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Ten Points About : Extension of the COBRA Subsidy for Involuntarily Terminated Employees

By KIMBERLY A. KLIMCZUK, Esq.

1. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) allows employees who lose their health insurance benefits to continue their coverage for up to 18 months under certain circumstances. Traditionally, employees who elected COBRA benefits were responsible for paying the cost of their COBRA health insurance premiums.

2.The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) amended portions of COBRA to provide a government subsidy for COBRA premiums to employees who left their jobs involuntarily between Sept. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2009.
3. Under the ARRA, the government subsidized 65% of the COBRA premiums for eligible employees for up to nine months. Employers were required to pay the subsidy up front as part of the employees’ premium payments and received reimbursement from the federal government through reduced federal payroll tax payments.
4. The subsidy applies to periods of health coverage beginning on or after Feb. 17, 2009, and, under the ARRA, was to last for up to 9 months.

5. On Dec. 19, 2009, President Obama signed the 2010 Defense Appropriations Act (DAA), which extends the eligibility period for the COBRA subsidy to include employees who involuntarily separate from employment on or before Feb. 28, 2010.

6. The DAA also lengthens the COBRA subsidy period from nine months to 15 months.
7. In addition, former employees who had already reached the end of their subsidy period prior to passage of the DAA may continue their reduced-premium COBRA coverage for the additional six months as long as they pay their 35% share of the COBRA premium by Feb. 17, 2010, or within 30 days of receiving notice from their plan administrator, whichever is later.
8. If any such employees already paid 100% of their premium in December 2009, they are entitled to either a reimbursement of the 65% that is subsidized under the DAA’s extension provisions or a credit toward future premiums equal to 65% of the monthly premium.
9. The DAA requires employers to modify their COBRA election notice to provide information about the extended COBRA subsidy to all individuals who experience a COBRA-qualifying event between Sept. 1, 2008 and Feb. 28, 2010.

10. Information on new notice requirements, updated guidance, fact sheets, and frequently asked questions will be available on the DOL’s Web site, www.dol.gov/cobra.

Kimberly A. Klimczuk, Esq. is a partner in the law firm Royal & Klimczuk, LLC. She specializes in management-side labor and employment law; (413) 586-2288; [email protected]

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

AGAWAM

Applied Chemistries Inc., 619 Silver St., Agawam, MA 01001. Brian C. St. Pierre, 90 Maple St., Southampton, MA 01073. Manufacture chemicals/technical consulting.

CHICOPEE

Argus Security Corporation, 63 Main St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Anthony R. Gomez, 44 Eldridge St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Security services.

HAMPDEN

CU Companion Inc., 2 Country Club Dr., Hampden, MA 01036. Glenn David Goodman, 195 Bliss Road, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Provider of services to credit unions.

LONGMEADOW

Springfield Lacrosse Club Inc., 870 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Keith Bugbee, 14 Moosehorn Road, West Granby, CT 01090. Lacrosse training, instruction, practice, and competition.

SOUTHWICK

Southwick Acres Inc., 91 Jered Lane, Southwick, MA 01077. Janice S. Lafrance, same. To own and operate a campground.

  

SPRINGFIELD

AJI Sales Corporation, 468 Walnut St., Springfield, MA 01105. Anthony J. Impoco, 41 Sheep Pasture Road, Southwick, MA 01077. Fresh poultry and egg sales.

Medical Knowledge Institute Inc., The, 136 William St., Springfield, MA 01105. Peter J. Bittel, same. Engage in any religious, charitable, scientific testing for public safety.

Solution Inc., 80 Worthington St., Springfield, MA 01103. Paul Ramesh, 172 Nottingham St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Cargo vessel.

Viviano Soccer Academy Inc., 121 Brandon Ave., Springfield, MA 01119. Ciro Viviano, same. Soccer league.

WILBRAHAM

Kinase Inc., 28 Stonyhill Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095.Kyung Won Kim, 215 Cislak Dr., Wilbraham, MA 01095. Real Estate.

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Departments

Dean McKenzie, M.D., MHSA, has joined Providence Behavioral Health Hospital in Holyoke as Chief Medical Officer. In this role, McKenzie acts as a liaison between administration and members of the medical staff to support patient care services, while focusing on quality of care, patient satisfaction, risk management, and patient safety. A graduate of Hope College and the University of Michigan Medical School, McKenzie served his residency in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Arizona. He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology. He most recently served as Utilization Management Medical Director for Magellan of Arizona, a state-contracted, regional behavioral-health authority that provides a wide range of services, including crisis assistance, children’s services, and substance-abuse treatment.

•••••

Jennifer L. Snyder, Esq. has opened the Hadley Law Center at 216 Russell St., Hadley. Areas of practice include elder law, special needs, estate planning, and family law.

•••••

Christina J. Quinby has been promoted to Community Development Planner at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission in Springfield. She joined the organization in 2008 as a Planning Assistant following an internship in the Community Development section. She holds a master’s degree in Social Work from Boston College.

•••••

Attorney L. Alexandra Hogan of Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. in Springfield recently lectured on “Massachusetts Data Security Law, Compliance, and Confusion” with Marco Liquori, President of Net Logix Inc., of Westfield, at the 48th annual Tax Institute seminar at Western New England College in Springfield. Their presentation focused on the new law and compliance requirements state businesses must have in place to protect their clients’ and customers’ personal information.

•••••

Susan Leschine, co-founder of Qteros, has been named one of the Top 25 Women in Tech by media trendsetter AlwaysOn. Those named to the first-annual list were chosen for overall innovation, ability to identify new market opportunities, and creation of stakeholder value, among other criteria. In her lab at UMass Amherst, Leschine continues to work diligently on the Q microbe for ethanol production.

•••••

Dr. Keisha A. Jones has joined Baystate Urogynecology where she will assist Dr. Oz Harmanli, Chief of the Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery division at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. Jones completed a fellowship in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at Magee-Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. She earned her medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, completed her internship and residency at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut, and earned a master’s degree in clinical research from the University of Pittsburgh. She will serve as Resident Rotation Coordinator in Urogynecology at Baystate.

•••••

Ben Scranton, Executive Vice President of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley, was recently honored by the National Assoc. of Realtors with its certified executive designation, which recognizes exceptional efforts made by association executives. Scranton is one of more than 360 executives who have achieved this mark of excellence.

•••••

Marysue Mooney has been promoted to Classified Advertising Manager at The Republican in Springfield.

•••••

Dr. Tashanna K.N. Myers has joined the Baystate Regional Cancer Program’s Gynecologic Oncology Division at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. Myers completed her fellowship in gynecologic oncology at the University of Oklahoma. She completed her doctor of medicine in obstetrics and her residency at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Yale University.

•••••

Paul Papaluca of the Sydney Hirsch Team at RE/MAX Prestige in East Longmeadow, has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales.

•••••

Vikki D. Lenhart has joined the Hart & Patterson financial planning team in Northampton. She holds Series 7 and Series 66 licenses and is licensed in life, accident, and health insurance.

•••••

Howard Stanton III recently joined Rockville Bank as Controller. He will be responsible for planning, organizing and directing the accounting and financial control activities of the bank, its holding company, and all subsidiaries.

•••••

Dr. Neal C. Hadro has joined the medical staff of the heart and vascular program at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. He comes to Baystate from the Cleveland Clinic and Marymount Hospital in Garfield Heights, Ohio, where he served as faculty and as a staff vascular and endovascular surgeon. He earned his medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston and completed his residency in general surgery, as well as a peripheral vascular surgery fellowship, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. Hadro also completed an endovascular fellowship at New York Presbyterian Hospital. He is board certified in surgery with added qualifications in vascular surgery.

•••••

Corey M. Dennis has joined the law firm Skoler, Abbott & Presser in Springfield as an Associate representing management in labor and employment-law litigation.  

The Best Local Business Stories of 2009

By
Opinion

Let’s face it, 2009 certainly wasn’t anything for the business community to write home about.

For many, this was a year to simply hang in and hang on, a time when “flat” translated into “pretty darned good.” For businesses large and small, this was a time best forgotten — and soon.

But there were some rays of sunlight that somehow managed to break through the clouds, some stories that offer hope of better times for those who live, work, and own businesses in the Pioneer Valley. Here are five, listed in reverse order of importance, in our view, of course.

5. A Focus on Literacy

OK, we can toot out own horn a little. Actually, it’s not our horn. Yes, BusinessWest created a new recognition program called Difference Makers, so-named to honor those who are making a difference in our community, and its first class was honored last spring. That was a good story; the better story came about a few months later when one of this year’s Difference Makers, Bill Ward, director of the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, and that group’s project manager, Maura Geary, approached us with the idea of putting all of our winners to work.

That suggestion led to an ambitious project called ‘Creating a Culture of Literacy One Book at a Time.’ This past summer, the five Difference Makers helped collect hundreds of books donated to Hasbro Summer Learning Program, and agreed that all future winners of this award would continue to focus time, energy, and imagination on a matter of vital importance to the health and well-being of this region.

4. Qteros Lands in Chicopee

A little over a year ago, the news was that this region was going to lose Qteros, a company trying to revolutionize ethanol production by using not corn, by common switch grass, to the eastern part of the state. However, through the efforts of the company’s principals and some economic-development leaders in this region, the company has made good a commitment to maintain a noticeable presence in this area.

