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Effectively us ING promotional products

By YOUSSEF FADAL

1. Reinforce ongoing messages with what is called the medium that remains to be seen. Whether it’s the slogan in your ad campaign or the theme of your incentive plan, a promotional product will keep the message in front of your audience — in 3-D!

2. What are you purchasing? Your promotional products distributor is the link between you and the suppliers. An experienced distributor will help you differentiate between good and questionable suppliers.
3. Who is this product for? You won’t impress a decision maker with a budget pen or mug. Similarly, a trade show isn’t the place to distribute expensive watches.
4. Establish relationships. Catalog or online distributors may save you pennies occasionally, but will they be on the lookout for items for your next event or campaign?

5. Quality, not quantity. Example: give a nicer gift to the people who take the time to hear your presentation at a trade show instead of a more generic item to everyone who walks by.

6. Be prepared! Your logo represents your brand. Have different digital formats (color, black and white, small, large).
7. Budget and plan ahead. The tighter your budget, the more planning time you should allow yourself and your distributor to find the right product for your project.
8. Set firm goals. What will this product accomplish? If unsure, are you wasting your money?
9. This ‘green’ thing. Using environmentally friendly promotional products could be a start. Use ceramic mugs instead of paper in your break room. Promote a carpooling program.

10. Are your office supplies working for you? You already purchase adhesive notes, pens, pads, pencils, and recordable CDs. For pennies more, these and other items can be customized.

Youssef Fadel represents NEPM (New England Promotional Marketing) and has been in the industry since 1987; (413) 237-4907.

Features
Marketing Campaign Promotes the City and Its Convention Facilities as Second to None
The Springfield First campaign is designed to specifically spotlight the MassMutual Center and its many amenities.

The Springfield First campaign is designed to specifically spotlight the MassMutual Center and its many amenities.

‘Think Springfield, Massachusetts.’ That’s the gist of a bold, new marketing campaign recently rolled out by a group of tourism-focused agencies called Team Springfield. The multi-faceted campaign, called ‘Springfield First,’ is designed to introduce, or re-introduce, meeting and convention planners to the city and its MassMutual Center, and get across the message that there’s much that’s new and much to like about the City of Homes and the surrounding region.

As the old adage goes, seeing is believing.

Mary Kay Wydra remembers a tour she helped provide just over a year ago to some prospective clients kicking the tires on the MassMutual Center as the possible site for a convention. One of the visitors hailed from the Worcester area and, prior to the visit, had tried to dissuade his colleagues from booking the Springfield venue, saying, in essence, ‘Why would we want to go there?’

“He never really gave his reasons,” said Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (GSCVB). “But during the site inspection, the man said, ‘you know what, I haven’t been to this city in years. What a difference 10 years makes!’”

This, in a nutshell, is the essence of the message that a group of tourism-focused groups, brought together in a collaborative effort known as ‘Team Springfield,’ is working to get across in an ambitious, multi-faceted, $500,000 ad campaign designed to show just how big a difference a decade or so makes.

Targeted toward convention and meeting planners, the campaign, launched last month, will introduce, or reintroduce, this constituency to the MassMutual Center — created through a $71 million expansion and renovation of the old Springfield Civic Center — and, in the process, answer that question about why a group should want to come to Springfield.

There are plenty of reasons, said Wydra, listing everything from affordable rates to a considerable inventory of hotel rooms; from attractions both inside the city and a few miles from it to a facility, in the MassMutual Center, that can handle events of all sizes and types. This broad message will be delivered through a host of media, including ads in trade publications, direct mail, a new Web site (www.springfield-first.com), and other Web-based forms of marketing, such as electronic newsletters.

‘Think Springfield, Massachusetts’ is the tagline to a series of ads developed by Team Springfield, which is comprised of the GSCVB, the Mass. Convention Center Authority (MCCA), and Philadelphia-based Global Spectrum, the private facility management firm that handles day-to-day operations for the MassMutual Center. That line is the Jeopardy-like answer to questions such as: ‘Looking for a Convention Center Beyond Expectations?’ and ‘Looking for a Creative Solution for Your Next Convention?’

The broad goal of the campaign, said Wydra, is to get more people to see Springfield and the MMC, and thus become believers. And she herself believes the timing is ultimately right for such a campaign.

“We’re stronger than ever now,” said Wydra of the MMC. “We have a great marketing team in place. In the past, we never had this aggressive marketing plan. We haven’t been out in front of the meeting planners the way we’re going to be out there now. I’m confident that we’re going to start seeing a building that will be utilized far more than it has been in the past.”

Recently, Wydra sat down with BusinessWest to talk about Springfield First, and to detail just how the MMC is going to be competitive in bringing those convention dollars to the city.

First Things First

As she talked about the new marketing campaign, Wydra said that, while it will place heavy emphasis on the word ‘Springfield,’ it will do likewise with the word ‘first.’

“We want Springfield to be first in the minds of the meeting planners when they are thinking about a venue of this size,” she explained. “But Springfield is also known as the city of firsts, and we thought that name has a lot of legs in terms of future promotions. Basketball, the Duryea automobile, Dr. Seuss, the Granville Brothers airplane, Springfield Rifles, things like that … the campaign was created to get the word out there about what gives this city a rich history.”

The focus of Springfield First is on three types of business for the region: leisure, or people on vacation in the area, group tours, and especially the conventions and meetings at the MMC.

“Conventions and meetings are the best type of business,” said Wydra, “in that they tend to be the most lucrative. You convince one person to bring a meeting here, and they bring with them hundreds if not thousands of people.

“But we can also convert those visitors into leisure travelers,” she continued. “That’s always our goal, so that when people come here for business, we want to expose them to enough of the region outside of their program — their business for being here — where they say ‘wow, Six Flags is there, Yankee Candle is there, and I’m coming back and bringing the kids next time.’”

The three organizations behind ‘Springfield First’ — MCCA, Global Spectrum, and GSCVB — recognize that, in terms of attracting conventions, the infrastructure and everything else needed to make successful meetings happen in Springfield is now in place — and the mission at hand is to get that message out.

“For years we had the Marriott and Sheraton hotels, but this building was offline,” Wydra explained, referring to the minimal professional organization space at the Civic Center, which was shut down during renovations. “But now we have a mix of the first-class meeting space, really nice downtown hotels, and spill-over hotels in surrounding communities that can be offered at a lower price point. Adding to all the attractions is the ease of travel to Springfield.

“We knew that we needed to get this building back in the minds of meeting planners,” she continued. “And we wanted them to understand that it’s been transformed. People who had been here six, seven, or eight years ago knew it as the Civic Center, when it was an arena with a tiny, 9,000-square-foot exhibition room. It’s completely different.”

