Today, Gary discusses the Kiwanis Club “Spirits in the Trees” opening ceremony. Also, LEAP unveils their first community giving box, the Toys for Tots convoy makes a stop in Fort Edward, and Anthony Nunziata scheduled to perform a special Christmas show this weekend.
00:02 – Intro 00:32 – Ad Break 1 01:32 – Story 1: LEAP Community Giving Box 02:21 – Story 2: Toys for Tots in Fort Edward 04:41 – Ad Break 2 05:04 – Story 3: “Spirits in the Trees” 07:03 – Story 4: “Anthony Nunziata: The Italian Broadway Christmas Show” 08:57 – Outro
The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce presented a festive ribbon cutting to kick off the long awaited grand opening of the Park & Elm Restaurant on Friday, sponsored by M&M digital printing. A sizable crowd of community members attended the ribbon cutting to show their support for the newest endeavor by Glens Falls’ favorite mother and son entrepreneurs, Elizabeth & Ben Miller.
Prior to the ribbon cutting, people wandered the isles of the already popular Park & Elm Market & Deli. Conversations about already beloved “must-try” menu items filled the space. Both Ben & Elizabeth Miller kindly greeted guests, and cheers rang out as the ribbon fell.
Elizabeth & Ben Miller
Ben Miller then welcomed everyone in attendance to enjoy a drink at the bar prior to the first seating. Amongst the attendees was Andrea Harwood, the Director of Development and Site Acquisition for Habitat for Humanity: she said, “Elizabeth and Ben Miller are pillars of this community. We are fortunate to have innovators like them in our downtown corner.”
The bar area was large enough to comfortably accommodate the crowd. Everyone clearly enjoyed the architectural features of the industrial chic decor – decorative wooden tables set with simple yet elegant place settings accented the long teal banquet, which lined the wall that separated the bar from the dining room. The bar area was lined with high top tables, and the barstools were cushioned and had decorative backs. The decor was pulled together with exposed brick walls and a tin ceiling.
The Park & Elm menu will be executed by Executive Chef Matthew J. Delos; Delos and his staff moved across the street from Doc’s Restaurant, and will continue to feature the locally-sourced ingredients that his creative dishes are known for.
Park & Elm will be open Wednesday through Saturday, from 5:00 PM until close; the attached Market & Deli will operate Tuesdays through Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. For more information, please visit https://www.parkandelm.com/
Teddy Bears on the ice after Queensbury Scored Photo provided
Queensbury 5, Saratoga 4; the Queensbury Spartans faced off against the Saratoga Springs Blue Streaks at the Glens Falls Recreation Center on Friday night. This event featured the Annual Teddy Bear Toss – for the traditional Christmas season, promotion fans are encouraged to throw stuffed bears onto the ice!
Saratoga was the first to score with 2:50 remaining in the first period. Their goal came off the stick of Payton Borak, with no credited assist.
The second period was dominated by the Queensbury Spartans. To start the period off, Mack Ryan scored with 14:06 remaining; the assist was credited to Quinn Theis and Julien Shafer. This goal was followed by two more Queensbury goals – the first with 6:07 remaining was scored by Tyler Dufour, with the assists credited to Tanner Fearman and Oli Coughlan. Then, less than 2 minutes later, Tanner Fearman scored, assisted by Michael Deutsh and Tyler Dufour. Saratoga found the net once more with 2:46 remaining in the 2nd period; this goal was unassisted, and scored by Charley Oak.
Queensbury added to their lead on a 3rd period powerplay when Tyler Dufour connected with a pass from Oli Coughlan and Tanner Fearman, who were both credited with the assist. Queensbury was not done yet! Tanner Fearman put the “biscuit in the basket” unassisted for Queensbury’s final goal of the game. Saratoga staged a comeback with 2:31 remaining as Jake Bader scored a power play goal with the pass from Charlie Oke… But, as time ran out, Queensbury took the win over Saratoga: 5-4.
The goalie from Saratoga was Xander Clarke, who had 26 saves; Queensbury Goalie Jacob Fanciullo had 24 saves.
