CHAMBER NEWS - July 2013

ShopRow, Main St.
 At 33 Union, the windows are here for you! (and more)
 
  
As I sit at my desk and I look out toward Union Street, I see one of our great member benefits - members using our store front display windows.  Members are lucky to have their Chamber office in a central, high traffic, downtown business district and the opportunity to use one of our windows to showcase their products and services.
  
A window is available to you for a two week period and it's free of charge for our  members.  We light up the windows at night to bring extra attention to your display and have a collection of photos of past windows to help you in your planning.  Please give the office a call at 413.527.9414 to find out what weeks are available and to reserve your spot.
  
Speaking of the Chamber office and marketing opportunities, I remind all our members that we also have space in our literature carousels to display a flyer about your enterprise.  Plus, in our member information area, there are racks for your business cards for our office visitors to pick up.  Please feel free to stop by with your information and cards.
  
While we're on the subject, our office at 33 Union also provides another benefit for our members.  We can offer you the use of our conference room, again at no charge, if you wish to hold a meeting for your business.  It seats 18 folks comfortably, has a refrigerator and microwave, plus wi-fi.  Once again, check in with the office to see if the room is available for your meeting.
  
The Chamber is more than happy to provide you with these "tools for your trade" and thank you for your valued support and membership! 
    
erics sig no back  
Eric Snyder
Executive Director
In This Issue
Member Spotlight
Member News
Upcoming Events
New Members
You're Member2Member
Eye on Policy
Newsletter Archives Manhan Bridge Updates
Member Spotlight: Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy

PVFA logo

 ) at 94 Cottage Street, Easthampton, teaches the art of fencing to people of all ages. Owner Paul Sise has been teaching for about 14 years and has owned and operated PVFA since 2003. His facility has been recently renovated to allow for larger classes.

 

 

Paul has the distinction of being a certified Fencing Master and one of the youngest of 76 masters in the U.S. He offers coaching clinics throughout New England, has authored books and essays on fencing, and in March 2011 was named to the US Fencing Coaches Association's Certification and Accreditation Board. Paul also coaches at the Eagle Hill School in Hardwick.

 

Fencing not only provides a great source of exercise but is also challenging, rewarding and a boon to college-bound students, who according to a recent poll have found it an advantage to getting into their choice of schools. Rates for classes are reasonable, and the academy offers one-week summer classes as well as year-round classes for people at all levels of skill.  

 

A few students from the academy have qualified for the USA National Fencing Championships each year for the past few years. Last week, two out of the three students who represented PVFA won awards

 

View this video to meet Paul and see the new PVFA facility.

 

 
  
PVFA has three other certified fencing coaches, R.J. Ferullo, Dr. Ken Mondschein and Kelly Fitzroy, as well as assistant instructors Mariam Ibrahim and Angela Grabasz.

Paul can be reached at 413-204-6387. For information about PVFA classes, coaches, fees, FAQs on fencing, videos and testimonials, visit the website at

www.pioneerfencing.com and the PVFA Facebook page.

  

 
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We would like to help you get followers, likes or subscribers. The Chamber website allows for links to your YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages. Give the office a call or shoot us an email and we can add the links to your Directory page.  

Member News:  Cottage Street Cultural District Surges Ahead 

 

Cultural District The Massachusetts Cultural Council named Easthampton's Cottage Street a state-designated Cultural District in March 2013, and on May 2, an official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place. Since then, many activities have been organized to put the District and its businesses on the map.

 

A Cultural District Sub-Committee has been formed, of which Easthampton City Arts (ECA+) is a member. ECA+ has posted a new community Facebook page featuring news and promoting events from all of the businesses in that area, and added a Cultural District page to its website as well showing maps and photos. Official signs for the District are being installed this week, and a project to install new sculptural bike racks on both Cottage and Union Streets is awaiting selection of the final proposals.

 

The Cultural District Sub-Committee is meeting for the second time this week to discuss beautification for the district, maps, and hints of a future festival.

 

A cultural district is a compact, walkable area of a community with a concentration of cultural facilities, activities, and assets. MCC's Cultural Districts initiative grew out of an economic stimulus bill passed by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2010. It is designed to help communities attract artists and cultural enterprises, encourage business and job growth, expand tourism, preserve and reuse historic buildings, enhance property values, and foster local cultural development. Approval of the Cottage Street designation was the result of the collaborative support of city government, ECA+, the Chamber, and local business community.  

 

ECA+ logo See the ECA+ website and Facebook page, or for more information, contact Burns Maxey, ECA+ Coordinator, at 413-527-8278 or [email protected] .  

 

 

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Member/Area News: "Step Outside" Exhibit and Fundaiser for PCT at Nash Gallery 

Nash Gallery An exhibit and fundraiser for the Pascommuck Conservation Trust, entitled "Step Outside," is currently on display at Nash Gallery, 40 Cottage Street, Easthampton, until August 31.

 

On exhibit is the open space-inspired artwork of 17 artists, ranging from the contemporary (shadow box assemblage, collage, scanography) to more traditional two-dimensional landscapes in watercolor and oil.

 

Participating artists are Francie Riddle, John Paul Gardner, Jon Schluenz, Peggy Grose, Terre Unite Parker, Simone Alter-Muri, Debra Tautznik, Gillian Haven, Harriet Graicerstein, Wendy Coco, Robert Markey, Valerie McQuillan, Suzette Alsop-Jones, Marty Klein, Laura Singleton, Patricia Czepiel-Hayes and Bobbe O'Brien.

 

Artwork is for sale with 50% of proceeds benefiting the Trust (tax-deductible) and 50% to the artist. Prices range from $50-$500. Funds raised from this event will be used for trail access and maintenance on PCT public lands.

 

The benefit was conceived of by Chamber member Marlies Stoddard, Nash Gallery owner. "My mother, Mai, has been a long-time member and supporter, and she first introduced me to the Trust at one of the annual plant sales. Since then, I have made the Nash Gallery available to the Trust in whatever capacity is needed," said Marlies. She is an avid hiker and enjoys having access to the Trust lands. "I am a huge fan of the Ed Dwyer property. It is so unassuming. One would never anticipate that such natural beauty is located in the heart of the Pleasant Street industrial zone." The gallery is hosting the event and facilitating sales pro bono.

 

Pascommuck Conservation Trust holds and manages eight conservation areas comprising 160 acres. Their website, with trail maps and other information, can be found at www.pctland.org. Marlies can be contacted about the exhibit at 413-529-9393, and more detail about Nash Galley can be found at www.nashgalleryart.com.  

  
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Making Moves:  Cooley Dickinson Becomes Affiliate of MGH 
 

Cooley Dickinson Hospital  

Congratulations go to Chamber member Cooley Dickinson Health Care, which  on July 1 successfully became an affiliate of

Massachusetts General Hospital and Partners HealthCare System.

The hospital, whose name will not change, will continue its collaboration with MGH on providing cancer care, begin telestroke and teleneurology consultations with Mass General physicians, plan for more high quality health services, and create efficiencies that will reduce costs and prices of medical care to make it more affordable for local residents.

More details about the new affiliation can be found at Cooley Dickinson's website at http://www.cooley-dickinson.org/Main/News/261.aspx.

  

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ECA+ EVENTS

 

Art in the Orchard
Aug. 10 -  Oct. 31

Sights and Sounds, Art Walk Easthampton
September 14

Know Thy Past -  Art Walk Easthampton
October 12

Light Up the Arts
Holiday Bash
December 5

 

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Do you have news to share or have an interest in the "Member Spotlight"? Contact us at the Chamber office 413.527.9414 to learn more.