Jake Van Ness, Author at Glens Falls Business Journal

Jake Van Ness

2231 Articles

Hudson Headwaters Completes Renovation Of Glens Falls Facility For Enhanced Services

November 14, 2022

Renovations at this Hudson Headwaters facility at 100 Broad St., Glens Falls, include a redesigned triage area so nursing staff may more efficiently assess patient needs.
Courtesy Hudson Headwaters

Hudson Headwaters Health Network has completed renovations to its Broad Street Health Center in Glens Falls.

The updated facility offers urgent care services seven days a week, with no appointment necessary, for health concerns that arise suddenly but are not life-threatening. For further convenience, the center offers laboratory and X-ray services on-site, and lists estimated wait times on the Hudson Headwaters website.

“Not a day has gone by where a patient hasn’t commented on how appreciative they are of the transformation,” said Patti Hammond, executive vice president/chief operations officer. “Every renovation has been made with thoughtful consideration to our patients and our community. These enhancements further our mission to provide accessible, high-quality health care for everyone, regardless of income or insurance, while also contributing to Glens Falls’ wider revitalization efforts.”

Renovations include an expanded waiting room with updated lighting and new artwork throughout the center.

Thirteen urgent care exam rooms have also been redone and updated. The triage area has been redesigned so nursing staff may more efficiently assess patient needs. New features include a fully equipped treatment room and a new changing room in the medical imaging area. Amenities have been added for patients’ comfort including complimentary bottled water, free Wi-Fi connectivity and multi-device charging stations.

SUNY Adirondack Creates New Health, Wellness Office; Names Staff Of Four

November 14, 2022

SUNY Adirondack has developed a new on-campus health and wellness office to further meet the needs of students.

As part of that development, the college named Lori Prock as director of health and wellness; Tobey Gifford and Kyle Esposito as wellness coordinators; and Deb Neal as its nurse.

“We are excited to add to existing health initiatives on campus to ensure we are caring for our students’ well-being in a holistic way,” said Kathryn O’Sick, dean for Student Affairs. “Lori, Tobey, Kyle and Debbie each bring years of experience in their respective fields, and are passionate about helping people be their healthiest, happiest selves.”

The office is possible with funds designated to the college through the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a portion of which SUNY dictates must be designated to support the mental health and wellness of students.

Prock was most recently emergency preparedness coordinator for Saratoga County. She previously served as health educator and senior health educator for that county’s Department of Public Health.

She started her career as a substitute teacher, then worked for OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). She earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from The College of Saint Rose and a master’s degree in Health Education from Sage Colleges.

“We will look at the six pillars of health—physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual and occupational—and how we can address all of them to better meet the needs of students,” Prock said.

New Owner Of Hot Yoga Queensbury Hopes To Bring Back Retreats And Special Events

November 14, 2022

Serena Smith is the new owner of Hot Yoga Queensbury, located at 118 Quaker Road. She has been teaching there for years and has owned other businesses.

By Andrea Harwood

Hot Yoga Queensbury, located at 118 Quaker Road in Queensbury, is under new ownership.

Serena Smith has been teaching at the Hot Yoga studio for years. In a conversation, former owner Stephanie Angelucci brought up the idea of Smith purchasing the studio. After much thought, she decided to move forward with the purchase.

“Movement has always been a passion for me. It’s exciting to make it a career. I feel honored that I get to do it every day. What an opportunity it is for me to help others move every day,” said Smith.

“I’ve owned other businesses before, and the best part is always being part of the community,” she said. “I’m looking forward to that again.”

Smith owned and operated Taps Tavern in Poultney, Vt., for over 10 years. She has been a chef for 27 years. She also owned a café.

Her first job was in a Pizza Hut restaurant, and she’s been cooking ever since. Smith sold her café many years ago, and the restaurant about a year and a half ago. After cooking and running restaurants and food trucks her entire life, she was looking for change.

Business Report: Charitable Giving: Maximizing Tax Benefits

November 14, 2022

Bill Canty, CPA, CFP, founder, CFM Tax and Investment Advisors.