It will do so in a research and production facility that will be located in a new office facility at Westover in Chicopee. Having Qteros in this region will provide some jobs and some additional vibrancy in the Westover area, but perhaps more importantly, it will provide inspiration to fledgling ‘green’ businesses, while sending a message that they can do business in this area code.

3. UMass Comes to Downtown Springfield

It was announced recently that UMass Amherst will be locating one of the university’s programs “an urban design center ” in one of the buildings in Springfield’s Court Square early next year. The move indicates a firm commitment on the part of the university to play a substantial role in economic-development efforts in the region’s largest city.

And the better news is that all those involved with this endeavor say it is merely the beginning of efforts designed to make UMass more of a force in the City of Homes.

2. More Signs of Progress Downtown

Springfield’s central business district still has a long way to go in terms of returning to the vibrancy evident decades ago. But there were a few big steps in the right direction taken in 2009. They include the arrival of the Springfield Armor basketball team, a Developmental League franchise that should bring more people downtown; the opening of a new restaurant, Hot Table, in Tower Square; and, especially, successful efforts to re-tenant the former federal building with Springfield School Department offices, some employees of Baystate Health, and other agencies.

Together, these developments represent real progress in the work to bring more downtown ‘ to live, work, and play.

1. The High-performance Computing Center

Six months ago, hardly anyone in this region knew what a high-performance computing center was. In truth, many still don’t know today, but the picture is starting to come into focus. A center, which brings unprecedented amounts of computing power together in one place, is going to be built in Holyoke, thanks to an impressive partnership effort involving UMass, MIT, Boston University, Cisco, and a host of other players. Holyoke was chosen because of the vast amounts of inexpensive, ‘green” energy produced by that city’s hydroelectric facilities.

The center will create only a few dozen jobs to start, but there is enormous potential for this facility to attract government agencies, businesses from several different sectors, and support services.

This was easily the biggest and best story in a year when there was little competition.

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Departments

A Primer on 201 CMR 17

Peritus Security Partners staged an informational seminar on the state’s new personal-information-security law on Dec. 2 at Spoleto restaurant in Northampton. Several business owners and managers were given a detailed briefing on the specifics of the measure and the steps for being in compliance. From left are Charlie Christianson, president of Peritus; Trish Tessier, office manager for the company; Bob Mathiason, vice president of Sales for Peritus; Kurt Baumgarten, vice president of Information Security for Peritus; and Kim Klimczuk, Esq., a partner with the Northampton-based firm Royal & Klimczuk, who provided a legal overview of the measure.

A Cut Above

Since 2007, cosmetology students (under the supervision of licensed instructors) have provided more than 500 free haircuts to veterans at DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology in West Springfield. The school originally offered these free services exclusively on Veterans’ Day, but because of an overwhelming response, they increased the frequency to every eight weeks. Six times per year, veterans visit the school by the busload and enjoy a morning or afternoon of pampering and conversation with the cheerful students. This contribution was recently recognized by the West Springfield Department of Veterans’ Services and Veterans’ Council. On Nov. 14, the West Springfield Veterans’ Council staged its 8th Annual Veterans’ Memorial Breakfast at St. Thomas School. Here, Paul J. DiGrigoli (left), owner and president of DiGrigoli Salon and DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology, receives the 2009 “Business of the Year” award from WSVC Treasurer Dorothy Richard. Looking on is master of ceremonies and WSVC President Dr. Frederick Conlin Jr. (U.S. Marines – Korea).

Comcast Digital Connectors

On Nov. 30, Comcast and One Economy were joined by elected officials and community leaders at the Urban League of Springfield to kick off a major digital learning and service initiative. The Comcast Digital Connectors program teaches teens and young adults from diverse, low-income backgrounds how to use broadband technologies and how to put that knowledge to work to increase digital literacy in the greater community. David Cohen, executive vice president of Comcast, was on hand to help celebrate the launch, and various elected officials, including U.S. Congressman Richard Neal, State Rep. Benjamin Swan, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and others, also attended and showed their support. In the Comcast Digital Connectors program, teams of high-school students, who attend New Leadership Charter School in Springfield, will gather at the Urban League three times a week after school throughout the year to learn digital literacy skills. The young people will then volunteer their time at community-based organizations, senior centers, churches, and even their own homes to help improve digital literacy. Additionally, they will be mentored by local Comcast employees, who will help develop leadership skills among the young people and lend expertise. From left are state Rep. Michael Kane; Swan; Kateri Walsh, Springfield city councilor; Sarno; Doug Guthrie, senior vice president of Comcast’s Western New England Region; Leon Crosby, Urban League of Springfield Digital Connectors Program director; Cohen; Neal; Henry Thomas, president and CEO of the Urban League of Springfield; Rey Ramsey, CEO of One Economy; and Karla Ballard, National Director of Digital Connectors.

Celebrating 40 Years on the Air

WTCC, the college radio station at Springfield Technical Community College, celebrated 40 years of broadcasting at an anniversary showcase at the college on Dec. 12. A number of area bands performed for the large crowd gathered in the school’s auditorium, including Jus’ Us, seen here. The event was broadcast live on 90.7 FM.

After 5

The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield collaborated with the Lexington Group in West Springfield and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield for a special holiday bash on Dec. 9. The event was a double celebration — the Lexington Group’s 20th anniversary, and the chamber’s annual holiday After 5 gathering, staged the past two years in conjunction with YPS. More than 150 area business people were in attendance for the event, which featured a raffle, entertainment, lots of networking, and a chance to see some of the Lexington Group’s offerings in office furniture. Above left, James O’S. Morton of the YMCA of Greater Springfield and Carol Moore Cutting of WEIB 106.3 Smooth FM shared laughs and holiday cheer. Above right (from left), Kelly Zelta of Aflac, Jackie Fallon of FIT Solutions, and Drew Ritter of Mass. Rehab Commission gather for a picture. 

OPINION

By
Opinion
Decision Looms for ‘Death Tax’

I know you’re eager to return to those thrilling days of yesteryear — the Bush presidency — and there’s a pressing matter from that era on the national agenda: what to do about the estate tax. We have until New Year’s Day to settle this question, a small window on our values as a country. The background: on the charge that the ‘death tax’ was a punishing money grab from small businessmen and women — coming while they grieved a lost loved one, no less — opponents in 2001 succeeded in increasing the exemption; the tax currently kicks in on inheritances above $3.5 million rather than the old tax’s $1 million. The maximum tax rate, then 55%, was dropped to 45%.

When the Times Square ball rings in 2010, the tax will vanish altogether. Your ticket to the great beyond is tax-free next year. But not if you survive into 2011: because of deficit concerns, opponents had to agree that the tax would return that year, with a rate and exemption at their 2001 levels. This fiscal sleight-of-hand, disdained by all sides, has produced a yuletide debate. Should we repeal next year’s repeal to contain federal red ink, and if so, what should the rate and exemption be? Or do we just kill the tax permanently, as opponents have always urged? President Obama proposes threading the needle by keeping the tax next year but making permanent its current lowered rate and higher exemption. Boston College law professor Ray D. Madoff counters that that would cost the Treasury more in the coming decade than doing nothing. She proposes shielding family businesses under $10 million from the tax but preserving it at some level otherwise.

Both points are spot-on. The case against the death tax (opponents’ term) has always been daffy. Aug. 24, 2000 has passed into political lore as the day that Montana rancher Lynn Cornwell hopped atop a tractor to deliver a repeal plea to President Clinton at the White House. That same day, then-Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert declared that the tax “is so steep that sometimes the deceased owner’s children must break up a farm or sell a business just to cover the tax.’’ But the tractor drive was a stunt. Far from being a victim of the tax man’s greed, Cornwell has benefited from taxpayer largesse. In the years after his ride, he pocketed $400,000 in federal farm subsidies and fed his herd on federal land at below-market rates, according to William H. Gates Sr. and Chuck Collins, two well-off men who wrote a book supporting retention of the tax.

And Hastert’s point? You could fertilize Montana with what the speaker was shoveling. In 2001, the New York Times asked the American Farm Bureau Federation, a repeal advocate, for examples of families that had to give up their farms because they couldn’t afford the estate tax. The federation found exactly zero victims. Five years later, the Times reported that just 50,000 families will be subject to the tax in 2011. They’re in a tax bracket that means they’ll be able to pay the IRS without having to miss the mortgage payment, turn off the electricity, or eat cat food.

Won’t killing the tax help during a recession? Tax cuts for average people who need to spend their money on necessities would indeed be smart in a downturn. But with the estate tax, we’re talking about the wealthiest Americans, people more likely to save their windfall, not spend it. As for arguments that the tax smothers job growth, President Clinton left the tax alone during the 1990s. Job growth sure was slumming it then, wasn’t it? Keeping taxes low and simple is sound policy. It is perfectly compatible with an estate tax.

Many of the same politicians who oppose the tax bray out of the other side of their mouths about swelling deficits. Meanwhile, a writer for the Weekly Standard made the conservative case for the tax: success in America should come from hard work and talent, not from being one of the “undeserving winners of the sperm lottery.’’

Rich Barlow is a freelance writer in Cambridge.