Queensbury will be on the ice against Shen on Wednesday, December 14th, at the Glens Falls Rec Center. Puck drops at 7:30 PM!
Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls hosted the opening of “Spirits In the Trees” on Sunday night at Crandall Park. The lighting of the trees took place at just after 5:00 PM; of the 100 trees on display, 94 of them were decorated. Patricia Van Buren, coordinator of the event, was on hand in the late morning on Sunday to help set up.
She was very pleased with the number of trees that were decorated: “Yesterday, it was so nice to see people talking and laughing as they decorated the trees. They were intermingling and introducing themselves to one another. It was wonderful to see the community together” she said, as we wandered from tree to tree, admiring each one. Van Buren decorated her own tree: “Celebrating People and The Cats they Love…and a few dogs.”
Patricia Van Buren and her tree
Just after 4:30, cars streamed into Crandall Park as the daylight faded into a gray snowy evening. People wandered around the trees, admiring each one and greeting neighbors and friends. There were heaters near the stage, and the boy scouts were raising money by offering hot chocolate for a donation.
The event included remarks from Kiwanis Club President Doug Shaver, and Mayor Bill Collins; these remarks were followed by an invocation by Pastor Chris Jewell of Queensbury United Methodist Church. After these remarks, there was a reading of the themes for each of the trees, and the program for the event had a listing of the trees and the people involved in donating it.
Doug Shaver credited past president and current club secretary Patricia Van Buren with advocating for the event: Shaver said from the band stand, “Spirits in the Trees was the vision of one of our past presidents and current club secretary, Pat Van Buren. Pat felt that families and friends, working together to plan and design a tree theme should gather to decorate those trees in remembering a lost loved one, honoring an individual or group dear to them, or celebrating the importance of something in their lives, would be a wonderful event to share with our community.”
Glens Falls Mayor Bill Collins
Mayor Collins gave the crowd a warm welcome and received cheers from the crowd. “This is an amazing thing that we’ve got here; and I hate to make predictions as Mayor, but I predict that after you see these lights lighting up, that you’ll all wish that I do that I got a tree. You know both my father and my sister passed away years ago right before Christmas, and it makes Christmas both more meaningful and a little more difficult every year. But as I walked out tonight looking at all of these trees I grew with regret that I didn’t take the time to do this. And I bet there’s a few others as you walk through tonight that would think the same thing. And I’ll bet you there will be double the number next year. Great ideas catch on and this is a great idea.”
The Abraham Wing Elementary School donated a tree, celebrating the Abraham Wing Community; second-grader Quentin Straight was on hand to show off the ornament that he had made in art class. When asked about the most exciting part of the event, Quentin said, “Seeing my artwork on the tree and seeing the tree light up.” Quentin was accompanied by his father Eric Straight, his mother Tori Phillips, and his aunt Johna Ferry.
Second Grader Quentin Straight & Family
After the trees were lit, there was seasonal music played by the Queensbury High School Madrigals. Trees will be lit every evening throughout the New Year.
Today, Gary discusses an upcoming vote on a renovation project at Fort Ann Central School District. Also, Park & Elm hosts a grand opening for their restaurant space, an update in the ongoing story of Cambridge Central School District’s mascot, and Warren County seeking input from residents in its revision of the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
00:02 – Intro 00:34 – Ad Break 1 01:26 – Story 1: Park & Elm 03:11 – Story 2: Cambridge CSD Mascot Change 05:22 – Ad Break 2 05:44 – Story 3: Fort Ann School Project Vote 08:07 – Story 4: Warren County Hazard Mitigation Plan 09:34 – Outro
Heating bills are expected to increase this winter by 28% in nearly half of US homes. The cold days of winter are upon us… Energy and fuel costs are soaring as supply continues to tighten, but there are ways to save on your heating bill. One way is to seal up leaks. There can be air leaks in walls, windows, ceilings… Anywhere air can escape. Caulking and weather striping are helpful ways to seal up air leaks. Programming the thermostat can also be helpful; there can be as much as a 10% savings a year by dropping the thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. Shutting doors of unused rooms, wearing warmer clothing, cooking, and buying curtains and shades are also affective ways to lower your heating costs.
