COMPLIMENTARY • DECEMBER 2013

CONSTANTINE FARMCONSTANTINE FARM

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www.zephyrpreservation.com

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MIRON'S FOCUSES ON FLOORS.THREE GENERATIONS OF EXPERIENCE

IN FLOORINGFor over 70 years, Miron's for Floors has been selling and installingcarpeting and floor coverings in the Capital Region and beyond. Miron'sfor floors is located at 239 Remsen Street (near Columbia Street) inCohoes and continues their flooring tradition with cousins Dick & DaveMiron.Backed by three generations of experience in customer service andprofessional installation, starting with their grandfather, William andthen their dad's and Uncle’s Lee, Mars, Bill and Aunt Alice Miron(Turgeon) - Miron's for Floors continues to evolve with the latest changesin floor covering options available for today's Residential as well asCommercial flooring consumers.They are your best source for hundreds of styles and colors in namebrand flooring choices. They have attractive, natural ceramic, stone orwood look vinyl flooring by Armstrong, Congoleum, Mannington orTarkett. Other popular flooring options include laminate flooring byArmstrong or perhaps real hardwood or ceramic tile floor in any area ofyour home. For some rooms the warmth and comfort provided bycarpeting from Mohawk or Dixie Home, adds just the right look and feelunderfoot.Miron's experienced factory trained installers are acknowledged by threegenerations of customers as experts with prompt, efficient installation.The Miron family today still continues to bring it's tradition of qualitycustomer service and installation to every customer. Call today 237-1313!

MIRON'S for FLOORS239 Remsen Street Cohoes • 237-1313

M T W F 9am-5:30pm • Th. 9am-7pm • Sat 9am-2pm

Greetings. My name is Kevin Hotaling and as ofabout three weeks ago I became the new ownerof the Our Towne Colonie publication. I'mexcited about this opportunity and look forward

to creating a publication that's informative for readers, and successful forlocal advertisers. I would like to continue to keep the small-town feel, ourhometown, and let you know of the things that are happening in ourcommunity along with the local merchants that help make this a uniqueplace to live.I have some big plans for the publication. Beginning in March 2014 TheOur Towne Colonie will move from a bi-monthly to a monthly publicationschedule. During this time of "getting my ears wet" and learning aboutthe business from the people within it, I'm trying to absorb as much as Ican.If you are reader, my goal is to make this an informative and interestingpublication that you'll enjoy picking up each month to see what'shappening in your community. Along with articles about the people andbusinesses that help make Colonie and the surrounding areas unique, I'mparticularly interested in showing off our history.If you're an advertiser, or a business considering advertising in the OurTowne Colonie, you will be happy to know that I plan on making thispublication both larger in content along with a broader reach ofcirculation. The only way for this to happen is by enlisting your help withadditional local content.As I reflect on the recent SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY emphasiswe had during our Thanksgiving season, I wonder what it would be likefor all of our small business owners, and our local economy, if we kept thatmindset throughout the holiday season and into next year whenever wemake a purchasing decision. Because I have worked both as a manager inthe large corporation world of business, and now most recently as a smallbusiness owner myself, I have to say that my mindset has changed 180°from my thinking in the past. Small business, and those that they employ,are the backbone of our country. Kindly take a minute to stop and reflecton this idea when you think about where you're going to make yourpurchases this holiday season. I know I am already.I am excited about the possibilities for the upcoming editions of the OurTowne Colonie publication and hope you look forward to receiving it.Wishing you, your family and friends a joyous holiday season.-Kevin Hotaling

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I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.

- Harlan Miller

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May your walls know joy,may every room hold laughter,

and every window open to great possibility.

- Mary Anne Radmacher

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EVALUATING YOUR ANTIQUESWith vast amounts of information available on our multiple electronicdevices most of us assume that with minimal searching we can findalmost any answer.When we have medical symptoms we find ourselves self-diagnosing viamedical websites. When the washing machine is acting up we try totroubleshoot via a google search. So too with determining the value of, forinstance, a newly inherited antique. We search for blue and whiteStaffordshire plate or gone-with-the-wind lamp or signed photograph ofHumphrey Bogart and up pops thousands of items for sale… items onindividual websites, items on Ebay, items on 1st Dibs, etc. We findsomething that looks like ours, especially if it shown with a price tag in thethousands, and we are thrilled.The pitfalls are numerous, however. Popular items have revivals, rare itemsbreed reproductions and fakes, famous people have secretaries that signfor them. And, more often than not, we find someone offering “our item”for a price that is really not grounded in the marketplace. Anyone mayoffer any item at any price, but will it actually sell at that price? Navigatingthe subtleties is the difficult task and often requires the advice of someonewho has previously examined the variables.Determining value is a multiple stage process. Is your plate historicalStaffordshire from the 1820's or 1830's or is it a revival piece from 1910?Is your lamp a 19th c. oil lamp that has been electrified or is it an electriclamp produced to cater to the desire for an “antique look”? Is yourphotograph signed in the negative or is the signature stamped or is itinked by a secretary or actually signed by Bogart?After determining what you have then you have to find out what peopleregularly pay for such an item. Often that requires access to auctionrecords and often that is not something that is freely available on theinternet. Much of that sort of information involves purchasing asubscription to a site that collects such data (Artnet.com, searchabpc.com,Artfact.com, etc.).It is perhaps not yet time to dispense with doctors, appliance repairmen orantiques professionals.Whether you have a single item or an entire household, theknowledgeable and courteous staff at Dennis Holzman Antiques canprovide you with answers and advice. They offer a wide range of servicesthat includes consultation, estate liquidation, appraisals and purchase ofone item or a houseful.

