Home 2016 December (Page 4)

Month: December 2016

Paul DiGrigoli Inducted into Intercoiffure America/Canada

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Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Paul DiGrigoli, owner of DiGrigoli Salon and DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology, was inducted into the prestigious Intercoiffure America/Canada organization on Oct. 9.

Intercoiffure America/Canada, an international hairdressing organization, was founded in 1933 as the North American branch of Intercoiffure Mondial, originally founded in 1925 in Paris. The organization is widely known as the most powerful and influential in the hairdressing industry, DiGrigoli said, and only leading hair salons are eligible for membership — just 3,000 in over 50 countries.

“I am so honored to be a part of Intercoiffure. It’s the most respected organization in our industry,” DiGrigoli said of his newly appointed A-List membership. “I’m humbled to be among the best of the best, the highest quality of salons and salon owners in the world.”

The induction and pinning ceremony took place at the end of the Fall Atelier conference, an annual event held in New York City at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The DiGrigoli Salon artistic team, along with the other guests, enjoyed three days of education, hair demonstrations, product launches, galas, and more. On the final day, DiGrigoli was officially pinned as an A-List member by Frank Gambuzza, Intercoiffure president, and Candy Shaw, the new member representative for the organization.

Greater Holyoke Chamber Names 2016 Ambassador of the Year

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce gave its 2016 Chamber Ambassador of the Year Award to Katherine Buckley, personal customer service representative at Goss & McLain Insurance.

“It is our privilege to honor Katie Buckley for her volunteer efforts on behalf of the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce,” said Kathleen Anderson, chamber president. “We value her enthusiasm, energy, and the support she brings to the chamber ambassador committee. Katie goes over and above her role as an ambassador in welcoming people to our events and networking opportunities.”

Added Wanda Zabawa, business manager and chamber ambassador committee coordinator, “we’re grateful for the service and dedication that Katie has demonstrated on behalf of the chamber. Our ambassadors are crucial to the success of our mission to support our members and local businesses.”

The chamber’s primary role is to provide support and resources to its existing members in order for them to prosper and grow. The goal and messages of the chamber are carried to members through the ambassadors as they disseminate information to members and the community. Ambassadors help to familiarize current and prospective members about the chamber and its services and benefits, while helping businesses get the greatest return on their membership investment.

Buckley started with Goss & McLain in 2009 shortly after her graduation from Endicott College. She is a Leadership Holyoke graduate and became a chamber ambassador in 2012. She serves on the board of the Holyoke Merry Go Round and is a Holyoke Rotarian, as well as an active member of the Junior League of Greater Springfield.

Buckley received the award after accumulating the most credits through volunteerism and participation throughout the year. Buckley and her manager, Deborah Buckley, president of Goss & McLain Insurance, will be honored at the chamber’s Holiday Business Breakfast on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at the Log Cabin. Tickets cost $25. To register, visit holyokechamber.com.

Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin Names L. Alexandra Hogan Shareholder

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Local law firm Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. announced that L. Alexandra Hogan has been appointed as a shareholder of the firm. She received a unanimous vote of confidence from the firm’s shareholders, representing a strong approval of her professional achievements.

“Alex’s contributions to our firm have been vast,” said attorney Edward Sabella, “as have been her contributions to the legal community at large. Her work has been highly awarded, and her leadership is sought by professional trade associations. Now is the time to recognize her accomplishments here at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin. We are grateful to have Alex on our team and include her among the firm’s shareholders.”

Hogan joined Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin in March 2005 as a paralegal while attending law school. She continued working at the firm serving as a law clerk and was appointed as an associate in August 2008 after passing the bar examination. She practices in the Massachusetts and Connecticut bar.

“This is an important milestone of my career,” Hogan said. “I am genuinely thankful to everyone who has helped me get here. This is a time of self-reflection and also a platform for growth. As I take pause to celebrate this achievement, I am also looking forward to the future and continued success.”

Hogan concentrates her practice primarily in business, litigation, and bankruptcy law. She graduated from Western New England University School of Law in 2008, with cum laude honors, where she was also appointed an assistant editor and became a published author with the Western New England Law Review. She graduated from Bay Path University with summa cum laude honors in 1996. She has been selected by Super Lawyers to the Rising Stars list and as a Top Women Attorney. Additionally, she was recognized by Junior Achievement as a 2012 recipient of the Gold Peak Performance Award and included in the BusinessWest 40 Under Forty class of 2013. Recently, she was also selected by Mass Lawyers Weekly for an Excellence in the Law award in the Up & Coming Lawyers section.