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Departments

Ten Points About : Roth IRA Conversions

By LORRAINE A. HART and CHERYL A. PATTERSON

1. 2010 represents an opportunity for all taxpayers, regardless of income, to convert traditional IRAs (including SEPs and IRA Rollovers) to Roth IRAs.

2. Prior to 2010, you were disqualified from this conversion option if you had a modified adjusted gross income over $100,000.
3. The main benefit of Roth IRAs is that all account growth and eligible distributions are income tax-free.
4. Unlike traditional IRAs, the original owner is not required to take distributions after age 70.

5. Roth conversions have income-tax implications in that all pre-tax contributions and earnings are taxed as ordinary income in the conversion year.

6. Income-tax rates are at historic lows. Paying income tax on a Roth conversion at current rates will insulate that amount, and any further growth it accumulates, from future tax-rate increases.
7. Being taxed at ordinary income rates is the trade-off for future tax-free accumulation and tax-free income.
8. If you elect to convert, you have the option of paying the federal income tax due in 2010, or paying in equal installments over the following two years (2011 and 2012).
9. Should you decide the conversion was not a good idea for any reason, you have the option to recharacterize back to an IRA before your tax-filing deadline, including any extensions.

10. Roth IRA conversions aren’t advantageous to everyone. It is important to consider all potential consequences.

Lorraine Hart and Cheryl Patterson are principals of Hart & Patterson Financial Services, LLP, an independent financial-planning firm with offices in Amherst and Northampton. Both are certified financial planners with more than 25 years of financial-planning experience.

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Departments

YPS New Year’s Eve Celebration

Dec. 31: The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield has once again chosen downtown Springfield for its New Year’s Eve celebration. Only 300 tickets will be available for the affair at the Marriott Hotel in Tower Square. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsorship of the event should visit www.springfieldyps.com for more details. For ticket information, call Jill Monson of YPS at (413) 219-9692.

Hot Topics in Philanthropy Breakfast

Jan. 8: “Communicating in a Digital Age” is the focus of the next Hot Topics in Philanthrophy Breakfast at Bay Path College in Longmeadow. Nonprofit professionals are invited to the free event; however, registration is required. Keynote speaker Brian Reich, author of Media Rules! Mastering Today’s Technology to Connect with and Keep Your Audience, will provide a framework for understanding our technology-driven environment and how best to harness the appropriate digital tools to communicate an organization’s mission, vision, and purpose. In addition, panelists Suzi Craig, director of marketing at Fathom, and Megan Pete, director of development of the Food Bank of Western Mass., will share their organizational challenges and successes related to this topic. The 7:30 to 10 a.m. event is planned in the Blake Student Commons. To register, visit www.baypath.edu or call (800) 782-7284, ext. 1056.

Legislative and Economic Forum

Jan. 8: The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce will present a Legislative and Economic Forum with AIM (Associated Industries of Massachusetts), from 9 to 11 a.m., at Mestek Inc., 260 North Elm St., Westfield. The guest speakers will be Rick Lord, president and CEO of AIM; and Brian Gilmore, AIM’s executive vice president for public affairs. This will be an informal briefing on several political and economic issues important to the Commonwealth’s employer community. AIM stands for an economic policy that balances key public investments with a competitive cost structure that keeps jobs in the Bay State. For reservations or more information, call Marcia Kielb at (413) 568-1618 or e-mail [email protected].

Women’s Partnership Tabletop Business Expo

Jan. 20: The Women’s Partnership will host its 12th annual Tabletop Business Expo from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Springfield Sheraton. Plans include interactive exhibits. Businesses interested in exhibiting should e-mail Mary Petrone at the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield Inc. at [email protected]. Booth reservations include one lunch ticket at $75; lunch and event tickets are $25. The Women’s Partnership provides career-oriented professionals with leadership and growth opportunities.

Rick’s Place Benefit

Feb. 6: Wilbraham Country Club will be the setting for the second annual Heart to Heart fundraiser to benefit Rick’s Place Inc. Established in memory of Rick Thorpe, who died in Tower Two of the World Trade Center on 9/11, Rick’s Place Inc. was created to provide a supportive, secure environment where families can remember their loved ones and avoid the sense of isolation that a loss can produce. Rick’s Place offers bi-weekly bereavement support for families with children ages five to 18 at no cost. Tickets for the 6 to 11 p.m. fundraiser are $50. A silent auction and raffle drawing are among the highlights of the evening. Underwriting and corporate sponsorship opportunities are also still available. For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation to Rick’s Place, call Shelly Bathe Lenn, executive director, at (413) 348-3120, or visit www.ricksplacema.org.

Difference Makers Celebration

March 25: BusinessWest magazine will stage its second-annual Difference Makers Gala at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House, starting at 5 p.m. Difference Makers is a new program created to recognize individuals and groups that, through their efforts to give back the community, are making a difference in the Pioneer Valley. The first year of the program was a huge success, and organizers are expecting another sellout crowd to honor the Class of 2010. Additional details on the gala will be provided in upcoming editions of BusinessWest. For more information, call (413) 781-8600.

Women’s Professional Development Conference

April 30, 2010: Bay Path College will host its 15th annual Women’s Professional Development Conference at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call (413) 565-1000 or visit www.baypath.edu.

By
Departments

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

Acevedo, Steven
81-83 _Melha Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Adamczyk, Diane
30 Butler Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/09

Algie, Elizabeth
34 Hazen St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Alley, Douglas W.
50 Chestnut St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/10/09

Arrastia, Erika H.
50 Biddle St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/09

Authier, Ronny W.
Authier, Karen J.
42 Bray Park Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/11/09

Badillo, Robert
Hague-Badillo, Megan K.
169 Conway St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/12/09

Bahamundi, Israel
289 Fernbank Road, Apt. 2
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/09

Barnes, Amy B.
6 Main Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/03/09

Barnes, Timothy P.
6 Main Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/03/09

Barrett, Mary C.
100 Circle Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/09

Beals, Elliott
140 Joy St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/13/09

Bontempo, Elizabeth J.
1139 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/09

Borges, Ruth J.
105 Riviera Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Bronner, Jillene M.
39 Vicardav Ave.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/13/09

Bryant, Michelle D.
558 Cooper St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/09

Camilleri, Richard P.
14 Upland Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/03/09

Cantoni, John M.
150 Church St., Apt. 2
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/09

Carson Ovitt Carpentry
Ovitt, Rene Carson
7 East Oxbow Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/09

Carter, Donald L.
Carter, Mary L.
112 Drury Ave.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/09

Casineau, Arthur Roy
4 John Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/06/09

Chamberlain, David R.
39 Catalpea Ter.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/13/09

Cheney, Pearl S.
735 Memorial Dr., Lot 2
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/11/09

Chouinard, Benjamin J.
415 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/05/09

Chrystal, Donna M.
a/k/a Tatro, Donna M.
27 Chestnut St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/02/09

Cockcoros, Maria P.
559 Main St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/09

Collins, Alexis
79 Tokeneke Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Condon, Judy L.
1321 Brimfield Road
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/09

Coulombe, Aimee B.
24 Nashawannuck St., 1
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/09

Czubryt, Keith Allen
32f First St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/05/09

Davila, Joel E.
73 Meadow St., 2nd Fl.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/09

Davis, Donald V.
110 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/09

Dawson, Douglas E.
50 Squirrel Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/09

Deedy, Carol E.
P.O. Box 1048
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/11/09

Dion, Kevin Scott
83 Gardner Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Duffy, Kathleen Frances
24B Sunflower Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Dupont, David F.
5 Anderson St.
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/09

Figueora, Pauline
a/k/a Fuentes, Paulina
21 Clayton St. Apt. 2
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/09

Fuhrmann, Jeffrey Todd
162 Woodlawn Ave
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/09

Gedmin, Frank S.
45 Larchly Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/13/09

Gibson, Paulette D.
136 Malibu Dr.
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Gondek, John A.
1366 Park St., Apt. 2
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/03/09

Green Thumb Garden Florist
Hill, Robin L.
Hill, John S.
37 Boulay Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/03/09

Groleau, Chad A.
90 Bemis Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/09

Hastings, Francis Adam
Hastings, Laura Lee
1790 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Hebert, Lynn Marie
143 Cheney St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/09

Henrich, Floyd F.
P O Box 464
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/05/09

Hernandez, Ileana I.
65 Beverly Lane
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/09

Hickling, Linda A.
a/k/a Rosazza, Linda Anne
321 Wolf Swamp Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/09

Holland, Jon D.
Bouchie, Lisa M.
117 West Orange Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/09

Hussain, Samina E.
30 Wyndward Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/09

Hutchinson, Gail M.
229 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/06/09

Jennison, Deborah L.
38 Skyridge St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/06/09

Jones, Amie Marie
156 Woodbridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/09

Joubert, James Y.
Joubert, Kathleen M.
15 Gargon Ter.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/09

Knowles, Keith W.
Knowles, Elaine P.
a/k/a Sawin, Elaine P.
240 Pleasant St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/09

Kouzmouk, Roman V.
114 South Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/09

Kreinest, John T.
689 Laurel St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/09

  

Laboy, Nilsa E.
179 Arnold Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/09

Langlois, Margarita
2 Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/09

Lawlor, William E.
112 Ryan Road
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/09

Lebron, Margarita
253 Kent Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/09

Liquori, Lisa A.
84 Highland St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/12/09

