Company Notebook Departments

Company Notebook

Big Y Sponsors
Sack Hunger Program
SPRINGFIELD — In a chain-wide effort to help the hungry within their local communities, all Big Ys are participating in Sack Hunger, which utilizes large, green, reusable grocery bags filled with staple, non-perishable food items selected by the food banks. The sacks include corn flakes, instant rice, elbow macaroni, kidney beans, peanut butter, cut green beans, sweet peas, whole kernel corn, chunk light tuna, and quick oats. Customers purchase a pre-assembled bag of groceries for $10, and then Big Y distributes the bags to that region’s local food bank. In turn, the food banks distribute the filled sacks to area soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, day care centers, as well as many of their other member agencies. All the donated sacks will be distributed within the supermarket’s marketing area so every donation stays within the local community. Big Y’s Sack Hunger campaign began in November and runs through December.

UMass, State Open
Marine Research Station
AMHERST — UMass Amherst and the Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries recently celebrated the opening of a shared marine-science research center following a $400,000 renovation. The station investment, located on an Atlantic Ocean cove in Gloucester, seeks to promote sustainable fisheries and economic development. The research station assesses the behavior of fish and the size and health of fisheries, which are vital to the state’s economy. In 2010, the commercial Massachusetts fishing industry landed 282 million pounds of seafood valued at $470 million.

AIC Breaks Ground for Eastern Gateway Project
SPRINGFIELD — The first phase of the city’s Eastern Gateway project was launched recently with a groundbreaking ceremony in front of 1168 State St. The Eastern Gateway represents a joint venture between American International College (AIC) and DevelopSpringfield, the city’s nonprofit, 501(c)(3) economic-development corporation. The project seeks to create a mixed-use development that will include appropriate institutional, retail, and commercial uses; offer a pedestrian environment at the entrance of AIC’s athletic field complex, and serve both the college and the neighborhood. Also, by revitalizing the underdeveloped section between Austin Street and Roosevelt Avenue, the project aligns with the city’s efforts to continue strengthening the State Street corridor. The redevelopment program resulted from a study commissioned in 2008 by the State Street Alliance, an affiliation of more than 60 businesses, educational institutions, neighborhood councils, faith-based organizations, and nonprofits. The study identified near-term development opportunities for revitalizing the 3.2-mile-long corridor, and recommended several projects, including a supermarket to serve the Mason Square community and market-rate residential housing at 195 State St. — a project that is underway. Eastern Gateway is a multi-phase effort; phase 1 includes acquisition, remediation, and greening of the area, and phase 2 includes refinement of a site development plan, construction, and work to transform a marginal pedestrian environment into a vibrant, contemporary urban district.

Law Firm Earns
Top Ranking
SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. has recently been named in the 2011-12 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers as one of the “Best Law Firms” in America. The firm received Metropolitan First Tier Ranking for Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Corporate Law, Elder Law, Real Estate Law, and Tax Law. “While we very much value our clients, and our commitment to them is paramount, it is a thrill to have been recognized as one of the best law firms in America by our peers,” noted Gary Fentin, partner. “We have a very dedicated and talented team, and it is because of their hard work that we have been given, and accepted, this tribute.” Currently, the firm has 13 attorneys. Best Lawyers compiles lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers, according to Fentin.

Comcast Launches Xfinity Phone Service in Granby
GRANBY — Comcast recently announced that residents and businesses in town now have access to innovative and reliable voice service, according to Mary McLaughlin, senior vice president of Comcast’s Western New England region. Comcast’s Xfinity Voice and Business Class Voice services for homes and businesses, respectively, are now available and can be combined for ‘triple-play’ packages that include cable television, Internet services, and phone services. McLaughlin noted that residents and businesses can switch to Comcast without changing their current phone numbers. “We’re excited to provide Granby with access to our full product suite and to also provide a new choice in quality phone service,” she added.

Bank Celebrates Customer Appreciation Week
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank celebrated its partnership with Legacy Banks during Customer Appreciation Week on Dec. 12-16. The weeklong celebration included a variety of special events and promotions, including an Android smartphone giveaway program. Additionally, members of the community were asked to vote for their favorite nonprofit organization to win a $1,000 grant from the Berkshire Bank Foundation –Legacy Region. A total of $11,000 will be provided to 11 community organizations as part of the initiative.

Big Y Again Will Sponsor Spalding Hoophall Classic
SPRINGFIELD — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame recently announced that Big Y World Class Markets will continue its partnership as the presenting sponsor of the 2012 Spalding Hoophall Classic. The high-school basketball tournament is in its 11th year and has expanded to five days with 46 teams at Springfield College’s Blake Arena on Jan. 12-16. Seven of the nation’s top nine teams from the ESPN FAB 50 rankings will be participating. “We are extremely grateful for Big Y’s commitment to the Hall of Fame and the Spalding Hoophall Classic,” said John L. Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “Big Y has been a major participant in the Springfield community, and their support will continue to make an impact on hundreds of aspiring basketball players from New England and around the country.” Tickets are on sale at the Basketball Hall of Fame for $15 for adults and $10 for youths/students (18 and under). All patrons who present a Big Y World Class Market Savings Card will receive a $1 discount on each ticket purchased. For more information on the event, visit www.thehoophallclassic.com.

Northeast Realty Chooses Egan, Flanagan and Cohen
SPRINGFIELD — Northeast Realty Associates LLC, owner of a 152-acre parcel of land in Palmer where Mohegan Sun is proposing to develop a destination resort casino, has retained the law firm Egan, Flanagan and Cohen, P.C. The firm will offer a range of services for Northeast Realty, with attorney Stephen E. Spelman serving as lead counsel relating to the Palmer project. Spelman previously served as an assistant district attorney at the Hampden County District Attorney’s office, and has also worked for Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York City.