As costs rise, people naturally look for alternatives to heating. Ventless gas heaters are heaters that do not have a vent or chimney… These heaters are inexpensive and can be placed anywhere in a house or apartment; however, the indoor air quality can be compromised. Since the 1980s, all ventless warmers have been required to include an oxygen depletion sensor – this senses the oxygen in the room, and if the concentration of oxygen falls below a certain threshold, the heater is turned off. Ventless heaters are not meant for long-term use, or to be used to heat more than one room; they are designed to only be used when essential, and under parental supervision… And, because the heaters do not circulate air from the outside, it is essential to open a window when using them.
Ventless heaters also create combustion byproducts that are harmful to your health: these include Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Water Vapor.
Carbon Monoxide is hazardous, and can be lethal in high concentrations; in low concentrations, it can cause health issues. Nitrogen Dioxide can affect your immune system and make you more susceptible to respiratory disease. Water vapor can cause mold to grow, which can trigger allergy and asthma attacks. Ventless heaters do not have sensors for carbon monoxide or other harmful pollutants.
There are extensive safety warnings that accompany ventless gas heaters. These outline the dangers and potential hazards of the heaters.
There are other alternatives to help keep heating costs lower and your home safer – changing filters ensures that the systems are working as efficiently as possible. A ceiling fan set to clockwise can be utilized to help to push heat down in the room. Buying shades and curtains help keep the house warmer; about 30% of heat loss is through windows.
These are safe and easy ways to help keep your home a bit warmer this season. Although ventless heaters may seem like a great bargain, there are health and safety risks associated with them as well.
Tucker Stanclift is the principal founder of Stanclift Law. He practices criminal defense and personal injury litigation, and is known for his aggressive yet compassionate representation of his clients. The focus of his practice is criminal law: DWI’s, civil litigation, personal injury, and vehicle & traffic law.
His office is located at 100 Glen Street, in Glens Falls, NY. From this office, he has a clear view of the Centennial traffic circle in downtown Glens Falls… From that vantage point, Stanclift enjoys watching all of the activity and progress that the City of Glens Falls is making. He credits the tangible improvements of downtown to the foresight of adding the Wood Theater: “The building of The Wood Theater was intentional by business leaders, for downtown restaurants, like Davidson Brothers, and more recently Farmacy, Craft on 9. The Wood Theater contributed to the vision of the downtown” Stanclift said in a recent interview.
Stanclift, who is originally from Lake Placid, attended St. Bonaventure University for his Undergraduate degree, and earned his law degree from Suny Buffalo School of Law.
Stanclift is also an avid supporter of the arts; he spent a summer at Oxford studying theater, and was no stranger to the stage at the Wood Theater. In his final performance at the Wood Theater, Stanclift performed in “A Few Good Men”; Stanclift portrayed the part of the prosecutor, which had been played by Kevin Bacon in the 1992 film version. Stanclift compares his role as a lawyer to that of a story teller, or a performer. “All I’m doing when I’m in front of a jury is telling somebody’s story” he said.
Stanclift has a relaxed and jovial manner, along with a respect and appreciation for the criminal justice system. He finds that taking the emotional element out of the situations for his clients is helpful: “Emotion plays an important role in these situations. I provide impartial analysis, critical thinking and options to my clients” he said. Stanclift represents his clients with the help of Sarah Desantis – his executive legal assistant of 3 1/2 years.
Stanclift emphasizes the importance of the structure of the law to protect people’s rights: “No one can take away a person’s right to a trial” he said emphatically. Explaining the options that are available is one of the essential aspects of Stanclift representing his clients – he communicates their options, and explains the implications and potential outcomes to his clients.
One of the programs that Stanclift is an advocate for is Drug Treatment Court. In this program, non-violent offenders voluntarily enter a treatment program. In Drug Treatment Court, the rules are clearly defined, and a contract between the offender, attorney’s, the District Attorney and the court is signed. Offenders who complete their drug program treatment court program may have their charges dismissed or reduced, or receive a reduction in their sentence.
