New York state has enacted sweeping new workplace harassment protections that strengthens anti-discrimination laws to ensure employees can seek justice and perpetrators will be held accountable.
It eliminates the restriction that harassment be “severe or pervasive” in order to be legally actionable; mandating that all non-disclosure agreements allow employees to file a complaint of harassment or discrimination. It also extends the statute of limitations for employment sexual harassment claims filed from one year to three years.
Curtis Lumber To Open New Bathroom Design Center At Its Ballston Spa Facility
By Susan E. Campbell
Curtis Lumber Co.’s Ballston Spa location will unveil a new bathroom design center this month.
A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Thursday Sept. 12, and there will be a weekend of special events, including tours of the new showroom and the opportunity for “spectacular savings,” according to Elmer Manzer, facility coordinator for the store at 885 Route 67.
The company also has locations in Queensbury, Warrensburg and Granville.
A 34-year employee at Curtis, Manzer has seen the rise in popularity of the showroom concept, especially over the last two decades.
“The design centers have been growing for nearly 20 years,” he said. “There is a massive project center that is like a year-round home show, featuring ideas for patios, lighting, kitchen cabinets and counters, a one-car garage and many other aspects of home building and renovation.”
Business Report: Sustainable Energy Saving Options
By Lee Evans
Running a household or a small business can be expensive. However, many people don’t consider the choice and control they have over their energy expenses.
Now the emerging green economy combined with high connectivity has given birth to a bold new era of energy saving options for everyone. What follows is a list of essential, straightforward items that both homeowners and businesses can check off to trigger the type of cost reduction they’ve always wanted in terms of energy efficiency and renewable energy.
In general, the three main steps you can use to unlock the maximum amount of energy savings for your home or small business: Reduce, electrify and replace.
Reduce. This means that you should first take steps to audit and then lower your energy consumption by completing individualized identified Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs). For example, switch to automated thermostats, LED lighting and controls, increase air sealing and insulation, reduce electricity or fuel use especially for heating and cooling requirements. A review of third-party fuel supply options for potential cost reduction is available at merited.www9.nationalgridus.com
Business Report: Homebuyers Should Get Chimney Inspection
By Jamie Wallace
People considering buying a home should not neglect getting a chimney inspection.
Here are five reasons why.
1) Chimneys are one of the most neglected structures in a home
Did you know that very few chimneys that vent a furnace or fireplace have ever been professionally inspected? The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 211) is the national standard for chimneys and vents and states that a chimney shall be inspected annually. A chimney is always under attack by corrosive flue gasses which wreak havoc on its flue liner.
The average gas furnace is pushing out about one gallon of water vapor through your chimney every hour during freezing temperatures. A chimney also rises above the roof line, making it the most exposed part of a structure to the elements. Yet, it is estimated that less than 10 percent of all chimneys have been professionally inspected. That’s a staggering number of potential carbon monoxide and fire hazards virtually unseen to the homeowner.
Don’t inherit someone else’s damaged chimney. This is preventable through a Level 2 chimney inspection by a certified chimney company.
NYSERDA Launches Second Phase Of Its Home Energy Rating Pilot Program
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has launch ed the second phase of a multi-year Home Energy Rating Pilot initially launched in February.
NYSERDA is seeking applications from licensed home inspectors to deliver home energy ratings during pre-purchase inspections to support homebuyer remodeling of a newly purchased one- to four-family home.
Alicia Barton, president and CEO of NYSERDA, said reducing energy use in homes “provides a foundation for greater statewide energy savings and advances us another step towards meeting Gov. Cuomo’s energy efficiency target by 2025. Piloting home energy ratings with home inspectors offers New York homebuyers access to a useful and informative tool that will identify energy efficient needs, features and upgrade opportunities to inform future remodeling decisions that will help them lower energy costs and increase the comfort of their homes.”
Nutritionist Added To ‘Acupuncture Nirvana’ Staff As Business Grows In Glens Falls
Courtesy Acupumcture Nirvana
By Christine Graf
Nutrition is now an emphasis at Acupuncture Nirvana, at 451 Glen St., Glens Falls, with the addition of a mew registered dietician.
Danielle Kiser has joined the staff of Acupuncture Nirvana. She received her M.S. in dietetics from SUNY Oneonta.
Kiser does not promote dieting or extreme calorie restrictions. Instead, she works with clients to create realistic and sustainable lifestyle changes.
According to owner Katherine “Kat” MacKenzie, having a nutritionist on staff will benefit many of the practice’s acupuncture clients. Patients who combine dietary changes with acupuncture are often better able to manage their symptoms.
“I see a lot of people who have issues that are related to diet,” said MacKenzie.
For example, she said she worked with a patient who suffered from migraines. The woman was unaware her crippling headaches were triggered by an undiagnosed gluten allergy.
Glens Falls Collaborative And ARCC To Host Fifth Annual FitFest In Downtown City Park
Courtesy Glens Falls Collaborative
The Glens Falls Collaborative, in partnership with the Health & Wellness Council of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, will present the fifth annual FitFest on Saturday, Sept. 14 in the Downtown Glens Falls City Park.
The event will run from 10 a.m. a to noon.
FitFest is an event that showcases health, fitness and wellness organizations of the greater Glens Falls region.
This free, family-friendly event will feature music provided by DeeJay DuBray. There will also be contests, giveaways and children’s activities.
Alliance For Positive Health Moves Office To Glens Falls, Adds Nutrition Service
By Jill Nagy
The Alliance for Positive Health, an agency assisting people with HIV/AIDS and other chronic conditions, opened a new office at 13 Chester St. in Glens Falls. The new office replaces a facility in Hudson Falls, one of five regional offices of the organization.
“Things are still a bit unsettled,” said Executive Director William Faragon. He said he hopes to have everything in place for the community open house on Sept. 17. There will be a ribbon cutting and tours of the new offices. He characterized the event as an opportunity for members of the community to meet their new neighbors.
HCR Health Care, Based In Hudson Falls, Earns Five-Star Rating For Its Patient Services
By Jill Nagy
HCR Home Care, a provider of home health care services in northern New York state, added another star to its galaxy when its North Country region, based in Hudson Falls, received the highest rating, Five Stars, for patient satisfaction in July.
HCR consistently receives four-star ratings, well above average, for both clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. However, this was the first five-star rating, according to Lara Weagle, director of client relations.
The top rating indicates that HCR met or exceeded state and national averages in five patient-satisfaction measures, based upon a comparison of survey results. The surveys and comparisons are performed by medicare.com/homehealthcompare. HCR’s ratings are the highest in the region, according to Weagle.
Twelve Companies Nominated In Three Categories For Annual Business Awards
Washington County Local Development Corp. and the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce have announced the nominees for the 2019 Washington County Business Awards.
The nominees are as follows:
Professional Business Category: DOTY Machine Works Inc., Hilltop Construction Co., L.E.A.P., Washington County Center for Rehab & Healthcare and the Washington County Fair.