Holyoke Mall Event for Children with Special Needs Slated for Dec. 4

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Mall is presenting Santa Cares on Sunday, Dec. 4, welcoming children with all spectrums of special needs to a photo environment supportive of their sensory, physical, and developmental needs. The sensory-friendly event will take place prior to public hours, from 9 to 11 a.m., in a comforting and physically accommodating setting designed to lessen behavioral triggers associated with this bustling time of year.

The nationally recognized Santa Cares event will take place at the Santa Photo Experience in Café Square, in partnership with Autism Speaks, AbilityPath.org, and the Noerr Programs, a leading digital event-imaging company providing the Santa Photo Experience at venues across the nation. This year, Hasbro Toys is providing Play-Doh for families to play with at activity tables before their visit with Santa.

“Many children with special needs have never had the opportunity to experience the joy and tradition of a magical visit with Santa. That’s why we are participating in Santa Cares, to create a compassionate, welcoming environment,” said Lisa Wray, marketing director at Holyoke Mall. “We will open prior to public hours and create a calmer atmosphere which includes muting the music. Families will enjoy fun activities while anticipating their private visit, instead of waiting in lines that make some children anxious.”

Added Judy Noerr, CEO of Noerr Programs, “Santa Cares fulfills our dream of providing a comforting and physically accommodating experience for families with children that have special needs. We appreciate the participation of Holyoke Mall in supporting this heartwarming program, allowing more families to share the magic and tradition of the holidays.”

This year, families that purchase a keepsake photo package during Santa Cares will also receive a bonus gift of four Christmas photo cards. Families are highly encouraged to RSVP in advance to reserve their time slot, at www.santacares.com.

Springfield College Students Participate in #Giving Tuesday

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield College Leadership Training Conference and Rachel’s Challenge student organizations led a community outreach program that collected food, clothing, and school supplies for local nonprofit organizations and schools to support the global initiative #GivingTuesday on Nov. 29.

Individuals were able to participate in #GivingTuesday by donating canned food that was distributed to the Open Pantry in Springfield; donating socks that were distributed to the Friends of the Homeless emergency shelter in Springfield; donating school supplies that were sent to White Street Elementary School in Springfield; writing on the pledge banner; donating a monetary gift that will support alternative spring-break trips for Springfield College students; or writing thank-you notes to students and Springfield College employees.

Drop-off locations for the canned food, socks, and school supplies were set up throughout the campus in the Wellness Center, Office of Admissions, Marsh Memorial, Alumni Hall, and the Administration Building. In addition, Rachel’s Challenge collected items including blankets, coats, gloves, hats, scarves, sweatshirts, mittens, socks, and earmuffs in designated ‘Warm a Heart’ containers, located in residence halls.

#GivingTuesday is a global movement that encourages individuals to give back to the local community and celebrate generosity.

Webber & Grinnell Employees Assist Area Homeless

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — For three weeks in November, employees of Webber & Grinnell Insurance Agency served meals to Friends of the Homeless clients and others in the community who would otherwise go hungry.

“During this time of thanks, we felt it important as a local business to give back to those less fortunate,” said Mat Geffin, vice president.

Friends of the Homeless served more than 156,000 meals last year, he noted, and people suffering from mental illness or substance-abuse problems are highly visible on area streets and in parks, and of this homeless population, about 20% of are referred to as being chronically homeless. A profound economic transformation that has eliminated manufacturing jobs, coupled with a decline in the availability of low-cost housing, has contributed to the problem.

CJC Development Advisors Opens Office in Westfield

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Daily News

WESTFIELD — CJC Development Advisors, LLC has opened an office at 38 Elm St. in Westfield to support its growing client base in Western Mass. Local businesses that are growing and real-estate developers that are investing in projects have called on CJC Development Advisors to assist with tax incentives, development and permitting issues, and development management.

CJC Development’s expertise is in land/real-estate development, construction project management, government relations, community relations, permitting, data, and financial analysis. Founder and Principal Jeffrey Daley has more than 15 years of experience in economic development, real-estate development, construction project management, government relations, and public-private partnership development. He has managed more than $500 million in private and public developments and program administration, and has managed projects ranging from $50,000 to $180 million.