The outcomes of these treatment programs have been overwhelmingly positive; Stanclift has seen clients that have had terrible accidents and have been prescribed strong narcotics. What begins as an essential pain reliever may quickly turn into an addiction; he has seen situations where this addiction has led to stealing, drug dealing, and robberies. The Drug Court Program creates a situation where people can take responsibility for their addiction, and get the help that they need.
Standclift is also an avid supporter of the new bail reform laws: “When a Judge sets bail, even a nominal amount, the rich get out and the poor stay in. It puts pressure on people and can even lead to false convictions. There is always going to be a tradeoff, but this bail reform is better for the system, and statistics don’t support that it has led to more crime” he said.
Among the promising changes in his profession, Stanclift finds the increased use of technology exceedingly helpful. “The legal environment has been bogged down with paper” he said, gesturing to his Chromebook; due to Covid restrictions and the need to still keep the court systems moving, there was a need for electronic documents. Documents are scanned into the system, the system is updated, and there is no need for boxes and boxes of paper that his profession is known for.
Technological advancement has also affected his communication with his clients; he isn’t tied to a designated phone line, but works primarily from his cell phone. This creates a situation where he needs to create boundaries so that he can be accessible to his clients, but also enjoy his family life: “It’s a problem that it seems like most families have, we are at the dinner table and staring at our individual phone screens. It takes some work to be present, and not distracted by technology.”
However, it is necessary for Mr. Standclift to be available outside of the usual “nine to five” hours. “The phone can ring in the middle of the night and someone is trying to decide whether or not to take a breathalyzer. They need advice. That’s part of my job” he explained.
Stanclift has seen improvements in bail reform, the use of technology and improvements within the system of public defenders as well. He credits the establishment of the Office of Indigent Legal Services as an important tool for people to understand their rights and receive the representation that they need. The purpose of this office is to assist county government and indigent legal service providers in the exercise of their responsibility. This office helps to create oversite so that people who qualify get the legal services that they need.
This office was established as part of the Hurrell-Harring settlement. The representation in this case was so inept that it violated the defendants civil rights. One of the stipulations of the settlement was the establishment of the office of Indigent services.
Stanclift is currently representing Anthony Futia – the accused motorcyclist who allegedly killed 38-year-old Jamie Persons and his 8-year-old step son Quinton Delgaillo in a motorcycle crash in Lake George. Futia recently rejected the Warren County District Attorneys offer of no more than 20 years to life in exchange for a guilty plea. Stanclift spoke for his client in court; barring any other offers, the judge has scheduled the trial date for March 20th.
Tucker Stanclift is a dedicated legal professional, and is active in the New York State Bar association where he held a former Chair of the Young Lawyers Section. He was also Chair of the Criminal Justice Section. In his free time, Stanclift enjoys spending time with his family and boating on Lake George. For more information, visit stancliftlaw.com, or call (518) 745-4346.
Today, Gary discusses the first public hearing set for Saratoga Biochar Solutions. Also, BOCES receives a boost for one of its adult education programs, the Warren County ARPA Advisory Committee suggests more funding for Glens Falls Hospital’s mental health services, and a grant brings new plants to Hudson Crossing Park.
00:02 – Intro 00:37 – Ad Break 1 01:42 – Story 1: BOCES Adult Education Boost 03:08 – Story 2: ARPA Recommends Glens Falls Hospital Mental Health Service Expansion 06:22 – Ad Break 2 06:44 – Story 3: Saratoga Biochar Public Hearing 11:56 – Story 4: Plant Grant for Hudson Crossing Park 13:10 – Outro
On December 19, 2022, Biochar will be hosting a virtual public information hearing regarding the plans to build a multi-million carbon-fertilizer plant in Moreau Industrial Park on Farnan Road. This meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams from 6p.m.- 8p.m. During the hearing Saratoga Biochar will present a 15 minute overview of the project, which will be followed by public comments and questions. To join the online meeting, use the following link: https://bit.ly/3UaoNjX. Saratoga Biochar CEO, Raymond Apy, said that the Department of Environmental Conservation approved the company’s public participation plan. More information about the Public Participation Plan can be found at saratogabiochar.com then click on PPP.