Indeed, what reopened in September 2005 was a contemporary structure bearing little resemblance to its former self, with nearly 150,000 square feet of new meeting and convention space on two levels.

Global Spectrum is Philadelphia-based, yet has an international presence, and at the MMC it will focus on short-term bookings, while the GSCVB focuses on long-term business, or meetings for well down the road. Wydra called this the “bulls-eye” type of client: one who would be planning an event 15 months or more out.

Conventional Thinking

In discussing why now is the time for the Springfield First campaign, Wydra spoke to the amount of planning, organizing, and marketing put into gear for the MMC. “We were very focused on putting a process in place,” she said, “with the Team Springfield advisory committee and with our sales team, and going through our pipeline of businesses.

“This is a very competitive industry,” she continued. “We have Worcester, Hartford, Albany, and Providence nearby. We knew we needed to have a presence out there, but we knew we needed to be organized and ready also.”

To set the MMC apart from its many competitors, Wydra explained the additional personalized level of treatment from the administration of the MMC, the GSCVB, and the city of Springfield. “We really sell the concept of big-city services and small-town hospitality,” she said.

“We work with the convention planners,” Wydra continued. “When they come to the city, we’ll put the ‘welcome’ signs up downtown, we’ll get them the mayor to come greet the group, we’ll do welcome tables in their hotels, get their name across the marquee at the Sheraton, or even talk to the press about covering their meeting or convention. There’s a staffed ‘ambassador’ booth here in the building. So if you need help registering people for your convention, we’ll help you do that.”

Wydra explained that many of the groups she encounters tend to be volunteer organizations. In addition to their groups’ organizational needs, they probably have full-time jobs. “These people have to make a huge convention happen,” she said. “There are people in the workforce who do that as their full-time job. We’re able to say to that type of client, ‘let us help you with the details; that’s what we’re here for.’ That really goes a long way for them. To my knowledge, a lot of our competition doesn’t offer such programs.”

While targeted customers tend to be regional, with the Northeast as a focus, there are those outside groups for whom the Springfield’s size is an asset. Wydra mentioned an international organization, the Daughters of the Nile, that visited a few years ago. “Prior to Springfield,” she said, “they had gone to Orlando, where they were meeting in a hotel. Here in Springfield, they are in the convention center. For a larger city, they were just a drop in the bucket. Here, they were on the front page of the local newspaper for three days.”

Equally important to the Springfield First campaign is the business community outside of the convention center. “Team Springfield is all about economic impact,” said Wydra, “and so is the MCCA. They know that the bang for the buck is when there’s hotel revenue, when these people are dining out, and maybe they’re going out in the evenings after their events.”

In order to open up the city and region, Team Springfield has tie-ins with locations outside of the MMC to give local flavor, said Wydra. “We tie in some unique meeting venues,” she said. “One of the things we’re able to say to meeting planners is, ‘you’ve got an opening-night reception? Have you thought about having it at center court in the Basketball Hall of Fame? Or maybe up at one of the museums in the Quadrangle? We’re talking with a group right now who always has a golf component to their convention, so we’re working with the Ranch Golf Club in Southwick to make that part of our proposal.”

And while the publicity and the planning for Springfield First is new this year, Wydra makes it clear that organizers aren’t selling a ‘new’ Springfield. “The city has everything a convention group would need, and that’s what we’re selling, Springfield as it is now, with all the amenities and attractions that goes with it.”

With direct-mail initiatives and marketing in industry publications, Wydra said that the red carpet is rolled out, Team Springfield is ready to go online, and there are “robust candidates in our tentative schedule.”

All this proves, as was said once before, “if you build it, they will come.”

Sections Supplements
Seizure-sensing Dog Makes Nighttime a Safe Time for Chicopee Boy
Adam Byczko has a best friend in Kita the German shepherd

Adam Byczko has a best friend in Kita the German shepherd — one who not only is a faithful companion, but also protects him when he is most vulnerable, during the onset of an epileptic seizure.

Susan Byczko was tired.

“I was up every hour worrying, constantly in fear,” she said. “And Adam was afraid to go to bed at night because he might wake up in the emergency room, not understanding what’s going on.”

That’s life for a single mom of a boy with epilepsy brought on by a chromosomal disorder — epilepsy so severe, in fact, that an episode not caught in time could kill him. She had video monitors installed in her bedroom, but seizures aren’t always loud or obvious on a screen, and there was no way she could be on the alert for Adam’s safety 24 hours a day. No person could do that.

But a dog can.

Specifically, a 2-year-old German shepherd named Kita, who joined the Byczko family last year after intensive training for one task: to sense an oncoming seizure and alert Susan to administer medication early, when the event is more easily controlled.

When a seizure begins, she said, “Kita gets extremely upset. Her mouth actually quivers, and she intently paws at me.”

But the dog has become much more than an early-alert warning; she’s also a best friend to a boy whose disorder — fragile X syndrome — and its attendant developmental delays have made it difficult to establish normal friendships.

“He’s a little boy who can’t talk and can’t relate to other children. He doesn’t understand the social rules of life,” Byczko said, noting that Adam might hit or slap when something bothers him, which doesn’t exactly go over well on the playground.

“So Kita’s like a best friend to him,” she continued. “Sometimes she irritates him, but she’s always there. She sleeps with him, and she keeps an eye on him no matter where they go.”

Possibly a life-saving eye.

Genetic Surprise

Adam Byczko was born in January 2001, and 13 months later was diagnosed with fragile X syndrome. It’s caused by a defective gene that can be carried in families for generations without manifesting any symptoms. His mother later found that she, her mother, and her brother, as well as his children, are all carriers. “You don’t know you’re carrying a bad gene until it pops like this,” she said.

In Adam’s case, the mutation meant developmental delays in motor skills, mobility and balance issues, autistic tendencies, and mild retardation.

“The doctors thought he would be profoundly mentally retarded when they gave the diagnosis, but it’s nowhere near that,” said Byczko. “He gets on the computer, he plays video games … he’s a bright little boy.”

But over the next few years, she learned of a frightening side of fragile X, which is the epilepsy that strikes about 30% of children with the disorder. Adam had one seizure early in life, but then nothing for years — until he was about 5 years old, when they began in earnest, up to three times a week, some lasting up to 45 minutes, and many landing the boy in the emergency room. “They don’t stop unless they’re caught immediately,” said Byczko.

Various medications over time have made a big difference in reducing the frequency and severity of the seizures, but they didn’t solve the dangerous matter of nighttime seizures, when she wasn’t awake to administer treatment right away.