Lombardi, James M.
Lombardi, Dianna M.
P.O. Box 291
Otis, MA 01253
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/09

Longo, Bobbie C.
1440 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/13/09

MacBeth Enterprises
Demoe, Scott B.
P.O.Box 2528
Westfield, MA 01086
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/09

Mancini, Andrea Y.
110 Lancaster Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/11/09

Matthews, Michelle A.
131 Ashley Ave., Apt. A4
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/09

McMillan, Misty V.
a/k/a Eastman, Misty V.
a/k/a Eastman-Saalfrank, Misty V.
61 Overlook Dr.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/11/09

Mills, Pamela J.
Leist, Pamela J.
34 Elm St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Mills, Richard
145 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/09

Monterosso, David M.
83 Williamsburg Ter.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/15/09

Murray, Kim T.
92 Pine Grove Dr.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/09

Nieves, Harry
126 Wheeler Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/09

Noel, Sylvain
Noel, Melissa
105 Laurel St.
Apartment 12B
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/09

Ouimette, Kate J.
70 East St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/09

Pettit, David A.
Pettit, Brenda L.
51 Draper Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/09

Plasse, Paul G.
Plasse, Angela H.
25 Smith St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/09

Poirier, Walter J.
87 Bellevue Dr.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/06/09

Pollack, David A.
Pollack, Joyce A.
60 Old Poor Farm Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/09

Rauh, Albert E.
132 Magazine St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/09

Rivera, Angel
4 Locust St., Apt. 1R
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/09

Rivera, Angel L.
PO Box 5090
Holyoke, MA 01041
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/09

Rivera, Orlando
370 Tiffany St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/09

Rivera, Sylvia E.
116 Stockman St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/09

Rivers, Sterling F.
45 Artisan St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/09

Robinson, William H.
Robinson, Ellen A.
502 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/11/09

Rosa, Milagros
837 State St., Apt. 505
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/09

Royland, Randy C.
Royland, Tiffany L.
a/k/a Bentancourt, Tiffany L.
a/k/a Neron, Tiffany L.
919 Southampton Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/13/09

Ruiz, Jose
837 State St., Apt. 440
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/09

Scott, William L.
470 Memorial Dr., Apt 205
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/09

Scribner, Linda K.
129 Old Stage Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/13/09

Seddon, Faith Ellen
272 Michael Sears Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/09

Sherman, Diane S.
27 Montgomery Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/09

Smith, Floyd James
Smith, Donna Mae
176 Brighton Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/09

Staelens, Jacqueline T.
12 Main Poland Road
Conway, MA 01341
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Stroganow, Peter
259 Route 20
Chester, MA 01011
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Sunkist Tanning
Lavallee Custom Design
Lavallee, Stephen C.
Lavallee, Tina M.
PO Box 217
South Barre, MA 01074
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Suriner, Peter M.
14 South Willow St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/09

Taylor, Calvin L.
Taylor, Ann M.
32 Lewis St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/09

Taylor, Charles F.
379 East St. #1
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/11/09

TB’s Custom Woodworking Inc.
Brogle, Thomas Alan
233 South Shirkshire Road
Conway, MA 01341
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/09

The Wandering Wolf Gift Shop
Lennox, Richard H.
Lennox, Marie L.
a/k/a Gilbert, Marie
51 Bald Mountain Rd
Bernardston, MA 01337
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Thivierge, Cheryl Lynn
228 Old County Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/06/09

Thompson, James R.
41 Elf Hilll Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/06/09

Walhovd, Laurie A.
19 Crescent Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Walsh, Marion Doane
137 South Main St.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/09

Wark, Lourie J.
7 Nina Pierce Circle, Apt. 3
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/11/09

Williams, Brian E.
Williams, Wendy D.
59 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/13/09

Wrisley, Shawn S.
Wrisley, Alicia
a/k/a Henriquez Arenas, Alicia Beronica
61 Garfield St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/03/09

Wynne, Christopher H.
40 Celestine St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/13/09

Zanoli, Raymond G.
Zanoli, Donna M.
36 Czepiel St
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/09/09

By
Departments

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

AGAWAM

John Kudlic
493B Springfield St.
$16,500 — New roof

AMHERST

Hampshire College
Bay Road
$12,000 — New roof

CHICOPEE

Chicopee Engineering Associates
1247 East Main St.
$27,000 — Construct a 15-by-34-foot covered drive-thru area

EASTHAMPTON

City of Easthampton
413 Main St.
$20,000 — Renovate existing space

Easthampton Congregational Church
116 Main St.
$12,000 — Construct three meeting rooms

Fedor Realty Trust
36-40 Union St.
$2,000 — Create separation between food prep and food service area

Joseph Shu
334 Main St.
$1,500 — Repair stairs

Michael Schrauben
86-90 Cottage St.
$30,000 — New roof

Sansom, Sands, & Chandler, LLC
238 Northampton St.
$75,000 — Fitout 1,000 square feet for nephrology suite

GREENFIELD

Rosenberg Property, LLC
311 Wells St.
$9,600 — Replacement of branch line in sprinkler system

Town of Greenfield
321 High St.
$126,000 — New roof

HADLEY

Amherst Developmental Partners
360 Westgate Center Dr.
$98,750 — New roof

Manny’s
7 South Maple St.
$1,500 — Interior renovations

W.S. Development Associates, LLC
337-357 Russell St.
$75,000 — New racking at Bed Bath & Beyond

HOLYOKE

Albert Lafleur
399-403 Hillside Ave.
$15,000 — New windows, siding, and sidewalk

Mark Cudding
28 Appleton St.
$178,000 — Re-roof C&D electronics lab

LUDLOW

Anthony Mateus
5 Pell St.
$10,000 — Alterations

  

Ludlow Boys & Girls Club
91 Claudia Way
$6,000 — Installation of a shade structure

NORTHAMPTON

Biapita
15 Cherry St.
$11,400 — Interior renovations

David W. Biddle
184 Main St.
$27,000 — Renovate space for restaurant use

J-Barc Inc.
25 Pleasant St.
$76,000 — Interior renovations at the Pleasant St. Theatre

J-Barc Inc.
25 Pleasant St.
$189,000 — New fire escape addition and exterior renovations

James Jipe
70 Maple St.
$35,000 ­— Construct knee walls and new floor

Meadow Preservation Associates, LTD
491 Bridge St.
$1,262,000 — Demolish and replace building #21 foundation only

Smith College
100 Elm St.
240,000 — Install roof mounted photovoltaic solar panel system at the campus center

SOUTH HADLEY

Fire District #1
144 Newton St.
$24,000 — New roof

SOUTHWICK

New England Retail
215 College Highway
$1,031,000 — Construction of a new CVS store

SPRINGFIELD

155 Maple Trust Associates
155 Maple St.
$73,000 — New roof

Baystate Health Inc.
759 Chestnut St.
$45,000 — New roof

J & C Alliance LLC
1192 State St.
$12,000 — Alter space for tattoo parlor

Michael Marshall
17A Rutland St.
$14,000 — Change of use from office to take-out restaurant

Three Pointer LLC
836 Bay St.
$29,000 — New roof

WESTFIELD

Home Depot
50 Campanelli Dr.
$16,329,000 — Construction of a new distribution center

Westfield Shops
East Main St.
$20,000 — Repairs for car accident at BonTon

By
Departments

Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
www.myonlinechamber.com  
(413) 787-1555

Jan. 6: ACCGS Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., hosted by Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, West Springfield. Speaker: John Pantera, Elements Therapeutic Massage. Cost: members $20; non-members $30.

Jan. 7: West of the River Wine Tasting, 5 to 7:30 p.m., Studio Sergei, West Springfield. Cost: general admission $20, members $10.

Jan. 15: ERC 5 Business Information Forum, 7:45 to 9 a.m., hosted by Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Greenhalgh Gymnasium Board Room, Wilbraham. No admission cost.

Jan. 20: Women’s Partnership Business Expo, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sheraton Springfield. Cost: $75 for table/lunch.

Jan. 27: Executive Power Networking, 7 to 9 a.m., TD Bank Conference Center, Springfield. Cost: members $20; non-members $25.

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com

Jan. 21: Third Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m., hosted by Smith’s Billiards, 207 Worthington St., Springfield. Cost: free for members; non-members $5, includes food and cash bar.

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com

Jan. 13: Breakfast and Chamber Annual Meeting, 7:15 to 9 a.m., hosted by Courtyard by Marriott.
Jan. 27: After 5, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101

Jan. 20: Salute Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., hosted by Days Inn, 450 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Cost: members $18; non-members $25. Sign up online at www.chicopeechamber.org.

Jan. 27: Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by Cafeno Cyber Cafe, 76 Main St., Chicopee. Cost: registered members $5 ($7 at the door); non-members $15.

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463

Please visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

Please visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376

Jan. 26: Economical Development Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., hosted by Yankee Pedlar, Holyoke. More details will be forthcoming.

Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900

Please visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
www.qvcc.biz
(413) 283-2418

Please visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
www.shchamber.com
(413) 532-6451

Please visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
www.threeriverschamber.org
(413) 283-6425

Please visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618

Jan. 8: Legislative and Economic Forum with AIM (Associated Industries of Massachusetts), 9 to 11 a.m., hosted by Mestek Inc., 260 North Elm St., Westfield. Guest speakers: Rick Lord, president and CEO of AIM; and Brian Gilmore, AIM’s executive vice president for public affairs. An informal briefing on several political and economic issues important to the Commonwealth’s employer community. AIM stands for an economic policy that balances key public investments with a competitive cost structure that keeps jobs in Massachusetts. For reservations, contact Marcia Kielb at (413) 568-1618 or [email protected].

Jan. 13: WestNet After 5 Event, hosted by Springfield Teachers Credit Union, 453 East Main St., Westfield. Food and beverages provided by Tucker’s Restaurant, Southwick; BusinessWest; and Silver Member Easthampton Savings Bank. Cost: members $10; non-members $15. For reservations, contact Marcia Kielb at (413) 568-1618 or [email protected].

By
Departments

BMC Touted by Leapfrog Group

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Medical Center is one of the top 45 hospitals in the U.S. for quality and efficiency, according to the Leapfrog Group’s 2009 survey of 1,206 hospitals across the country. Baystate is one of 34 urban hospitals to achieve this recognition, along with eight children’s hospitals and three rural hospitals, according to Dr. Evan Benjamin, vice president of Healthcare Quality for Baystate Health. Benjamin noted that the Leapfrog recognition is an affirmation of the hospital’s efforts to bring results to the best-practice level. Top hospitals in urban settings fulfilled criteria including meeting stringent performance standards for complex, high-risk procedures; meeting standards for staffing the ICU, shown to reduce mortality by 40% or more; meeting Leapfrog standards for implementing computer physician order-entry systems; and passing Leapfrog’s test of their system. The Leapfrog Hospital Recognition Program incorporates quality outcomes, length of stay, readmission rates, and incidence of hospital-acquired conditions and infections. The efficiency standard applies to heart-bypass surgery, heart angioplasty, heart attack, and pneumonia patients. The Leapfrog Group is a voluntary program aimed at mobilizing employer purchasing power to alert America’s health industry that big leaps in health care safety, quality, and customer value will be recognized and rewarded. In other news, Baystate Medical Center was recently honored in the Thomson Reuters Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospitals rankings.

MassMutual Attracts, Retains Call Center Employees

SPRINGFIELD — The MassMutual Retirement Services Division’s Call Center recently earned the ‘Gold Award’ for the Best Recruitment Campaign in the World by the North American arm of ContactCenterWorld.com. MassMutual’s call-center employee-recruiting campaign was selected from a global field of organizations from the Americas, Asia/Africa/Australia, and Europe. MassMutual’s program was distinguished for its partnership with local colleges near its headquarters in Springfield and its second site in Memphis, Tenn. MassMutual’s overall recruiting campaign also provides scholarship opportunities to local students and has co-developed a special college curriculum to help prepare students for new positions in all MassMutual call centers. The specially designed curriculum includes training on the topics of customer service and financial services as well as FINRA Series 6 test preparation. MassMutual’s call centers are staffed with professionals who are trained to assist individuals in managing a vast array of retirement planning and saving needs, from questions about investment options to taking full advantage of matching contributions. Call center associates also offer roll-in service so customers can consolidate savings from other qualifying retirement accounts to achieve a more holistic picture of their overall retirement savings.

DiGrigoli School Honored by Vets Council

WEST SPRINGFIELD — DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology was recently awarded the 2009 Business of the Year award by the West Springfield Veterans’ Council for its ongoing free hair services to area veterans. Since 2007, cosmetology students, under the supervision of licensed instructors, have provided more than 500 free haircuts to veterans at DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology on Riverdale Street. The school originally offered the free services on Veterans’ Day, but, because of an overwhelming response, increased the frequency to every eight weeks, according to Paul J. DiGrigoli, owner and president of DiGrigoli Salon and DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology. Six times per year, veterans visit the school by the busload and enjoy a morning or afternoon of pampering and conversation with students, added DiGrigoli. The DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology, offering hair, nail, and skin services to the public Tuesday through Saturday, is nationally accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences.

Baystate Rug and Flooring Recognized

CHICOPEE — Mohawk Floorscapes has named Baystate Rug and Flooring its Northeast Flooring Store of the Year. Mohawk awarded the local firm with the prestigious honor based on criteria including sales, growth, marketing techniques, and best practices. Baystate Rug and Flooring, a family-owned company, conducts both retail and commercial operations in the Western New England region.

Springfield Armor Launches Coaches Show, Partners With YMCA

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Armor recently launched a weekly coaches show with partner CBS 3 Springfield, called The Dee League, featuring head coach Dee Brown and NESN host John Chandler. Chandler is also the play-by-play announcer for all Armor home games, which are broadcast on ESPN Radio 1450 AM WHLL. The Dee League airs Sundays through April 4 at 11 a.m. Each week’s show includes highlights of the previous week’s games, as well as conversation about the upcoming games. Throughout the show, fans will meet members of the team and get to know the coaching staff. The Springfield Armor has a 50-game schedule through April 2, including 24 home dates at the MassMutual Center. In other Armor news, the organization teamed up with the YMCA of Greater Springfield and Playing It Forward on Dec. 10 to collect new and used sports equipment for disadvantaged children in Greater Springfield. The primary benefactor of all of the equipment donated that evening was the YMCA’s Youth & Teen Drop-In Centers, used by nearly 600 youth.

Windsor Federal Savings Named Box-office Sponsor

WINDSOR, CT — The SS&C SummerWind Performing Arts Center (SSCSPAC) has selected Windsor Federal Savings as the 2010 season box-office sponsor. The SSCSPAC is a 10-acre campus featuring a signature tent covering the stage and 1,500 luxury seats. A sloping lawn seats an additional 2,500 to 3,500 guests. SSCSPAC Board President Peter R. DeMallie thanked the staff of Windsor Federal Savings for their “outstanding commitment” to the rebirth of this cultural institution. DeMallie added that the nonprofit is embarking on a $1.3 million capital campaign in advance of its 2010 summer season, and recently received a $500,000 leadership grant from William and Mary Stone. William Stone is the CEO of SS&C Technologies.

Quality Printing Co. Wins Awards

PITTSFIELD — The Printing Industries of New England (PINE) recently announced that Quality Printing Co. won a Pinnacle Award for its 25th annual full-color calendar, “A Closer Look at the Berkshires.” The firm also won an Award of Recognition for a full-color brochure it printed for Bard College of New York. PINE’s annual Awards of Excellence competition attracted more than 200 entries from 34 printing and imaging companies in New England. PINE is the largest trade association to serve printing and graphic communications companies throughout New England.

By
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

Jan & Lydia Wanat v. Sturdy Home Improvement Inc. and Adam Lucey
Allegation: Breach of contract for installation of windows on the plaintiffs’ home: $17,500+
Filed: 10/29/09

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT

Baron P. Spencer v. Heat Fab Inc.
Allegation: Negligent maintenance of property, causing personal injury: $296,585.44
Filed: 11/13/09

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

American Express Bank FSB v. Francis & Phil Beaulieu & Son Home Improvement Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract on credit card accounts: $49,417.60
Filed: 10/13/09

Bank of America v. the Hot Spot Corp.

Allegation: Breach of contract and monies owed on credit card account: $33,679.27
Filed: 9/01/09

Christopher Eldridge v. Salty Dog Saloon Inc.
Allegation: Negligence causing personal injury: $98,754.17
Filed: 10/07/09

Independent Expert Panel, LLC v. Patient EDU, LLC
Allegation: Action for breach of a consulting agreement: $68,280
Filed: 10/15/09

Julius & Dimitra Kenney v. GFI Prospect Development, LLC
Allegation: Enforcement of a judgment entered in district court: $62,142.70
Filed: 10/16/09

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

James Chicoine v. Paradise City Tavern
Allegation: Overcrowding of facility and negligent property maintenance, causing personal injury: $67,261.14
Filed: 11/02/09

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

Cappaccio Home Improvement v. 33 Washington Street Apts.
Allegation: Non-payment of labor and materials for construction and repair work: $6,395
Filed: 11/04/09

SimplexGrinnell, LLC v. CAP Development Inc. and Trak Petroleum, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of goods and services rendered: $27,320
Filed: 10/20/09

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

East Coast Orthodontic Laboratory Inc. v. Bruce S. Fieldman, D.M.D., P.C.
Allegation: Non-payment of orthodontic products sold and delivered: $14,180.22
Filed: 10/26/09

Liberty Mutual v. A&T Taxi & Livery, LLC
Allegation: Unpaid balance on workers’ compensation insurance: $27,778.86
Filed: 10/27/09

Liberty Mutual v. Bog Cat Builders Inc.
Allegation: Unpaid balance on workers’ compensation insurance: $7,618.24
Filed 10/27/09

Liberty Mutual v. D. Curring Trucking Inc.
Allegation: Unpaid balance on workers’ compensation insurance: $6,041.28
Filed: 10/27/09

Liberty Mutual v. J.G. Plastering Inc
Allegation: Unpaid balance on workers’ compensation insurance: $10,925.07
Filed: 10/27/09

Liberty Mutual v. J.B. Silva Co.
Allegation: Unpaid balance on workers’ compensation insurance: $9,351.10
Filed: 10/27/09

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. v. Omniglow, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of shipping charges: $4,422.12
Filed: 10/29/09

Plimpton & Hills Corp. v. Lessard Plumbing & Heating
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $19,986.53
Filed: 10/27/09

Some Strategies to Combat a Jobless Recovery

By
Opinion

What a difference a year makes.