Dennis Holzman Antiques 111 Remsen Street Cohoes • 326.2061

www.holzmanantiques.com

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.They must be felt

with the heart.Wishing you happiness.- Helen Keller

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Find perfect holiday gifts for everyone on your list at ourannual Christmas Craft Fair. Over fifty regional crafters arerepresented, offering thousands of items for your perusal.Jewelry, apparel, ornaments, household goods, toys andgourmet jams are among the most popular items. This is agreat opportunity to Buy Local while also helping topreserve an important historic site!

The Craft Fair is open Monday through Saturday from10am- 4pm and admission is free.

Shaker Heritage Society25 Meeting House Road • Albany

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THE "MOM & POP" PIZZA SHOP CAN STILL BE FOUND...

Most days, it's just me and my husband doing everything in the restaurant.We cook, clean, wait tables, spin the dough you name it.One particular evening, we were absolutely slammed. It happened to bethe night that my sisters and brothers in law were dining with us.At another table was a mother and her young son. I had to go to take adelivery and my sister in law jumped in to help.At the same time my brother in law ran to the back to help in the kitchen.That little boy thought he had to work here to pay for his food because itappeared that everybody else was working after eating. We all had such alaugh.

Hometown Pizza(518) 235-2600

150 Remsen Street • Cohoes

If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation,

you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude,

a feeling that nurtures the soul.

- Rabbi Harold Kushner

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GET MOVING!Need to incorporate more movement into your life? Here are some simpleideas that are easy, don't require any memberships, and take little time.Make your health a priority in your life! Increasing movement in your lifehelps you become healthier and better able to handle stress. Not movingbecause you have no energy is like asking a fireplace to give you heat beforeyou put logs in. It's backwards! If you want to sleep better, have moreenergy, and better handle stress in your life, then use your imagination andsimply move! Notice I did not use the E word (exercise), as many peoplehave a negative impression of exercise, when, in fact, exercise is supposedto be fun. When we were kids, we begged our parents to be able to playjust one more game or to play just a little longer, but ask an adult for onemore set or rep of an exercise and see just how happy they are. So insteadof formal exercise, let's talk movement, play and FUN!

Get creative and increase movement to become fitand stay healthy! Remember to keep it fun so yourinner child WANTS to play along. Happy movementeveryone!!

Shannon K. Keyes, Certified HypnotistRegistered Yoga Instructor

518-598-6968145 Vly Road #6

Shaker Pine Plaza • Niskayuna

1. Go for a walk. The weather is still great, enjoy it! 2. Pedal exercisers are a wonderful way to turn TV time into anopportunity to move. They are inexpensive, small, and can work yourarms and legs while you stay up to date on your latest show.3. Dance! Start dancing as you get ready in the morning or at night.Listen to your favorite music and just jam!4. Jump rope. It's great exercise and if you don't have a rope, justpretend and jump anyway. You won't have to worry about gettingcaught up in the rope that way.

1 Can Condensed Milk 2 Eggs Dash Salt 1 tsp Vanilla1 Quart Whole Milk 1 Cup Seagram's VO (or whiskey of your choice)

Beat milk and eggs, add salt and vanilla. Top with whipped creamand sprinkle with nutmeg. Enjoy!