She looked into bed monitors, but none she read about was approved for use in the U.S. On the Epilepsy Foundation Web site, she learned about seizure alert dogs, but found that publicly funded programs had a three- to five-year wait. But then, she came across the organization that changed Adam’s life: 4 Paws for Ability, based in Xenia, Ohio.

“I contacted them and told them about Adam, and the first thing they said was, ‘yes, we’ve worked with children with fragile X before.’ She knew what it was, which surprised me. Most people have never heard of it.”

Soon after, the organization approved her application, Adam’s neurologist signed off on the idea, and the adoption process was under way.

The Byczkos waited six months for Kita — whose father was a champion show dog in Canada — to finish training. They also had to raise $9,800 for the cost of training and raising Kita from birth; with generous community support, Byczko raised more than $12,000.

“That six months was a long wait,” she said. “This miracle worker was coming, but she wasn’t quite here yet.” Last May, the wait was over. The family stayed in Ohio for two weeks undergoing training with Kita as a group before finally taking her home to Chicopee.

In the months leading up to the adoption, every time Adam had a seizure, Susan would double-bag his shirt and send it to Ohio so Kita could grow accustomed to the scent; during an episode, enzymes with a very specific odor are released, and Kita learned to recognize that scent, the same way canine companions of diabetics learn to recognize a dangerous blood-sugar imbalance.

“It’s amazing; you never think about what a dog can do,” Byczko said, adding that Kita also apparently recognizes irregularities in Adam’s medicine dosage.

“Twice he has had spikes in the level of toxicity, and both times she was very nervous and kept notifying me. It seems the more and more they bond, the more things we’re finding she can do.”

Gradual Friendship

Adam and Kita weren’t instant buddies, said Byczko.

“It took awhile for them to bond,” she recalled — about three months, which is still faster than many companion dogs bond with autistic children. “I’d say she bonded to Adam before he bonded to her. She is wonderfully tolerant with him; he slaps her, hits her, pulls on her, and a lot of times she’s in his face when he just doesn’t want her there.

“But they’re fun together,” she continued. “She gets rambunctious and runs around the house, and he stands there with the giggles and belly laughs. Or he throws balls for her outside; he loves balls, and she does too. I think the personalities of the two of them match up. They both love to have fun, but they’re also kind of mellow.”

Kita is also teaching Adam independence. His condition has posed some balance issues, but by holding onto the dog’s leash, he can maneuver onto curbs, up and down stairs, and other routine steps without his mom’s assistance. On at least one occasion, Kita deftly stepped in front of Adam to brace him when he tripped over a curb.

“You know, he’s never going to know who the presidents are. He’s never going to learn algebra,” Byczko said. “But what he will learn, hopefully, is life skills. He’ll learn that he doesn’t have to hold somebody’s hand to walk up stairs. And isn’t that what we all want for our children, for them to grow up and be independent?”

She is disappointed that Adam’s school doesn’t allow the dog on the premises, instead opting for a nurse on hand at all times to keep an eye on him. But otherwise, she’s enjoying the sense of relief and security that a loving dog has brought to their home after too many months of worry and sleeplessness.

“Adam is better about going to bed,” she said, “and I know he’s safe, and that’s priceless. He’s been a great addition to our family.”

Which, in some ways, is surprising to Byczko. “I had never wanted a dog,” she said. “I didn’t want poop in the yard, I didn’t like being licked, the whole thing. I had always had cats.”

“But she’s very sweet and gentle with him, even when he’s not that way with her,” she added. “She definitely loves him unconditionally, no matter what.”

In other words, she mothers him — and lets his mother get some much-needed sleep.

Joseph Bednar can be reached at

[email protected]

Features
Ad Club Welcomes Nominees, Guests to 2009 ADDY Awards

The Ad Club of Western Mass. will roll out the red carpet — literally — for area marketers at this year’s ADDY awards event, slated for Thursday, March 12 at CityStage in Springfield.

This year’s awards are “all about ADDYtude,” said club President Alta Stark, stressing and she expects a fun, spirited celebration of local advertising and marketing creativity.

“We want to have a little fun with this,” she said. “We’ll have a red carpet, and we’ll have some fun with people on the red carpet. We want to encourage them and have a good time, and we’ll have entertainment geared toward that.”

The regional ADDYs recognize creative excellence in all media — radio, TV, Web, and print — and include a wide range of formats, including interactive, out-of-home, and public-service advertising. All contestants who take home a silver or gold ADDY are eligible to continue on to the national level of competition.

The ADDYs are typically a three-tier event, with district winners advancing to regional competition, and regional winners put forward for national consideration. But the Western Mass. region has only one district, so its annual event doubles for both.

Stark called the competition an important part of the region’s business landscape, one that entrants take seriously.

“Agencies and creative professionals see this as a great selling tool,” she said. “What better way to attract more business than saying, ‘hey, we brought home six ADDYs; we must be doing something right.

“Sometimes,” she added, “agencies enter works on behalf of clients, or people enter their own work. We see a lot of both.”

The Ad Club will kicking off the festivities with a cocktail party and ‘grand buffet’ — catered by Elegant Affairs — at 5 p.m., during which time all the regional nominees will be on display. In all, 166 entries were received this year from creative firms and in-house marketing departments across the four counties of Western Mass.

At 7 p.m., the club will announce the winners. That will be followed by dessert and coffee, with the event wrapping up by 9 p.m.

The judges for the event are Susan Cook Adkins, president and creative director of Adkins & Associates of Benbrook, Texas; Mark Bazil, professor of Advertising at Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia; and Gregg Steward, senior vice president of DDB in Miami.

“All the judges are experienced on the national level,” said Stark, explaining that such judges will be looking for qualities that will succeed at the next level. “We wanted to bring in people who have experience with the national ADDYs so that these works will be judged on a similar level of competency.”

Gold sponsors for the event are the Republican and MassLive. Hampden Bank is the silver sponsor, and bronze sponsors include New England Promotional Marketing, the Baystate Regional Sleep Program, Bidwell ID, and Del Padre Digital.

Tickets cost $50 for club members, $60 for non-members, and $25 for full-time students. To register, log ontowww.adclubwm.org, or call (413) 736-2582.

— Joseph Bednar

Opinion

Ed Leyden acknowledged that it’s tough not knowing if his hard, time-consuming work will pay off until seven, eight, or maybe 10 years down the road. But what he does know is that he has to keep doing it.

Leyden, president of Ben Franklin Design & Manufacturing in Agawam, was referring to the tours he gives to young people — some in high school, but many even younger — designed to impress upon them the good health of the precision-machining sector in Western Mass. and the many attractive career opportunities it offers.