Twelve months ago, people in business — and the media — were talking about how bad things were, and how much worse they could get. Today, as we get set to turn the calendar again, people are talking about how things are better (for the most part) and how much better they can get in 2010.

Unfortunately, the consensus among most economists and bankers is that, while we should expect a recovery, it will be of the slow and steady variety. Making matters worse is that the expectation that this looks to be a ‘jobless recovery,’ where perhaps some, but probably not many, of the jobs lost over the past 12 to 18 months are regained through expansion.

It is our hope, of course, that the experts are wrong. But, realistically, we believe that employers who have learned to make do with fewer people will be cautious and slow to bring people back on the payroll.

So, while waiting and hoping for things to improve, we would encourage area economic-development leaders and elected officials to pursue strategies and policies that will help create new avenues for jobs in our region beyond our existing base. Here are three key areas of focus.

• Continue to pursue green pastures. We’re starting to see the emergence of a ‘green sector’ in the Pioneer Valley. It’s small in comparison to what’s happening in other areas of the country and in comparison to other other industries in this region. But it’s something to build on.

With the arrival of Qteros, a firm striving to revolutionize ethanol production through the use of something called the Q microbe, near Westover in Chicopee; continued research into other green-energy breakthroughs at UMass; and the beginnings of a green-energy cluster in Greenfield, this region has the potential to become a base for a host of industries that will meet what is becoming a national desire to ‘go green.’

The planned high-performance computing center in Holyoke, heading there largely because of the city’s green and inexpensive hydro power, could also draw attention — and perhaps more jobs — to this region.

• Keep young people here — somehow. If this region is ever to develop new sources of jobs, it must have a workforce that is large and attractive enough to entice businesses and emerging sectors to come here. And a big part of this equation is young people.

Many in this constituency will be tempted to leave if there are few job opportunities, equally few chances to move up the ladder, and the perception that there will be no jobs down the road. Thus, companies have to work to engage their existing young employees in the community and make them part of the fabric of this region. They should also support the various young professionals’ groups in Western Mass. that are thus far having great success with helping individuals grow roots in the region.

In the meantime, they should endeavor to create internship and co-op opportunities that will expose young people to the many fine businesses in this area and, in the process, perhaps find their workers of tomorrow. Such internships come with a price tag for the employer in terms of both money and time, but they should be seen as investments, not expenses.

• Continue to grow the ‘eds and meds’ sectors. While this region must continue to look imaginatively toward new and different sources of jobs, it must also strive to support and grow those that already exist, especially health care and education.

These are strong, somewhat healthy sources of employment that must become healthier. Many health-care providers continue to be strapped by insufficient reimbursement. Meanwhile, public colleges and universities, which are becoming more popular as the economy continues to struggle and people seek out the skills to re-enter the workforce, are facing crippling state budget cuts. At a time when many could and should be adding to their faculty and staffs to serve more people, they are instead laying off or implementing hiring freezes.

Elected officials and economic-development leaders alike must understand that the health and well-being of our region is tied largely to the health of these sectors, and respond accordingly.

By
Departments

Ten Points About : Efective marketing

By DENNIS KUNKLER

Effective marketing is all about communicating a well-defined brand. A well-defined brand is the result of well-executed positioning. Growth comes when a brand is focused on the right customers about the things that are most important to them, letting them know exactly what they get when they make a purchase, and then giving them such compelling reasons to do so that they wouldn’t think of going elsewhere.

The very first rule in branding is that it’s not about you. The above statement does not include I, me, we, us, our, or any company names because customers only care about what they get.

When a company understands and enforces their positioning and branding, they will already have the answers to the following questions:

1. Why is it important to really understand what we are selling?

2.How do we avoid running ineffective ‘nobody cares’ ads and promotions?
3. How do we make sure we’re speaking to the right audience?
4. Why do we need a marketing strategy that all key players have agreed to?

5. Why should we have certain core principles and focus in our marketing?

6. How do we attract the right kind of business?
7. What’s ‘ego’ advertising, and how do we avoid creating it?
8. Why is it important that we understand and define our brand?
9. Why should we know the purpose of an ad or brochure before designing it?

10. Why is our advertising constantly re-inventing the wheel?

Hint: All the answers are in the first paragraph.

Dennis Kunkler, a 30-year creative veteran of high-profile brands, is a partner with Grow My Company, a brand consultancy that defines brands for service professionals and other entities; [email protected]

By
Departments

Lexington Group Open House/After 5

Dec. 9: Lexington Group Inc. will celebrate 20 years in business by hosting an After 5 event of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lexington Group, 380 Union St., West Springfield. All area business professionals are invited to attend. Partnering in the celebration are Table & Vine (beer and wine tasting), Lattitude Restaurant (catering), Eric Bascom Trio (music), the Springfield Armor, Tekoa Country Club, and the National MS Society. Attendees can network with fellow professionals while participating in events including a golf simulator, basketball shootout, chair hockey, games of chance, and raffles of thousands of dollars’ worth of new office furniture, including two Herman Miller Aeron chairs. Proceeds from the raffles will support the National MS Society. Register online at www.myonlinechamber.com,  or call Lexington Group at (413) 746-3064 with any questions.

Winterfest

Dec. 9: The Bay Path College Performing Arts Department will celebrate the themes of light, hope, goodwill, and peace for all people during its annual Winterfest program as part of the fall Kaleidoscope Series. The free event begins at 7:30 p.m. in Mills Theatre, Carr Hall, on the Bay Path campus, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. For more information, call (413) 565-1066 or visit www.baypath.edu.

YPS New Year’s Celebration

Dec. 31: The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield has again chosen downtown Springfield for its New Year’s Eve celebration. Only 300 tickets will be available for the affair at the Marriott Hotel in Tower Square. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsorship of the event should visit www.springfieldyps.com  for more details. For ticket information, call Jill Monson of YPS at (413) 219-9692.

Hot Topics in Philanthropy Breakfast

Jan. 8: “Communicating in a Digital Age” is the focus of the next Hot Topics in Philanthrophy Breakfast at Bay Path College in Longmeadow. Nonprofit professionals are invited to the free event; however, registration is required. Keynote speaker Brian Reich, author of Media Rules! Mastering Today’s Technology to Connect with and Keep Your Audience, will provide a framework for understanding our technology-driven environment and how best to harness the appropriate digital tools to communicate an organization’s mission, vision, and purpose. In addition, panelists Suzi Craig, director of marketing at Fathom, and Megan Pete, director of development of the Food Bank of Western Mass., will share their organizational challenges and successes related to this topic. The event is scheduled for 7:30 to 10 a.m. in the Blake Student Commons. To register, visit www.baypath.edu  or call (800) 782-7284, ext. 1056.

Rick’s Place Benefit

Feb. 6: The Wilbraham Country Club will be the setting for the second annual Heart to Heart fundraiser to benefit Rick’s Place Inc. Established in memory of Rick Thorpe, who died in Tower 2 of the World Trade Center on 9/11, Rick’s Place was created to provide a supportive, secure environment where families can remember their loved ones and avoid the sense of isolation that a loss can produce. Rick’s Place offers biweekly bereavement support at no cost for families with children ages 5 to 18. The fund-raiser is scheduled for 6 to 11 p.m., and tickets cost $50. A silent auction and raffle drawing are among the highlights of the evening. Underwriting and corporate sponsorship opportunities are also still available. For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation to Rick’s Place, call Shelly Bathe Lenn, executive director, at (413) 348-3120, or visit www.ricksplacema.org.

Women’s Professional Development Conference

April 30, 2010: Bay Path College will host its 15th annual Women’s Professional Development Conference at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  For more information, call (413) 565-1000 or visit www.baypath.edu.

Westfield Chamber Holiday Breakfast

Dec. 11: The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Holiday Breakfast from 7:15 to 9 a.m. at Shaker Farms Country Club. Santa will appear, and the Westfield High School Concert Chorale will provide musical entertainment. Tickets cost $20 members, $25 for non-members. Deadline for reservations is Dec. 8; all reservations after this date will cost $25 per person. To register, call Marcia at (413) 568-1618, e-mail [email protected],  or log onto www.westfieldbiz.org. Please bring an unwrapped toy for the Salvation Army, and also bring a door prize to highlight your business.