By Bill Canty

Charitable giving is a great thing to do regardless of whether or not you are able to realize a tax benefit.

However, if you can help others and realize a tax benefit this is a good thing and might even allow you to give a little bit more. Here are some things to know in trying to maximize the tax benefits of charitable giving.

The standard deduction is a reduction in taxable income available to all taxpayers regardless of whether or not they can itemize deductions or have any tax credits. For 2022, the standard deduction is: Single and married filing separately, $12,950; married filing joint, $25,900; and head of household, $19,400.

If you have itemized deductions in excess of the standard deduction, you can deduct that amount from your taxes. Examples of itemized deductions include: property taxes, state income taxes, mortgage interest, medical expenses and charitable contributions.

Charitable contributions can be made in a number of ways that can qualify as an itemized deduction. These include direct gifts of cash, gifts of securities like stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs, and gifts of property such as real estate, art, and collectibles.

The amount that can be deducted as an itemized deduction is as high as 60 percent of adjusted gross income for some cash donations, dropping to 50 percent or as low as 20 percent for other types. This percentage can also vary by the type of organization.

Business Report: Should You Consolidate Retirement Accounts?

November 14, 2022

John Gable is a financial advisor with Edward Jones Financial in Warrensburg.

By John Gable

One of the rewards for working over several decades is the ability to contribute to tax-advantaged retirement accounts, which can help provide needed income for you when you do retire.

As the years went by, you may well have accumulated several retirement accounts, such as IRAs and 401(k)s or similar employer-sponsored plans. But you might find it advantageous to consolidate these accounts with a single provider.

Consolidating them can provide you with several potential benefits, including these:

• Less confusion and clutter. If you have multiple accounts in different locations, it may be difficult to keep track of tax documents, statements, fees, disclosures and other important information. Consolidating accounts could help provide clear, simplified account maintenance.

• Less likelihood of “lost accounts.” It may be hard to believe, but many people abandon their retirement accounts, leaving thousands of dollars behind and unclaimed. In fact, at the end of 2021, there were nearly 25 million forgotten 401(k) accounts, worth about 20 percent of all 401(k) assets, according to an estimate by Capitalize, a financial services company that helps individuals roll over retirement plan assets into new accounts.

Federal Reserve Of New York Advisor Will Speak On Area Economics At ARCC Event

November 14, 2022

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce will present a session on regional economic conditions from the perspective of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at The Queensbury Hotel, 88 Ridge St., Glens Falls.

Economist Jason Bram, an economic research advisor and research officer within the regional analysis function at the New York Fed, will be the speaker.

The event will run from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Bram is an economic research advisor in Urban and Regional Studies within the Household and Public Policy Research Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. His research and analysis focus is on the U.S. economy, with a primary emphasis on the Federal Reserve’s Second District that includes New York state, northern New Jersey, and southwestern Connecticut, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Bram produces the regional Beige Book reports, and uses monthly business surveys to monitor and analyze current and emerging economic trends and issues of concern. Recent research has focused on minimum wage effects and effect of the pandemic on local economies. Earlier research focused on housing markets, composite indexes of regional activity, dynamics of the Puerto Rico economy, and the impact of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the New York City economy.

Adirondack Diamond Point Lodge Owner Buys Forest Hill Lodge & Cabins, Lake George

November 14, 2022

This is part of Forest Hill Lodge & Cabins in Lake George, being renovated and purchased by Todd Drake, the owner of adjacent Adirondack Diamond Point Lodge.
Courtesy Adironack Diamond Point Lodge

By Susan Elise Campbell

Adirondack Diamond Point Lodge in Lake George is expanding with the acquisition of Forest Hill Lodge & Cabins, two adjacent acres that will help meet the demand of vacationers who seek the rustic, off-lake experience the Lodge provides, according to owner Todd Drake.

The Drake family purchased the Lodge at 3629 Lake Shore Drive in April 2021 and added Cramer’s Point Motel at 3382 Lake Shore Drive to their holdings in February, he said.