These tours take a few hours, and, while they’re not exactly heavy lifting, they can be difficult because the subject matter is rather intense, and sometimes it’s difficult to make a connection with the eighth-graders wearing the borrowed safety glasses. That’s why Leyden always takes an extra few minutes to show visitors the cars, trucks, and SUVs that his employees drive. It’s often easier to make an impression that way than with 30 minutes of talk on computer-assisted design.

What Leyden adopts is what amounts to a ‘whatever it takes’ approach when it comes to sparking an interest in his sector, and he’s certainly not alone. Shop owners who are busy trying to attract business and make deadlines for current customer orders are still making time for these tours — given to groups as small as a handful of youngsters — because they know they must if they are going to have a sufficient supply of workers for next year, a decade from now, and two decades from now.

The ‘whatever it takes’ mindset prevails not only among precision manufacturers in this region, but in other sectors as well, such as health care and, to a lesser extent, ‘green’ businesses, environmental science, and the biosciences — and we’re glad this attitude prevails.

That’s because, as we’ve said many times, the region’s economy is, and will always be, only as strong as its workforce, and when it comes to economic development, this is priority one, plain and simple.

Addressing the problem requires diligence, teamwork, and imagination, in equal doses, and we’ve seen some great examples of these qualities come together. One of the latest is a program called Career Explorations — Robotics/Precision Manufacturing, one component of which was Leyden’s latest tour. The initiative is designed to introduce, or reintroduce, young people and, when possible, their parents to the precision-machining sector and, in the process, eliminate some lingering misperceptions about the industry.

In addition to tours of plants like Ben Franklin, students, in this case members of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Springfield, visit area community colleges and Putnam High School in Springfield to see how one goes about getting on the path to such a career. There is also a series of classes in robotics designed to stir the imagination and provide lessons in teamwork.

The program involves a number of partners, from the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County to Springfield Technical Community College; from the Black Men of Greater Springfield to the National Tooling and Machining Assoc. They all understand the importance of helping young people and their parents make smart decisions about career paths and thus which high school to attend.

Such partnerships, and there are many of them, as we said, hold vast potential to reduce dropout rates and poverty rates, while also helping to ensure that the region, individual sectors of the economy, and specific businesses have the qualified employees they’ll need to keep their ventures going.

The programs have different names and varied missions, but there is a common denominator — that ‘whatever it takes’ attitude that drives Leyden, other shop owners, hospital presidents, and college administrators.

Not all of these people wind up giving tours of the parking lot, but they’re all doing essentially the same thing — making those vital connections.

They are the key to a stronger workforce, and that’s why these groups and individuals must continually look for new and effective ways to make them.-

Opinion
The Value of Teaching 21st-century Skills

Think strategically. Use technology wisely. Work collaboratively. Communicate effectively. And recognize how the world around you connects to everything you do.

Employees are expected to be steeped in these and other skills their first day on the job. In today’s weak economy, the resumes of those who don’t speak the language of the 21st century are quickly passed over.

That is why the debate over the value of teaching students so-called ‘21st-century skills’ is baffling. These skills include problem solving, financial and business literacy, global awareness, and innovation. A vocal minority disregard them as ‘soft skills,’ but others recognize them for what they truly are: the number-one job requirements for anyone interested in success after high school.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Task Force on 21st Century Skills recently released a set of recommendations of ways these skills can be integrated into the K-12 curriculum in Massachusetts. Since then, a debate has ensued between those who see the benefits of fully integrating these skills in schools and those who misinterpret this effort as a first step toward dismantling education reform.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The Commonwealth has long been seen as a leader in education reform, and our curriculum and performance standards are widely hailed as among the strongest in the country. Massachusetts has worked hard to earn its position as the top-performing state in the nation on measures like the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and in December it ranked among the top performers around the world on the Trends in Math and Science Study exam.

The simple fact is that a focus on standards and academics is no longer sufficient, as evidenced by persistent, troubling achievement gaps.

Our role now as policy makers, educators, business leaders, and parents is to provide students with the best of both worlds: a strong and challenging academic curriculum, and a full infusion of the 21st-century skills students will need to succeed outside of high school. Denying students the right to learn what we recognize is required by today’s employers goes against our goal of providing all students with all the tools they will need to succeed after high school, regardless of race, ethnicity, or ZIP code.

There is no shortage of research on this topic, and plenty of naysayers who dismiss these skills as ‘soft.’ But even Washington Post columnist Jay Mathews, a critic of the 21st-century skills movement, was forced to rethink his position after reading a recent report by the Education Sector. The turning point for him was a simple phrase: The best learning happens “when students learn basic content and processes . . . at the same time that they learn how to think and solve problems.”

This is not about teaching either academics or skills; this is about blending the two and teaching one using the other. Some teachers will need additional training to get there, the frameworks will need to be enhanced, and the vision of a ‘typical’ classroom will need to be rethought. Taking these and other necessary steps will move us in the direction the global economy demands and help provide students with the education they will need to compete with their international peers.

We cannot stand still. I am pleased to hear input on the specific recommendations as the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education begins its evaluation of the Task Force report and works with Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester to develop an implementation plan for the items deemed most important, but we cannot be paralyzed by an unreasonable fear that altering our course will curtail progress.

This is hard work, and it must be done in a careful, thoughtful way, but it must be done.-

Maura Banta chairs the Mass. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and is the eastern regional manager for corporate affairs for the IBM Corp.

Departments

Breakfast Club

March 4: The Springfield Marriott at Two Boland Way will be the setting for the Breakfast Club meeting of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS), starting at 7:15 a.m. The breakfast will salute Convergent Solutions Inc. for winning BusinessWest’s Top Entrepreneurs award for 2008, and Roberts & Sons Printing Inc. for a new generation of ownership. The March of Dimes is the nonprofit salute for the month. William F. Dowling, Esq., president and managing partner of the New Britain Rock Cats Baseball Club, will speak on “From the Paper City to the Hardware City: A Baseball Odyssey.” Reservations must be made in writing and in advance. Tickets are $20 for ACCGS members and $25 for non-members. Reservations may be made through Diane Swanson, events manager, ACCGS, 1441 Main St., Suite 136, Springfield, MA 01103-1449, by fax to (413) 755-1322, or via E-mail to [email protected] or by visiting www.myonlinechamber.com.