By
Departments

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

Allard, Ronald E.
Wanat-Allard, Patricia M.
20 Martel Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/09

Allen, Charlene Rose
107 S. Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/09

Allen, Michael E.
107 S. Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/09

Allen, Theresa P.
Allen, Richard W.
9 Jackielyn Circle
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/16/09

Asklipious, Alexandra
15 Buel St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/09

Barrus, Scott M.
309 Winsor St., Apt B
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/26/09

Beasi, Paul David
Beasi, Melinda Jane
44 Spring St. Ext.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Bergstrom, Gregg G.
34 Overland Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

Blanchette, Ellen J.
37 Sunrise Terrace
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/22/09

Bohl, Sarah J.
450 Church St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/22/09

Bottomley, Walter J.
Bottomley, Debra
4 Orchard Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Boutet, Shawn Lee
Boutet, Jennifer Lynn
990 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Breault, Robert D.
31 Montgomery Ave
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/18/09

Bullock, Andrew Ellis
178 Eden Trail Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/09

Bullock, Joni Elizabeth
a/k/a Schriver, Joni
4 Spring Terrace
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/09

Busiere, Jodi A.
289 Lower Hampden Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/16/09

Cantoni, Joseph M.
Cantoni, Karen J.
188 West Shaft Road
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

Caron, Richard E.
Caron, Diane A.
928 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/09

CDS Developement LLC
1 Roger Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 11
Filing Date: 10/27/09

Clark, Hugh V.
Clark, Ellen M.
51 Arden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/21/09

Claudio, Joselito
303 Maple St., Apt. 327
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Collins, Brad Garett
1038 North St., Ext.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/20/09

Cordero, Luis A.
Cordero, Irbian R.
30 Arlington St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/24/09

Cote, Earl L.
Cote, Karen L.
1273 Brimfield Road
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/26/09

Croelle, Daniel Gene
760 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/23/09

Cruz, Carmen M.
51 Wait St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/09

Cruz, Linda I.
75 Walnut St., Unit A
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/22/09

Custom Framing by Robert
MacKenzie, Robert R.
MacKenzie, Dawn T.
68 Hapgood St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/18/09

DelValle, Juan
a/k/a DelValle Rodriguez, Juan
P.O. Box 514
Springfield, MA 01101
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/09

Dubour, Jennifer A.
121 Roy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/21/09

Dunham, Shannon Marie
122 Main St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/26/09

Eichstedt, Brian L.
Eichstedt, Bonnie J.
77 East St.
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

Escalante, Michael
26 Muzzy St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/21/09

Fontanez, Maria
16 Farragut St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

Francis, Anna D.
Francis, Edward W.
15 Macomber Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/09

Furnelli, Edward George
Furnelli, Donna Marie
20 Gill St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/23/09

Furtado, Carlos R.
Furtado, Paulina D.
395 B Wilbraham St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Gagnon, William P.
Gagnon, Melanie E.
a/k/a Beauvais, Melanie Elize
205 Tamarack Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/17/09

Garcia, Adalberto
12 Mattoon St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Garcia, Jose M.
37 Miller St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/09

Giedrowicz, Maciej
228 E. Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

Gillis, Jason R.
Gillis, Christine D.
72 Fowler Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/09

Gingras, Robert J.
Gingras, Michelle S.
73 Beaver Lake Rd.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/20/09

Grice, Queenie V.
15 Darling St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/09

Hadley, Linda J.
37 Burford Ave
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Hatzipetro, Gary E.
491 S. West St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

Heffernan, Eileen M.
53 Bevier St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Jilson, Keith R.
18 Hilltop Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/26/09

Judd, William E.
12 B Standish Court
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/09

Kanaley, Richard A.
Kanaley, Cynthia L.
26 Helen Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Kavey, James R.
PO Box 3171
Pittsfield, MA 01202
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/26/09

Kenyon, James R.
Kenyon, Sandra L.
a/k/a Coogan, Sandra L.
740 Mill St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Kibbe, Gretchen Elizabeth
20 Cottage St. #3
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/22/09

King, Steven Paul
41 Central Shaft Road
Florida, MA 01247
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Lanfair, Timothy Jerry
144 Church St., Apt 2
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

  

LaPierre, Leon D.
47 Glenvale St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/09

Laviolette, Sandra E.
7 Davis Way
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/21/09

Law Offices of Colin Keefe
Keefe, Colin
388 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Lemay, Roger E.
Lemay, Eileen A
407 S. Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Leskowitz, Andrew T.
P.O. Box 15262
Springfield, MA 01103
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/26/09

Levin, Jonas P.
431 Dewey St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Licence, Anna M.
25 Thomas St., Apt. 60
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/17/09

Linscott, Gregory J.
41 Bissell Road
Goshen, MA 01096
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Maldonado, Linda
196 Corcoran Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

Mayo, Florence C.
391 Main St., Apt. 306
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

McDonald, James E.
McDonald, Linda A.
12 Daniel Square Ext.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Metro Builders
Lemieux, Wilfred Paul
127 Country Club Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

Miller, Stephen Douglas
56 Hillside Road
South Deerfield, MA 01373
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Minkos, Mark A.
112 Carpenter Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/27/09

Monsees, Donald T.
433 West Main St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/17/09

Mortimer, Rivera
a/k/a Mirta, Rivera M.
377 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/09

Mulero, Neida
176 Keddy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/16/09

O’Connor, Phyllis E.
a/k/a Herman, Phyllis
26 Village Green Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Ojeda, Maria A.
93 Grochmal Ave., Lot 8
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

On The Level
United Landscaping and Co.
Mill River Landscaping
Fournier, Christopher M.
17 Franklin St.
Millers Falls, MA 01349
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/09

Pedevillano, Elizabeth Dolly
159 Glendale Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/09

Peloquin, Christopher M.
Peloquin, Karen R.
202 College St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/26/09

Planadeball, Wanda L.
a/k/a Planadeball-McGriff, Wanda L
226 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/09

Plouffe, Edmond J.
Plouffe, Phyllis J.
27 Julia Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/09

Poirier, William P.
21 Chestnut St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/26/09

Proctor, Charles C.
37 Shumway St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/21/09

Proctor, Christina M.
a/k/a LeBlanc, Christina M.
37 Slumway St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/21/09

Ramsdell, Ann M.
61 Lealand Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

Randall, Zsuzsana E.
32 Hollans Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

Rau, Jennifer Ann
a/k/a Pieciak, Jennifer A.
74 Silver St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/30/09

Ray, Susan
62 Wellesley St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Renkowic, Norrene
a/k/a Gaudreau, Norrene
71 Ice Pond Dr.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/09

Rick’s PC Service
Scott, Richard Allen
Scott, Lori Lynne
a/k/a Leberman, Lori Lynne
839 Florence Road
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

Rowbotham, Christopher
55 Pine St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/09

Sanderell, Kathlene A.
655 North Main St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Santana, Carmen I.
92 Wilber St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/09

Santiago, Israel
Lopez, Margarita
a/k/a Lopez-Matias, Margarita
299 Allen Park Road, Apt.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

Sayball, Stephanie L.
16 North Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/26/09

Schuster, Dave P.
10 Winthrop St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/09

Suse, Joseph C.
88 Berwick Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

Sylvester, Kyle
32 Irene St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/09

Szymkiewicz, Todd E.
Szymkiewicz, Katherine A.
526 Southwick Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/17/09

Thomas, Bruce P.
1009 Town Farm Road
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/09

Thomson, Keith M.
Thomson, Jennifer L.
Collins, Jennifer L.
2000 Cape St.
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/16/09

Valliere, Cynthia Jean
275 Woodland Way
Russell, MA 01071
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

Walker, Beth A.
a/k/a King, Beth A.
P.O. Box 50
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/09

Warren, John
161 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/09

White, Diane L.
a/k/a Merron, Diane L.
134 Drury Ave, Apt 2
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

White, Stephen M.
White, Shannon L.
54 Oxford St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/16/09

Williams, Francis A.
27 Bungalow St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/09

Williamson, Henry G.
3 Ash Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/09

Wojcieszek, George
PO Box 338
West Warren, MA 01092
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/22/09

Wojcik, Edward A.
Wojcik, Carrie A.
12 Prospect St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/17/09

Wright, Dorothy A.
251 Greenaway Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/09

By
Departments

Six Hospitals File Lawsuit Against Massachusetts

BOSTON — Holyoke Medical Center (HMC), Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, and four other community hospitals are suing the Commonwealth for millions of dollars in unreimbursed payment for health care services delivered to residents. The hospitals are known as ‘disproportionate share hospitals’ (DSH) because at least 63% of their patients are covered by public insurance. While health care reform has brought the state closer to universal coverage, the unintended consequence of that success is that many DSH hospitals are experiencing significant shortfalls in payments as they treat additional patients whose public insurance doesn’t cover the full cost of care. The other four plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital in Brockton, Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill, and Quincy Medical Center. The lawsuit was filed on Dec. 1. The hospitals claim that the state has violated a law requiring financial reimbursement equal to the costs of providing care to Medicaid recipients. They say that the state has set Medicare, Medicaid,and other reimbursement rates so low that many of them are facing severe financial distress as they fulfill their state mandate to care for more and more individuals covered by public insurance. Talk of a lawsuit heated up earlier this year when Boston Medical Center, the Commonwealth’s largest disproportionate-share hospital, sued the state, accusing it of reneging on promised Medicaid reimbursement rates. However, other hospitals argue that BMC already soaks up too much available funding and, by angling for more through the legal system, could harm other hospitals. As HMC President and CEO Hank Porten recently told BusinessWest, “the concern we had is that, if this proceeded through the litigation or settlement process, Boston Medical Center could end up with a large amount of what’s available for disproportionate-share hospitals.” The community DSH hospitals that are party to the lawsuit handle nearly four times as many patients covered by government insurance, as measured in patient days, than Boston Medical Center and Cambridge Health Alliance combined. The hospitals provide care for more than 1.5 million patients and handle more than 300,000 emergency care visits annually. Some of them are the only hospital within 25 miles in their communities. “We might not be smart enough to know what amount is fair,” Porten said, “but we’re smart enough to know that there are at least two definitions of fair now, and we want the legal system to define for us what is fair. We should be paid at Boston Medical Center’s rate, or, if we’re all being paid at our rate, then Boston Medical Center shouldn’t get additional money. We don’t begrudge Boston Medical what they’ve received; we all need the funding. But there has to be some parity. There shouldn’t be any difference between the poor of Holyoke and the poor of Boston.” The six hospitals in the lawsuit maintain that unfunded mandates have resulted in significant financial losses as well as prevented or delayed investment in capital projects, equipment, and other updated health care resources for their communities.