Saratoga Biochar Solutions has been established to build, own, and operate a fertilizer manufacturing plant in Moreau, New York. This facility is designed to process up to 15% of the biosolids generated in New York, and use them to produce a revolutionary bio-fertilizer. Although there are environmental benefits to the fertilizer that this company is producing, there has been no shortage of red tape, controversy, and push-back from the community.
In 1994, 243 acres of land were acquired by the town of Moreau and zoned for heavy industrial use; this area was designated the Moreau Industrial Park. This area was divided into 26 shovel-ready lots, and in 1997, the first occupant – adhesive manufacturer Hexon – moved into the industrial park… However, since then, there have not been any other tenants.
Recently, Northeastern Biochar acquired 2 lots in the park, hoping to construct Saratoga Biochar: a 74,300 square foot site that would take in biosolids that have already gone through the wastewater system, and then convert them into fertilizer. The plant would be built in three phases, combine two lots in the industrial park, and employ 20 people when it is fully operational.
The advocacy group “Not Moreau” has condemned the addition of a fertilizer plant in Moreau, with community members citing concerns about the access roads that will be built, the increase in truck traffic in the neighborhood, public safety, and potential pollution.
Image:Not Moreau facebook page
Gina Leclair – a former Moreau town board member – operates the “Not Moreau” facebook page. “The road I live on doesn’t even have yellow lines, it doesn’t have a shoulder. Other roads they’re looking at are residential-type roads. They have lines, but they’re not heavy traffic roads. To bring that type of traffic by all of these homes on these roads does not seem like a wise or safe idea” Leclair reportedly said. The traffic infrastructure is a concern that residents have been vocal about; the Biochar facility is expected to see twenty trucks a day, between the hours of 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM; that works out to 1.6 trucks an hour.
In addition to the community push back, Northeastern Biochar (the owner of Saratoga Biochar) has had to deal with no small amount of red tape: “We applied to the Town of Moreau planning board, and I’ll tell you this: I respect them immensely, (but) they haven’t made it easy for us” Raymond Apy, CEO reportedly said.
Biochar is focused on the environmental impact of the product they are producing; their goal is to remediate a waste problem and simultaneously create a clean and safe fertilizer product. Saratoga Biochar’s process uniquely destroys PFAS, VOCs, pathogens, micro-plastics and numerous other trace contaminants. These “forever chemicals”, micro-plastics and contaminants are removed from the solids and then thermally oxidized in gaseous form to full remediation. According to their website, the Saratoga Biochar process and air treatment systems reduces nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, particles, and odor; the Biochar processes are expected to help avoid potentially harmful compounds from being released into the Moreau air, water, and soil.
Biosolids are solid, organic matter recovered from the sewage treatment process, and can be used as fertilizer; since the 1920’s, the farming community has used raw sewage sludge from local wastewater plants. Scientific research over the years has confirmed that the biosolids within contain similar nutrients to those in animal manure.
Biosolids often end up in landfills, but landfilling proliferates pathogens and odors; the landfill system of disposal emits methane, spread PFAS and other contaminants in the air and water, and also wastes valuable resources like carbon and other nutrients.
PFAS stands for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They contain a strong carbon-fluorine bond; this allows them to accumulate over time in the environment, and in the bodies of animals and people., and they pose health risks. PFAS chemicals might also be thought of as “everywhere chemicals” since they’ve become so common in the products we use every day.
The goal of Saratoga Biochar is to create a cycle of fewer PFAS and other harmful contaminants that end up on lawns, and in farms, water, and the food supply.
North of Queensbury, the residents of Jenkinsville have contaminated well water; the affected residents have been drinking bottled water due to contamination in wells near an inactive landfill. The DEC has been providing bottled water to residents that showed 1.4-dioxane levels or above found in wells, and continues to study the nearby landfill believed to be the cause. Northeastern Biochar’s ultimate goal is to end the chain of micro plastics, PFAS and other particles showing up in backyards, water sources, and the human body.