Brown Bag Luncheon

March 4: Nate Winstanley of Winstanley Associates will present “Branding Your Business: Be Brave or Be Gone” from noon to 1 p.m. as part of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce’s Brown Bag Series. The lunchtime workshop is designed to help area business owners and managers with marketing strategies during tough economic times. The workshop is free to all Berkshire chamber members, and attendees are invited to bring a brown-bag lunch. The chamber office is located at 75 North St., Suite 360, in Pittsfield. To register, visit www.berkshirechamber.com, or call (413) 499-4000, ext. 26.

Ann Hood Lecture

March 5: Bestselling, New England-based author Ann Hood will present a free lecture at 7 p.m. in Empsall Hall at Bay Path College in Longmeadow as part of its Kaleidoscope series. Winner of the Best American Spiritual Writing Award, her last two novels (Comfort and The Knitting Circle) have received wide acclaim. For more information, call (413) 565-1066 or visit www.baypath.edu.

Innovative Voices Conference

March 10: The MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield will be the setting for a capacity-building conference, co-presented by the Women’s Fund of Western Mass. and Bay Path College. Titled “Innovative Voices: Crafting a New Agenda for Leadership,” the daylong conference will feature guest speakers Sara Laschever and comedienne René Hicks. Workshop topics offered throughout the day will include: “New Faces in Leadership I: Generations & Cultures,” “New Faces in Leadership II: Strategies for Change,” “Wikis, Twitter, and Blogs – Oh My!” “Learning to Ask: Negotiation Basics,” “The Art of Politics: Navigating the Political Waters,” and “Making Yourself Memorable: Personal Branding from the First Handshake.” Workshops will also include “Expanding our Capacity: Energizing Our Spirit,” “Balancing Mission and Money: How Nonprofits Can Do Both,” and “Finding Your Voice and Changing the World: Passion, Emotion, and Leadership.” Registration is $70 for the first organizational attendee and $60 for each additional organizational attendee. The deadline to register is March 2. For more information, visit www.womensfund.net.

Brown Bag Luncheon

March 11: “Recession-proof Stress Management” will be presented by Richard Fabozzi of Richard Fabozzi Presents from noon to 1 p.m. as part of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce’s Brown Bag Series. The lunchtime workshop is designed to help area business owners and managers with stress-management strategies during tough economic times. The workshop is free to all Berkshire chamber members, and attendees are invited to bring a brown-bag lunch. The chamber office is located at 75 North St., Suite 360, in Pittsfield. To register for the workshop, visit www.berkshirechamber.com, or call (413) 499-4000, ext. 26.

Casino Royale Fundraiser

March 14: Anyone who enjoys gambling for a great cause is invited to check out Casino Royale, CityStage’s annual fund-raiser, at the Sheraton Hotel in Springfield. Highlights of the affair include hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, live entertainment, prizes, a live auction, a 50/50 raffle, and a mystery raffle. Single tickets are $100, which includes $400 in gaming money. There are also special groups of 10 rates available, as well as VIP tickets for $150 each. Casino Royale begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (413) 788-7646. Pit Boss sponsors are Berkshire Bank, Hampden Bank, MassMutual Financial Group, Mercy Medical Center, and United Bank.

Get Beyond ‘Hello’

March 18: Steven Valenti of Steven Valenti Clothing for Men will present “Get Beyond ‘Hello’ — Delivering Exceptional Customer Service” from noon to 1 p.m. as part of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce’s Brown Bag Series. The lunchtime workshop is designed to help area business owners and managers with customer-service strategies during tough economic times. The workshop is free to all Berkshire chamber members, and attendees are invited to bring a brown-bag lunch. The chamber office is located at 75 North St., Suite 360, in Pittsfield. To register for the workshop, visit www.berkshirechamber.com, or call (413) 499-4000, ext. 26.

Employer Outreach Breakfast

March 27: The Regional Employment Board of Hampden County Inc. (REB) is gearing up to place young people in summer jobs, and encourages businesses to attend an employer-outreach breakfast to learn more about the program. The breakfast is planned from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Big Y Foods Inc.’s corporate headquarters at 2145 Roosevelt Ave., Springfield. There are three ways that businesses can help the REB: hire a youth, donate money, or become a worksite. All aspects of the program will be reviewed by REB representatives. Anyone planning on attending the event should RSVP to Kathryn Kirby at [email protected] or call (413) 755-1359.

Rock ‘n’ Roll & Management Styles

April 15: “Everything I Learned About Management, I Learned From Rock ‘n’ Roll” will be presented by James M. Wilson III, Ph.D., assistant professor of Business at Bay Path College; and Gregory Jones, director of Cannes Associates Production Management. Wilson and Jones have been conducting research for three years on the production of live concerts featuring Metallica, Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bob Dylan, and Willie Nelson, among others, with a focus on how event management contributes to organizational theory. The free lecture at 7 p.m. will take place in Breck Suite in Wright Hall at Bay Path College in Longmeadow. The event is part of the Kaleidoscope lecture series. For more information, call (413) 565-1066 or visit www.baypath.edu.

Women’s Professional Development Conference

April 30: Bay Path College in Longmeadow will host the 14th annual Women’s Professional Development Conference from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. For more information, call (413) 565-1293 or visit www.baypath.edu.

Departments

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Adkins, Carnedius
Adkins, Freda F.
4 Cranberry Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/20/09

Arnold, Jennifer L.
1010 Dunhamtown-Brimfield
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/27/09

Barrett, Robert P.
Barrett, Michelle L.
a/k/a Hannah, Michelle Laurie
30 Cooper St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/26/09

Bisaillon, Michelle Anne
9 Keefe Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/16/09

Carrasquillo, Hector L.
95 Sumner Ave., Unit 3
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/19/09

Cauley, William J.
334 Jarvis St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/23/09

Champagne, Walter T.
126 Clement St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/19/09

Chatterton, Kelli-Ann
236 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/23/09

Chechile, Frances M.
a/k/a Chechile, Francesca M.
280 Nassau Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/27/09

Coulombe, Kathleen Dorothy
116 Church St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/21/09

Damiano, Frank P.
118 Mashapaug Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/23/09

Davis, Christopher
10 Sumner Ave., Apt. 28
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/21/09

Dejesus, Erasmo
79 Leete St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/20/09

Dimitroff, Franklin S.
Dimitroff, Marie-Claude R.
241 Shoemaker Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/16/09

Dodge, Samantha Gene
244 Elm St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/22/09

Doubleday, Lizbeth T.
PO Box 177
Deerfield, MA 01342
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/23/09

Dugas, Michael P.
Dugas, Sylvie E.
14 South Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/20/09

Duquette, Elzear F.
65 Eden Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/23/09

Fiorda, Barbara A.
33 Morse St., #1
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/23/09