Ronald McDonald House to Host Lights of Love Celebration Dec. 3

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Saturday, Dec. 3 marks the annual Lights of Love celebration at the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield. All are welcome to join the families, staff, and volunteers of the Ronald McDonald House in kicking off the holiday season.

The open house and celebration starts at 4:30 p.m. and will include tours of the house, cookies, hot cocoa, arts and crafts, caroling, and visitors from the North Pole. Lights of Love is the organization’s annual holiday fund-raiser and celebration, held on the first Saturday of December.

The Ronald McDonald House, located on 34 Chapin Terrace in Springfield near Baystate, serves as a home away from home for families around the corner and around the globe with children receiving care in local medical facilities like Shriner’s Hospitals for Children – Springfield and Baystate Medical Center.

Local Nonprofit Launches White House Initiative

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — On Nov. 30, the White House announced the Diversify Access to Capital Pledge, in which a group of angel investors, venture capitalists, and startup accelerators, including more than 30 organizations, pledge to increase access to seed and early-stage capital to entrepreneurs from diverse groups. Participating organizations represent more than 11,000 investors deploying more than $800 million in investment dollars across the country.

“Our goal is to catalyze early-seed investors to fund startups founded by entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups who historically have had less access to capital,” said Liz Roberts, CEO of Valley Venture Mentors (VVM), one of the pledge signers. “This is one of VVM’s core values and, frankly, common sense when it comes to finding the best investments, innovations, and startups.”

VVM, funded in part by the MassMutual Foundation, is honoring this commitment through training and mentoring diverse entrepreneurs. To date, VVM has graduated 174 startups via its Mentorship and Accelerator programs. In last year’s Accelerator cohort, approximately 50% of the startups were women-led, and 36% led by people of color.

Other local firms, such as the Springfield Venture Fund, also signed the pledge and are invested in making a difference. “We are thrilled to be a signer to the Diversify Access to Capital Pledge and garner national recognition for helping to grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Western Massachusetts,” said Jay Leonard, co-manager at the Springfield Venture Fund.

In October, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Department of Commerce Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship invited Roberts, as part of a select group of angel investors and those working to create more angel and seed capital, to a conversation at the White House. This group worked to identify best practices in stimulating broader access to risk capital for entrepreneurs, including for entrepreneurs from backgrounds historically and currently underrepresented in science and tech entrepreneurship. The pledge was an organic byproduct of that meeting.

Webber & Grinnell Appoints Director of Business Development

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Anne Stout has recently been appointed director, Business Development, for Webber & Grinnell Insurance. In this role, she will build market position by locating, developing, defining, and acquiring new clients.

Having previously worked at Toole Insurance and Pitney Bowes Inc., Stout has more than 20 years of success in marketing and consistently strives to maximize the reach, efficiency, and business impact of strategic relationships.

In keeping with the agency’s mission, she is committed to the community. She has held roles as vice president, Membership for Berkshire Business and Professional Women and served on the United Way resource development committee.

Holyoke Chamber Holiday Business Breakfast Features Pop-up Shop

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Holiday Business Breakfast of the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by Holyoke Gas & Electric and United Bank, will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7:15 a.m. at the Log Cabin.

Salutes will be given to Michael McManus of Holyoke as the new superintendent of the Department of Public Works; the 40th anniversary of Mountain View Landscapes; Clayton Insurance on its 50th anniversary, as well as to the chamber’s newest members, New Horizon, Mask Makers, and Ramos Electric. Also recognized will be the 2016 Chamber Ambassador of the Year, Katherine Buckley of Goss & McLain Insurance.

The Holiday Pop-up Shop is set to debut at the breakfast. Sign up for a vendor table at $25 each when making the breakfast reservation to take part in the chamber’s newest holiday tradition. It is an opportunity to showcase merchandise to other chamber members and guests during this busy shopping season. Vendors who sign up for and participate in the pop-up shop will be refunded $15 for their marketing table, making it a bargain at only $10.

The chamber’s ornament promotion will be in full swing and will feature Mountain Park, Soldiers’ Home of Holyoke, and St. Patrick’s Day Road Race ornaments at $20 each.

Reservations may be made online at holyokechamber.com. Tickets are $25 for members if purchased before Dec. 9 and $30 for all other tickets. Guests are encouraged to bring men’s, women’s, and children’s warm socks to be distributed to those in need by Providence Ministries.