With any environmental solution, there will always come a problem. A system that reduces forever chemicals in water, land and the food chain is important technology that can help the environment; however, this environmental advancement supposedly comes with increased traffic, noise, and possibly pollution in the community of Moreau.
As of the end of October of 2022, The Clean Air Action Network of Glens Falls filed a lawsuit: this Article 78 petition is against the Town of Moreau Planning Board, and Saratoga Biochar Solutions. The suit alleges that the Planning Board did not follow the State Environmental Quality Review Act before allowing the project to move forward.
KIRSH Helmets is a local manufacturer of motorcycle helmets, and Jason Kirshon – Chairman and CEO – and his team have recently improved the safety of their helmets by engineering and patenting a new fluid liner insert to protect the rider.
Typical motorcycle helmets use styrofoam as the liner to protect the rider in the event of an accident, but the KIRSH helmets use fluid displacement in the helmets instead of styrofoam: this technique reduces rotational acceleration more than any other type of helmet on the market today. Kirshon and his team have developed this technology, and pride themselves on the fact that the KIRSH Helmets are 100% American-made.
Kirshon, an avid motorcycle enthusiast, is critical of other helmet technologies that are on the market today: “The helmets today just don’t cut it. They’re either too big or don’t offer enough protection” he said.
Kirshon, who is originally from Lake George, has spent more than a decade researching and developing helmet technology, which is evident in the company’s name; KIRSH stands for “Kinetic Impact Reactive Safety Helmet”.
Patented silicon liner
Kirshon hopes the patented silicon technology will change the motorcycle industry for the better; he believes that fluid displacement in motorcycle helmets is the most effective way to reduce the number of traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and deaths.
Jason Kirshon also believes that the motorcycle industry is using the wrong material to protect riders: “The helmet industry in its entirety is misdirected. They are using lightweight material. The KIRSH Helmet is heavier and more dense. The important part is that it handles kinetic energy more effectively” Kirshon said during a recent interview. The KIRSH liner is made with a platinum-cured medical grade silicone, which is injected with high quality silicone fluid. There are more than 1,200 annual deaths associated with motorcycle crashes in the United States, and this cutting edge technology could potentially help reduce that number.
One major concern throughout the helmet industry is novelty helmets. Novelty helmets are often not made to withstand potential penetration in an accident; and the retention systems or straps do not reliably keep the helmet fastened on the rider’s head in the event of a crash… A helmet for fashion, it seems, is hardly a helmet at all.
Jason Kirshon prides himself on being able to explain 100% of the science behind the technology in the KIRSH Helmets; he has an in-depth understanding of the relationship between energy and force, which are factors in every crash. Kirshon can explain these complicated scientific concepts thoroughly and succinctly; his depth of knowledge clearly illustrates that the fluid insert in the KIRSH Helmet is far more than a simple gimmick.
At KIRSH Helmets, all of the work that goes into protecting the riders is collaborative: Kirshson and his team are involved in every step of the process. They manufacture and ship the helmets, and have a meticulous tracking system that takes into account each step of assembly.
Jason Kirshon. Paul Alesio, Jeannie Morehouse, Todd Kehley
Jeannie Morehouse has been working at KIRSH Helmets for three years and she loves her job. She got her job with the help of a life coach, and fills many positions at the company; but her most important job is packaging the helmets. “She sees what the customer sees. Hers are the last eyes on the helmet before it gets shipped to the customer” Kirshon said, obviously proud of her work. “Jeannie sees things that others have missed and makes sure that every single helmet shipped out is perfect”.
Jeannie is proud of her job at KIRSH Helmets: “I love it here” she said, and when asked what the best part of her job is, she said without hesitation, “SAVING PEOPLE’S LIVES!”
KIRSH Helmets focus is on the safety of the rider. Everything they do is to protect the rider from harm in the event of an accident, and that dedication is evident in every aspect of KIRSH Helmets… The United States Motorcycle market includes over 9 million motorcycle riders, and KIRSH Helmets wants to help each of them to “enjoy the ride”. For more information, please visit kirshhelmets.com