Fischer, Charles E.
156 Mohawk Forest Blvd.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/17/09

Fournier, Curtis M.
28 Alfred Ave.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/23/09

Gauthier, Scott D.
40 Reed Hill Road
Wales, MA 01081-9764
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/26/09

Gonyer, Bernard James
Gonyer, Linda Marie
8 Clark Ave.
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/23/09

Gore, Carl J.
Gore, Kyra M.
176 Pinedale Ave.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/23/09

Groves, Alexander J.
Groves, Lorraine P.
30 Maple St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/21/09

Haas, Randolph W.
7 Clinton Ave., Apt. 4R
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/23/09

Her, Chong H.
Her, Shoua K.
a/k/a Khang, Shoua
PO Box 204
South Barre, MA 01074
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/22/09

Hurrye, Frank
17 Baywood St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/19/09

Kennon, Ronald E.
88 Brooks Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/22/09

Lacombe, Michael Anthony
62 Thyme Lane
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/20/09

 

LaMagdelaine, Richard James
LaMagdelaine, Dawn Marie
216 Elm St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/21/09

Landis, Theodore C.
27 Smithfield Court
Springfield, MA 01108-3129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/22/09

Lloyd, Christine M.
18 Palmer Road, #7
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/21/09

Mackie, Shaun D.
206 Appleton Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/26/09

Maguire, Fred L.
104 Old Hickory Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/25/09

Mainville, Paul R.
PO Box 654
West Warren, MA 01092
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/24/09

Malouin, Dorothy B.
5 Powers Mill Road
Phillipston, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/23/09

Mattieu, Camilla Claudia
Botta, Roberto Geremia
32 Green St.
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/20/09

McGinley, Scott J.
Lauterbach, Rebecca S.
42 Eton Street
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/23/09

McMahon, Guy Joseph
McMahon, Donna Lee
42 Grove St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/19/09

Mitchell, Morgan G.
Mitchell, Kathleen A.
a/k/a Parkinson, Kathleen A.
34 Bayberry Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/27/09

Montori, Lisa A.
13 Dana St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/22/09

Morales, Iris M.
574 Plainfield St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/19/09

Murphy, Betty A.
235 Beech St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/26/09

O’Connell, Tamara L.
85 Carlton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/27/09

Oliveras, Angel
Oliveras, Liliana
718 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/16/09

O’Neill, Wendy J.
a/k/a Petell, Wendy J.
128 High St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/16/09

Pond, Daniel W.
Pond, Teresa M.
1393 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/19/09

Presnal, Thaddeus Joseph
340 Grove St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/16/09

Randall, Toby E.
Randall, Rebecca J.
a/k/a Brown, Rebecca
6 Hastings St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/25/09

Raymond, Scott M.
314 Fredette St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/26/09

Rivera, Cynthia
163 Farnum Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/23/09

Rivera, Deborah
43 Woodcliff St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/19/09

Robinson, Deborah S.
P.O. Box 369
Leeds, MA 01053
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/21/09

Servis, Tiffany M.
a/k/a Blakesley, Tiffany M.
24 South West St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/26/09

Shafer, Pamela M.
6 Shaw Road
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/24/09

Shirley’s Childcare
Griffith, Shirley Marie
6 Roosevelt Ter.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/23/09

Silvia, James F.
Silvia, Cheryl A.
245 Dorset Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/19/09

Vanuni, Kristine
149 Chantilly Ave.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/26/09

Departments

Bright Nights Launches 15th Season

SPRINGFIELD — The recent launch of the 15th season of Bright Nights at Forest Park included details of a new display, “Winter Garden,” a new logo, and a master plan to provide maintenance and improvements to the park. Wanting to make a major impact on the 2009 season, the “Winter Garden” display will extend the holiday lighting experience by a quarter-mile. The icy blue and white lights will transport visitors to a garden with frost-covered urns, snowflake towers, a fountain, deer, snowflakes, and a carousel. While many pieces are new, some were donated by Tower Square. To ensure the longevity of Bright Nights at Forest Park, the Spirit of Springfield and the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings & Recreation Management have prepared a comprehensive document, inventorying all 390 display pieces and planning for the constant renewal of the displays and the park. The five-year plan, 2009-2013, is expected to exceed $3 million, with support from the private and public sectors. Looking back at 2008, Bright Nights at Forest Park officials said the holiday season was a success. Vehicular traffic, both cars and buses, increased; there were 1,081 more cars than in 2007 and 19 more buses. Survey results show that, while in the area, visitors also frequented the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside, Yankee Candle, Friendly’s, Pizzeria Uno, and the Springfield Museums. The impact statement also takes into consideration the $283,000 paid to the City of Springfield (police, fire, and public works) for the season. For more information on Bright Nights at Forest Park, visit www.brightnights.org.

MassMutual Settles Battle With Ousted CEO

SPRINGFIELD — The legal battle between the MassMutual Financial Group and its former chief executive officer, Robert J. O’Connell, has ended, with both parties keeping specifics of the settlement under wraps. O’Connell had been fired by MassMutual’s board of directors in June 2005 for reasons including improperly flying on company aircraft, misusing trading accounts, interfering in the discipline of his son and son-in-law, both of who were employees of the company, as well as other infractions. Since the firing occurred, an arbitration panel ruled in favor of O’Connell in the fall of 2006, and in January 2007, Suffolk Superior Court Judge Allan van Gestel found no evidence of any problems with the arbitration panel’s hearings. In addition, the state Appeals Court dismissed MassMutual’s appeal of van Gestel’s ruling in favor of O’Connell. Last November, both MassMutual and O’Connell agreed to voluntarily dismiss the case, and the Appeals Court accepted that decision.

Survey: Economic Confidence Drops in Bay State

SPRINGFIELD — More than one-third of state residents believe the national economy will get worse over the next 12 months, and one-fifth believe their own financial situation also will worsen, according to the latest survey from the Western New England College Polling Institute. The telephone poll of 569 adults, conducted Feb. 2-11, also found that eight in 10 were very or somewhat confident that President Obama will make the right decisions about the economy. Nearly 70% approved of the job that Obama is doing as president, while only 11% disapproved, and 21% said they did not know or did not offer an opinion. The poll, which has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4%, found that 39% of residents believe the national economy will get worse over the next 12 months. That’s a 13-point increase since November, the last time the Polling Institute asked the question in a statewide survey. Nearly one-third (32%) said they expect the economy to get better, down seven points from November. Pessimism was highest among those ages 50 to 64, with 47% predicting the economy will deteriorate further. Young adults ages 18 to 29 were the most optimistic, with 50% saying they expect the economy to get better in the next 12 months. Complete results of the poll are available at www.wnec.edu/news.