The latest purchase adds “a mix of apartments and short-term rentals” to their offerings. The deal closed at $990,000.

“We overpaid for it, but didn’t want it sold to someone else,” said Drake. “Some people who had rented at Forest Hills already thought it was ours and showed up on our doorstep. It made sense to buy it.”

Drake’s construction company, CornerStone Building Corp. in Watervliet, has begun “interior upgrades and redecorations” and “the FF&E is up to speed” on the rustic Adirondack style décor and finishes.

ARCC Accepting Nominations For The Annual Juckett Community Service Award

November 14, 2022

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) is accepting nominations for the 34th Annual J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award.

The winner will be honored during the ARCC annual dinner on March 10 at the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing.

“We have seen some extraordinary individuals get honored with this award,” said ARCC President and CEO Tricia Rogers. “This is a great opportunity to recognize community members who have really gone above and beyond to serve their community.”

Nominations will be accepted through the ARCC’s website until Nov. 22.

The nominee’s profile should demonstrate significant contributions to the community in the field of human services, education, business, or industry. The nominee’s contributions should be substantial and enduring and the nominee should reflect the admiration of his or her peers.

Neither the nominee nor nominator are required to be a member of the ARCC to be considered for the honor.

Dining Hall At SUNY Adirondack Upgraded, Adds Space For People To Study In Private

November 14, 2022

SUNY Adirondack’s upgraded dining hall includes traditional and bar-height seating, study pods and spaces for groups and individuals to work in privacy.
Courtesy SUNY Adirondack

SUNY Adirondack now has unveiled its newly upgraded dining hall that includes traditional and bar-height seating, study pods and spaces for groups and individuals to work in privacy.

“Working with a local vendor, we were able to provide a modern, welcoming environment,” said Tom Kent, executive director of SUNY Adirondack’s Faculty-Student Association. “We have already received many compliments from students and staff.”

The project was spearheaded by interior designer Amanda Blaise of Girvin Office in Greenfield Center, whose designs were distributed by Charlie’s Office Furniture, a Queensbury-based company.

Blaise’s designs coming to fruition is the culmination of a long process delayed by the pandemic. According to Kent, the college’s partnership with Chartwells was renewed in 2019. Part of that continued relationship included a renovation to the serving area. Then COVID-19 hit and delayed the rest of the plans, which included upgrades to Einstein’s Bagel Cafe in Scoville Hall, as well as the food court area.

Lake George Association Seeks Volunteers For Its AlgaeWatch Water Monitoring Program

November 14, 2022

The Lake George Association has launched a new citizen science program called AlgaeWatch and is seeking volunteers to monitor their favorite areas of the lake for excessive algae growth and, especially, harmful algal blooms (HABs).

Interested volunteers can sign up for the program at lakegeorgeassociation.org/algaewatch and also watch a new LGA educational video on the dangers posed by HABs and what can be done to prevent them.

AlgaeWatch volunteers will monitor shoreline or near-shore areas around their home or business, or areas they otherwise frequent, document the growth of various types of algae, and report back to the LGA on their findings.

If a HAB is discovered, volunteers will also report their findings to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The information gathered will help the LGA science and technical team, their partners with The Jefferson Project environmental monitoring program, and DEC identify problem areas and help guide implementation of appropriate mitigation measures.

Volunteers will also receive email alerts from the LGA any time water and weather conditions are especially conducive to HAB formation, as well as updates on any ongoing blooms. HABs are most apt to occur when water and wind conditions are calm, and the weather is warmer than usual.

“HABs are our canary in the coal mine,” said Brea Arvidson, LGA manager of water quality research. “When a HAB occurs, or any case of excessive algae growth for that matter, the Lake is telling us it needs help. By identifying these occurrences as early as possible, we can deploy the right resources to identify the cause and begin to develop science-based solutions.”

Excessive algae growth, most often fed by nutrient loading from stormwater runoff and failing septic systems, poses a serious and growing threat to Lake George water quality. In the fall of 2020, the risks escalated, as the lake experienced the first of three confirmed HABs.