can provide at an EDC Warren County breakfast at the Queensbury Hotel in March.

By R.J. DeLuke

“It’s great to see the revitalization in the region, especially in the city of Glens Falls,” said Andrew Kennedy, president and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) leading off his remarks at the annual EDC Warren County economic outlook breakfast at The Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls on March 22.

CEG is the regional economic development organization for the greater Capital Region and New York’s Tech Valley that includes Warren County. He was one of three speakers at the event, each of them with talking points about how public/private partnership and collaboration have helped–and can continue to be a vital part of–local economic development.

Kennedy outlined the services his agency can provide, such as helping attract new business and investment, supporting programs that allow businesses to thrive and preparing communities for development opportunities when they arrive.

Among the specific programs Kennedy viewed as important was the Business Growth Solutions program for small to medium-sized companies in the manufacturing and technology sectors across several industries. CEG team members and third-party partners help businesses find new revenues and increase profitability.

He said it has had a $40 million impact on the area’s economy.

Another highlighted program was Talent Connect, a new program that helps employers recruit and retain skilled workers. It also identifies jobs that are emerging and helps create a skilled workforce for them

“We like to be that sort of connective tissue, that one-stop shop,” for assisting businesses, said Kennedy.

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Garden Bros Circus Brings Clowns, Acrobats And More To Glens Falls Civic Center April 21

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The Glens Falls Civic Center will host the Garden Bros Circus on April 21, for two shows. It will be the last time for people to see the elephant act, which is being discontinued after the current tour. Courtesy Garden Bros Circus

The Glens Falls Civic Center will host the Garden Bros Circus–a family tradition for over 100 Years–on Friday, April 21, for two shows, at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Garden Bros Circus celebrates 100 years entertaining families throughout North America.

“We are excited that this show will return to Glens Falls,” said Jeff Mead, arena general manager. “The Garden Bros Circus is bringing an all-new show and offers great family entertainment for people of all ages.”

Circus officials said it will be the last chance to see the live elephants act.

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Ryan Van Amburgh Is Key Figure In Campaign To Raise Funds For Regional Cancer Society

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Ryan Van Amburgh is nominee for an award based on raising funds to fight cancer.

A local resident and economic development official who has been battling cancer is using his story to help motivate donors during a 10-week intensive campaign to raise money toward curing cancer.

Ryan Van Amburgh agreed to become a nominee in the Upstate NY/VT Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man/Woman of the Year fundraising campaign.

Proceeds raised during the campaign will directly fund cancer research.

For every dollar raised by the Van Amburgh family, Ryan receives a Man of the Year vote until the conclusion of the campaign on May 12. That’s the night of the society’s grand finale event held at 8 p.m. at the Franklin Plaza Ballroom in Troy, when winners will be announced.

One of the top philanthropic events of the year in the Capital Region, tickets and sponsorships for the finale, benefiting Van Amburgh ‘s campaign, can be purchased online at www.ChangeTheStory.Today. Direct donations to his campaign can also be made at that site.

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Business Report: Living Benefits Of Life Insurance

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Brian M. Johnson of New York Long-Term Care Brokers Ltd.

Courtesy New York Long-Term Care Brokers Ltd.

Do you own a life insurance policy? Do you own the old life insurance or the new life insurance? Don’t know the difference? Let me help.

Traditionally, life insurance, whether it’s term or whole life, benefits only the beneficiaries of the policy, meaning you probably met your maker. No one wants to think about it, but we buy life insurance to protect our families, our businesses or to leave a legacy. However, other risks are far more likely to happen than an untimely death.

What if we live too long? What happens if we develop a sickness or become disabled? What if my needs simply change?

Consumers and advisors need to know about the new life insurance policies that allow you to use the death benefit while you’re alive. If the insured person is diagnosed with cancer, suffers a heart attack, stroke, etc., the critical illness rider on a new life insurance policy allows the insured to accelerate a portion of the death benefit to use for medical expenses or to offset lost income.

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Physical Therapists Say People Sit Too Long, With Bad Posture, Leading To Aches And Pains

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Jason Campopiano of Local Motion Physical Therapy in Glens Falls demonstrates an Arm Bike used in rehabilitation of arm shoulder and elbow injuries.

By Jill Nagy

Physical therapists agree that people sit too much and with bad posture and that it causes work-related aches and pains so many people suffer.

Some therapists recited the phrase “sitting is the new smoking” as an unhealthy habit.

Kate Pratt of Capital Area Physical Therapy’s office in Queensbury said she sees a lot of “postural type” problems, resulting from people bending over a computer screen and constantly looking down.

“It seems to be more sitting that gets people into trouble,” said Jason Campopiano of Local Motion Physical Therapy in South Glens Falls. People sit flexed forward, he said, and their shoulder, hip and neck muscles get tight. Then “gravity sets in and they lean further forward.”

Shannon Regner of Inova Physical Therapy in Queensbury sees patients with repetition-related problems, particularly in their shoulders and elbows.

“There are always problems with lifting,” resulting in problems in the shoulders and back, she said.

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Miller Of The Kinney Agency Says Stability, Reputation Important To Insurance Agents

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Todd Miller is the owner of The Kinney Agency, Inc. in Hudson Falls. Since 1932, the Kinney Agency has been providing personal and commercial insurance for people and businesses.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Stability, knowledge, and reputation are all things anyone looking to purchase an insurance policy should look at when seeking an insurance agent.

Todd Miller, owner of The Kinney Agency, Inc. in Hudson Falls, said without these things it’s hard to build a relationship between an insurance company and the consumer.

Miller has been in the business since 1989. Since 1932, The Kinney Agency, Inc. has been providing personal and commercial insurance to people in and around Saratoga and Warren counties.

Miller said the agency first began in 1932 when a dairy farmer started selling insurance out of his house. His father then purchased the agency in 1975, and it was from him that Miller learned the importance of providing a quality services to both homeowners and business owners.

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