Federal Reserve Predicts Economy to Shrink

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve has revisited its earlier predictions and now projects that the economy will shrink and unemployment will continue to rise in 2009. Under the new projections, the Fed expects the unemployment rate to rise to between 8.5% and 8.8% this year. The old forecasts, issued last November, predicted the jobless rate would rise to between 7.1% and 7.6%. Fed officials also predict the economy will contract in 2009 between 0.5% and 1.3%. The November forecast said the economy could shrink by 0.2%.

Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of February 2009.

AGAWAM

Zymroz Landscape Construction, LLC
793 Silver St.
$150,000 — Construction of a storage building for a landscape company

AMHERST

Amherst College Trustees
Scott House
$740,000 — Conversion of an existing residence into new office space

PPG Nominee Trust I
25 North Pleasant St.
$2,500 — Replace siding

CHICOPEE

Montgomery Granby Partners, LLC
447 Montgomery St.
$764,000 — Construction of United Bank

GREENFIELD

Argotec Inc.
53 Silvio O. Conte Dr.
$169,000 — Installation of a structural steel mezzanine

Home Depot USA Inc.
278 Mohawk Trail
$71,000 — To reorganize the interior appliances, furniture, and walls


RGW Realty Trust
370 Deerfield St.
$1,200 — Interior renovations

HADLEY

Sandon Pearson
173 Russell St.
$35,000 — Build-out of interior space for Hillside Pizza

Sandon Pearson
173 Russell St.
$96,000 — Build out of three commercial spaces

HOLYOKE

Executive Trust
850 High St.
$83,000 — Interior renovations

Mechanical Properties, LLC
539-540 Canal St.
$17,000 — Office alterations

LUDLOW

Primavera Restaurant
257 East St.
$19,000 — Interior alterations

 

NORTHAMPTON

Cornerstone Chapel of Assembly of God
572 Bridge St.
$32,000 — New roof

Lathrop Community LLC
680 Bridge St.
$236,300 — New siding on buildings 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, and 16

Pride Convenience, Inc.
375 King St.
$1,000 — Non-structural interior renovations

SOUTH HADLEY

Mt. Holyoke College
240 Ferry St.
$20,000 — New deck

SOUTHWICK

Westfield Savings Bank
456 College Highway
$4,125 — New ATM

SPRINGFIELD

Arnold St. Repairs, LLC
99 Arnold St.
$3,000 — Repair of water damaged non-bearing walls

BSC Realty
395-405 Dwight St.
$126,000 — Expansion of kitchen and seating at 350 Grill

Joli Hair Salon
1655 Boston Road
$36,000 — Interior renovations

Leigh Realty of Florida
633-635 Liberty St.
$133,000 — Renovations for Dollar Store

Mass Mutual
1500 Main St.
$95,000 — Alterations to Suite 601

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Goodless Electric
100 Memorial Ave.
$10,000 — Repair damage caused by motor vehicle

RME Enterprise
640 Riverdale St.
$687,000 — Renovate 4,891 square feet of commercial space for restaurant

Departments

Tighe & Bond Wins Engineering Award

WESTFIELD — The American Council of Engineering Companies of Connecticut recently presented Tighe & Bond and the Aquarion Water Co. of Connecticut with an Engineering Excellence Grand Award for the Palmer Dam rehabilitation/Dean’s Mill Water Treatment Plant improvements project. Tighe & Bond provided engineering and construction-phase services for the $18.5 million project, which was constructed by Daniel O’Connell’s Sons of Holyoke. When Aquarion Water Co. acquired its Mystic System in 2002, the firm inherited a state Department of Environmental Protection consent order requiring repair of the Palmer Dam. Corrective measures were mandated because the dam’s spillway could not safely pass the volume of water projected in the event of flood conditions. Aquarion retained Tighe & Bond to engineer the Palmer Dam repairs because they proposed a cost-effective and innovative approach to solving the problem. The Palmer Dam impounds 88 million gallons of water in a reservoir which serves as one of two supply sources for a population of more than 10,000. The most significant result of completing the rehabilitation of the Palmer Dam last May is enhanced public safety, according to Tighe & Bond officials. They noted that the integrity of the dam is no longer in question.

Staffing Firm Opens at Northgate

SPRINGFIELD — Monroe Staffing Services, a Connecticut-based employment agency, will open its first Massachusetts office at Northgate Professional Center, 1985 Main St., by March 1, according to Northgate owner Andrew M. Cohen. He noted that Monroe Staffing will occupy a 1,400-square-foot suite, comprising the one remaining vacancy in the three-story office building. Monroe, a 40-year-old firm with nine Connecticut locations, provides staffing services in the areas of finance and accounting, information technology, clerical and office, light industry, and environmental work.

Pocket Wireless Opens in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — Pocket Wireless recently celebrated its grand opening at 599 Page Blvd. Local dignitaries including Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and business representatives were on hand for the festivities, which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Pocket Wireless offers a flat monthly rate for its unlimited wireless service, according to company officials. Pocket Wireless officials note that an estimated 200 retail locations are expected to open by the end of the first quarter of 2009. The company’s regional headquarters is located in Bloomfield, Conn.

Security Provider Receives Top 125 Award

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Securitas Security Services USA Inc. has been recognized for its outstanding training and development solutions and received the coveted “Top 125” Award from Training magazine. Judging is based on several criteria, including corporate universities, evaluation procedures, and internal best practices. The company provides specialized industry training, flash-based E-learning courses, scholarship programs, tuition reimbursement, recognition programs, and courses available through the Securitas Online Academy. For more information, visit www.securitasinc.com.

Hampden Bank Opens Branch

LONGMEADOW — Hampden Bank opened its latest branch at 916 Shaker Road on Feb. 17. The festivities included a ribbon-cutting ceremony with bank officials and local dignitaries. Thomas R. Burton, president and chief executive officer, noted in remarks that the bank opened the Shaker Road office to serve the existing customers and new customers in Longmeadow and Connecticut. For more information on the bank’s services, visit www.hampdenbank.com.

Company Raises $3,000 for United Way

WEST HATFIELD — Danco Modern/Danish Inspirations raised more than $3,000 during its Give Local promotion during the holiday season to benefit the United Way of Hampshire County. The retailer’s customers received extra savings on furniture purchases when they made a donation to the United Way, according to Peter Knapp, owner. Knapp noted that many of the customers participating in the fund-raiser were first-time donors, and Florence Savings Bank matched those contributions as part of a community effort to help the United Way.