ZEPHYR PRESERVATION STUDIOAre you the ‘keeper’ for the family heirlooms? Have you just discoveredtreasures in the basement or attic? Not sure what to do to make sure theysurvive for the coming generations? Give Zephyr Preservation Studio a callfor a consultation!Sarah C. Stevens, owner of Zephyr Preservation Studio, LLC, has beenpreserving historic and precious textiles for over 15 years and can help youwith your family’s fabric treasures – from quilts, flags, christening gowns,wedding gowns, rugs, samplers, and other embroideries.Consultations include an assessment of your collections, determining whatyou would like to do with them (display, archival storage – saving for thenext generations), and then advising on what can be done and the cost.Do you volunteer or work at a historical society? Do they need assistancewith their collections? A consultation is available for institutions and canhelp determine what can be done to preserve the historic collections.Assistance can also be provided for display and exhibition as well asreproductions for pieces that are too fragile to be on display or for examplesthat are needed for educational programming.

www.zephyrpreservation.com518-961-0250

Home-MadeHolidayEggnog

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50% OFF ENTRÉEOn Your Birthday

Purchase One Entrée and Receive One50% Off Dinner on your Birthday.

With this coupon.Expires 12/31/13

50% off entrée must be of equal or lesser value than other entréepurchased. Valid on parties of two or more. Actual date of birthday only.

Does not include private parties. Main dining room only.Proper ID required. Not valid with any other offers.

Expires 12/31/13

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Anybody who has ever tried to get a cat ina carrier to go to a veterinarian knows theexperience can be unpleasant for both theperson and the feline! Due to this there aremany cats that are never brought to theveterinarian. It is very important that all catshave a physical exam with a veterinarian atleast once a year, and more often when theyare older. There are many problems that canbe detected on physical exam by aveterinarian that may not be noted by eventhe most attentive owners. For our felines tolive a long, happy life we need to make thattrip to the veterinarian easier for them andtheir owners.

The first step is understanding your cat'sbehavior. Unlike dogs that take car ridesoften to fun places like parks for walks,most cats are only put in a carrier and in thecar once a year for that yearly trip to theveterinarian. Cats need time to adjust tothe unfamiliar. Purchase a carrier wellbefore it is needed. The best type of carrieris an inexpensive hard sided plastic carrierthat can be easily taken apart in the middle.There are several reasons for this. It is easierfor you to place your cat in the carrier'sbottom and then gently place the top onrather than try to push your cat in the smalldoor in the front. Once at the veterinary

hospital the top half can be taken off and inmost instances the veterinarian can do yourcat's physical exam with him or her sittingin the bottom half of their carrier. This keepsthem in a familiar place and is much lessstressful for your cat.

Before even trying to get your cat in itscarrier, the carrier should be left out in aroom the cat spends a considerable amountof time in. Place familiar soft bedding insidethe carrier. If your cat sleeps with you, placeyour pillow case or other bedding inside thecarrier because it will be a familiar scent foryour cat. Treats, catnip and toys can beplaced in the carrier to encourage your catto investigate the carrier. This process cantake time. Be patient. If your cat is evensitting next to the carrier reward him or herwith treats and attention. Over time yourcat should become familiar with the carrierand willingly go inside and spend time lyingin it.

There is also a product that can help calmyour cat and make the entire process mucheasier. Feliway is a synthetic facialpheromone that can help your cat respondpositively to unfamiliar or stressfulsituations. It comes in several formsincluding diffusers that plug in to an outlet,

a spray and wipes. A diffuser can beplugged in near the cat carrier and this willencourage your cat to want to be in thisspace. The idea is that these pheromonesare telling your cat “this is a safe place tobe”. We recommend spraying the towel orbedding that is used in the carrier 30minutes before placing your cat it thecarrier. If your cat is very vocal or stressed inthe car a towel sprayed with Feliway canalso be used to cover the carrier. It is a goodidea to bring this towel in to the veterinaryhospital with you. If the waiting room iscrowded or noisy keeping the carriercovered with a Feliway sprayed towel canreduce your cat's anxiety.

With time and patience, following theabove steps can help your cat be moreexcepting of getting in the carrier. Whenyour cat is less stressed, you will be lessstressed and the whole experience will bemore enjoyable for both of you. Rememberthe goal is to help our felines live longermore comfortable lives and getting them tothe veterinarian calmly and safely will helpus achieve that goal.

Anne Marie Carmichael, D.V.M.Sand Creek Animal Hospital

446-9171130 Wolf Rd, Albany, NY 12205

This is Dante!

Reducing the Stress of Veterinary Visits for You and Your Cat

Dante is a handsome 2 year old who is neutered and up to date on all of his shots. He wasfound wandering alone on the streets of Albany, but is finally safe and sound! Because of hisrough start in life, he does have trust issues, and is looking for the perfect person or peoplewho will understand him. He is working on his issues, and is picking up “good dog” behaviorsvery quickly. Due to his special needs though, he will not be adopted to a home with smallchildren. If you can earn the trust of this great little man, he'll give you all the love in the world!

GETTING YOUR CAT TO THE VETERINARIAN

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25 Bedford Street Cohoes, NY 12047