Chicopee Savings Opens Ware Branch

WARE — William J. Wagner, president and CEO of Chicopee Savings Bank, announced the opening of the bank’s seventh branch at Gibbs Crossing, 350 Palmer Road, on Feb. 17. A host of bank representatives as well as town officials attended the event. Chicopee Savings also has locations in Chicopee, South Hadley, Ludlow, and West Springfield.

Dress Barn Assists Dress for Success Program

WESTFIELD — During mid-February, Dress Barn stores across the country sponsored a Dress for Success S.O.S. — Send One Suit — promotion to collect clothing from customers and donate them to underprivileged women in the local community. All donated suits were given to women seeking career development support. During the past seven years, more than 200,000 suits and separates have been donated by consumers to Dress Barn stores, which in turn have supported 60 Dress for Success affiliates throughout the United States. For more information on the Dress for Success program, visit www.dressforsuccess.org.

Departments

The following is a compilation of recent lawsuits involving area businesses and organizations. These are strictly allegations that have yet to be proven in a court of law. Readers are advised to contact the parties listed, or the court, for more information concerning the individual claims.

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

Dennis Wilson v. C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc.
Allegation: Employee negligence causing injury: $6,821.15
Filed: 12/19/08

Pignatare & Sagan LLC v. Cardinal Complete Door Distributor, LLC
Allegation: Breach of contract and unpaid balance due: $4,305
Filed: 1/28/09

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Marker, LTD v. Trails Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $8,784.65
Filed: 2/05/09

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Louise Lucky v. New England Door Closure and TD Banknorth, N.A.
Allegation: Products liability and negligence causing personal injury: $19,797.31
Filed: 2/06/09

Martin Morales v. General Films Inc. and American Conveyor Corp.
Allegation: Products liability and negligence causing personal injury: $164,566.29+
Filed: 1/29/09

Town Fair Tire Centers Inc. v. Brake King Automotive Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $40,251.36
Filed: 2/05/09

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Diversified Financial Services v. Berkshire Blacktop
Allegation: Breach of contract and non-payment of promissory note: $25,824.48
Filed: 1/22/09

R & R Window Contractors Inc. v. Bacon Construction Company and Continental Casualty Co.
Allegation: Non-payment of labor and materials for aluminum window work on Bridgewater Raynham Regional High School: $173,419.61
Filed: 1/15/09

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

Janet & Richard Phaneuf v. Greg Toczko, Designer
Allegation: Breach of contract and negligence in home repairs: $34,000
Filed: 1/23/09

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

Capital One Bank v. Infostructure Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of credit card account: $7,346.04
Filed: 1/15/09

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

masslive.com v. Money-Wise Solutions, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of balance for services rendered: $5,750
Filed: 1/09/09

Stroheim & Romann Inc. v. Mary Donnellan Strout Interiors Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $2,404.28
Filed: 1/06/09

United Rentals Inc. v. Total Pro Boston Inc. and Dana McIntyre
Allegation: Non-payment of materials, equipment, and services on a construction project: $41,841.42
Filed: 1/08/09

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT

B & M Electric v. Angy’s Food Products Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of labor and materials: $7,457.00
Filed: 1/30/09

Departments

The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.

BELCHERTOWN

Click Technology Partners Inc., 261 Barrett St., Belchertown, MA 01007. Thomas F. Woelfel, same. Business and computer consulting.

Vanessa Lee Kotowski Scholarship Foundation, 20 Terry Lane, Belchertown, MA 01007. Frederick Kotowski, 18C Highland Village, Ware. MA 01082. Charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes.

CHICOPEE

BKZ Inc., 38 Nye St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Richard Reidy, 18 Maplecrest Dr., Belchertown, MA 01007. To provide glass replacement for all auto, residential, and commercial uses.

West Side Transportation Inc., 269 East Main St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Vitality Volkov, same. To engage in the operating specialty and dedicated services of transporting passengers via minivan, limousine, and other passenger vehicles on a for-hire basis.

HOLYOKE

Media Action Center Inc., 80 Race St., Holyoke MA 01040. Andrew Gregory Laties, same. Charitable and educational purposes to support human rights while fighting poverty and environmental destruction worldwide.

 

Salsarengue Inc., 192 High St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Jose O. Bou MR, 261 Florence Road, Florence, MA 01062. Sales of clothing and accessories.

SPRINGFIELD

BIO Cleaner Springfield Corp., 803 Main St., Springfield, MA 01105. Eun Kyung Han, same. Laundromat and cleaner.

Domingo Inc., 326 St. James Ave., Springfield, MA 01109. Reino Mueses MR, 53 Haskins St., Springfield, MA 01109. Restaurant and real estate business.

Richmond Acquisition Corp., 1500 Main St., Springfield, MA 01115. Daniel Yamin, 25 Westover Road, Troy, N.Y. 12180. Public communication service.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Palmetto Construction Management Services Inc., 1080 Riverdale St., West Springfield, MA 01089. J.W. Hall, same. Construction management.

Departments

Cutting the Ribbon

Chicopee Savings Bank recently cut the ribbon on its newest branch, in Ware. Handling the honors are, from left, Russell Omer, the bank’s executive vice president; Alzira Costa, senior vice president of Operations and Security; Susan Barbiasz, assistant branch manager; Cathy Cascio, member of the Ware Board of Selectmen; Clare Ladue, branch officer; William Wagner, president and CEO; and W. Guy Ormsby, executive vice president, CFO, and treasurer.


‘Green’ Lessons

Seventh-grade students at Clarke School for the Deaf read “Being Green and Smart” in the Feb. 2 edition of BusinessWest during a visit to the school by area professionals. Clarke students recently completed a six-week winter unit on environmental awareness and ways to ‘go green.’


Heart to Heart

Rick’s Place, a not-for-profit organization providing support to grieving children and their families, stage its first annual fund-raiser recently. The Heart to Heart event, held at the Kids Village in Wilbraham’s Post Office Park, drew more than 70 people and raised $15,000 for the agency. Seen here are, from left, Richard Hill, board secretary; Carole Mangels, program coordinator; Shelly Bathe Lenn, executive director; and William Scatolini, board president.


Branching Out — Again

Hampden Bank recently celebrated the opening of its ninth office, located on Shaker Road in Longmeadow. Doing the honors are, from left, Amy Scribner, senior marketing administrator; Don Dupre, Hampden Bank board member; Paul Santaniello, chair of the town’s Board of Selectmen; Thomas Burton, president and CEO of Hampden Bank; Deb Geisler, manager of the Shaker Road Office; Stuart Young Jr., chairman of the board; Carolyn Ware, manager of the Allen Street office; and Glenn Welch, executive vice president of Hampden Bank.