Survey: Black Friday Retail Results Mixed

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A National Retail Federation (NRF) survey conducted over the weekend of Black Friday confirms experts expected: more people shopped, but spent less, than a year ago. According to NRF’s Black Friday shopping survey, conducted by BIGresearch, 195 million shoppers visited stores and Web sites over Black Friday weekend, up from 172 million last year. However, the average spending over the weekend dropped to $343.31 per person from $372.57 a year ago. Total spending reached an estimated $41.2 billion. “Shoppers proved that they were willing to open their wallets for a bargain, heading out to take advantage of great deals on less-expensive items like toys, small appliances, and winter clothes,” said Tracy Mullin, NRF president and CEO. “While retailers are encouraged by the number of Americans who shopped over Black Friday weekend, they know they have their work cut out for them to keep people coming back through Christmas. Shoppers can continue to expect retailers to focus on low prices and bargains through the end of December.” Shoppers’ destination of choice over the weekend following Thanksgiving seemed to be department stores, with nearly half (49.4%) of holiday shoppers visiting at least one, a 12.9% increase from last year. Discount retailers took an uncharacteristic back seat, with 43.2% of holiday shoppers heading to discount stores over the weekend and another 7.8% heading to outlet stores. Shoppers also visited electronics stores (29%), clothing stores (22.9%), and grocery stores (19.6%). More than one-fourth of Americans shopping over the weekend (28.5%) were shopping online. “In an economy like this one, every retailer wants to be a discounter,” Mullin said. “Department stores have done an admirable job touting both low prices and good quality, which are important requirements for holiday shoppers on a budget.” According to the survey, nearly one-third (32.2%) of shoppers purchased toys, an increase of 12.9% from last year. Additionally, more people purchased sporting goods (12.6% vs. 11.4% last year), personal care or beauty items (22.4% vs. 19%), and gift cards (21.2% vs. 18.7%). The most popular purchases were of clothing (40.9%) and books (40.3%), which remained nearly unchanged over last year.

Unemployment Claims Down Nationally, Locally

The Massachusetts unemployment rate dropped in October for the first time in two years, and job losses slowed, signs the state’s struggling job market may be stabilizing. The jobless rate in Massachusetts fell to 8.9% in October, down from 9.3% in September, the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported. Unemployment in Massachusetts had not fallen since June 2007. The October employment report, with 900 job losses statewide, represents a sharp improvement from September, when employers slashed 9,300 jobs. Still, many sectors continue to struggle. Manufacturing shed another 2,300 jobs in October, bringing job losses over the past year to nearly 18,000, or 6% of employment. Real-estate employment, down 15% over the year, fell by another 800 jobs last month. Retailers shed 700 jobs, and state and local governments cut 800. On the plus side, three key sectors in the Bay State — education, health services, and professional, scientific, and technical services — each added about 1,500 jobs last month. Massachusetts has lost 125,000 jobs, or just under 4% of employment, during this recession, slightly better than the nation as a whole, which has lost more than 5% of employment. Nationally, the number of first-time filers for unemployment insurance fell to 466,000 in the week ended Nov. 14, the lowest level in 14 months, according to a government report. However, “it seems to be a statistical pop,” Tim Quinlan, an economist at Wells Fargo, told CNN. “As much as I’d like it to continue, I don’t see claims continuing to fall at this pace.” Still, Quinlan said he expects a gradual decline in initial claims throughout the coming months.

By
Departments

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

AGAWAM

Town of Agawam
68 Main St.
$89,500 — New acoustical ceilings in three rooms

OMG
153 Bowles Road
$3,000 — Construct partitions for office

AMHERST

GPT – RG Amherst LLC
422 Belchertown Road
$31,000 — New roof

Hills House, LLC
81 McClellan St.
$10,000 — New roof

CHICOPEE

Chicopee Housing Authority
630 Chicopee St.
$15,000 — Install 20-by-14 canopy over rear entrance patio

EASTHAMPTON

Calvary Baptist Church
413 Main St.
$5,000 — Install coal burning stove

Eastworks, LLP
116 Pleasant St.
$10,000 — Roof repairs

Kim McCarthy
97 Cottage St.
$55,000 — Create new offices

Nick & Betty Dupre
54-60 Ferry St.
$9,500 – 45 replacement windows

Robert Powers Jr.
77-79 Union St.
$20,000 — Renovations

Williston Northampton School
191 Main St.
$32,000 — Create means of egress for second-floor dormitory

GREENFIELD

Franklin Medical Center
164 High St.
$17,500 — Provide fire protection pre-action system in generator and air compressor rooms

Franklin Medical Center
164 High St.
$10,000 — Renovate stair enclosure

HADLEY

Marc Morrocco
446 Russell St.
$550,000 — Renovation of existing gas station

Young Men’s Club of Hadley
138 East St.
$40,000 — 20-by-20 one-story addition

HOLYOKE

Sunoco Products Company
200 S. Water St.
$288,000 — Construct a 50’ x 62’ pre-engineered building

LUDLOW

Big Y Foods Inc.
433 Center St.
$3,000 — Alterations

  

Citizens Bank
645 Center St.
$27,000 — Alterations

NORTHAMPTON

City of Northampton
42 Gothic St.
$49,000 — Install new ramp with footings, walls, and rails

Coolidge Northampton, LLC
249 King St.
$5,000 — Interior renovations to suite #212

Raymond Realty Trust
1 Lovefield St.
$6,000 — Non-structural interior renovations

Smith College
64 Kensington Ave.
$7,000 — Sheetrock dining room and kitchen ceiling

Smith College
126 West St.
$5,000 — Enlarge loading dock

The Homeowners at Laurel
Laurel Park Meeting House
$4,400 — Re-roof

West Arnold Land Trust
12 Arnold Ave.
$2,100 — Install six replacement windows

SOUTH HADLEY

Loomis Village
10 Bayou Dr.
$12,500 — New porch

SOUTHWICK

Southwick Recreational Center
64 Powdermill Road
$9,000 — Interior renovations

SPRINGFIELD

Children’s Home Study
30 Sherman St.
$52,000 — Minor renovations to create new office and bathrooms

Chris Arilotta
755 Liberty St.
$8,000 — Interior renovations

Columbus Ave. Realty, LLC
765 East Columbus Ave.
$40,000 — Interior renovation of existing tenant space

Laura Fitzgerald
195 Wachusett St.
$9,000 — Installation of storage area

Peter Houser
318 Boston Road
$25,000 — Interior renovation

Springfield Girl’s Club
100 Acorn St.
$35,000 — New Windows

WESTFIELD

Westfield Oaks, LLC
404 Southwick Road
$2,000 — Replace windows

By
Departments

Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
(413) 787-1555
www.myonlinechamber.com

Dec. 9: ACCGS After 5/WRC, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by the Lexington Group, 380 Union St., West Springfield. Tickets: $20 general admission, $10 members.
Dec. 11: East of the River 5 Town Chamber Holiday Breakfast, 7 to 9 a.m., hosted by  Elmcrest Country Club, East Longmeadow. Speaker: Dr. John Glick, the Humor Doctor. Tickets: $25 general admission, $20 members.

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com

Dec. 16: After 5/Holiday Party, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted and sponsored by PeoplesBank, Amherst.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
(413) 594-2101
www.chicopeechamber.org

Please see Web site for upcoming events.

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
(413) 773-5463
www.franklincc.org

Dec. 22: Holiday Breakfast, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Recorder Citizen of the Year Award, Deerfield Academy. Music, gifts, and great food. Tickets: members $23, non-members $25.

Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
(413) 527-9414
www.easthamptonchamber.org

Dec. 17: Holiday Dinner Dance, 6 to 11 p.m., hosted by Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, Holyoke. An evening of friends and holiday spirit, including the chamber’s annual awards. Big raffle with $5,000 drawing, butlered hors d’oeuvres, multi-station entrees, Viennese dessert table, cash martini and full-service bar, music provided by Michael J Productions. Public invited. Excellent business party opportunity. Group reservations available. Tickets: $45 inclusive.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
(413) 534-3376
www.holycham.com

Dec. 9: Holiday Salute Breakfast, doors open at 7:30 a.m., hosted by the Delaney House, Holyoke. Tickets: $20.

Dec. 16: Chamber Holiday After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by the Delaney House, Holyoke. Tickets: $5 members, $10 cash non-members.

Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
(413) 584-1900
www.explorenorthampton.com

Dec. 9: Northampton Area Young Professionals Party with a Purpose, 5 to 8 p.m., hosted by Silverscape Designs. Free for members, $5 for guests.

Dec. 11: New Member Breakfast, 8 to 9:30 a.m., hosted by the chamber. Free for members.

Dec. 15: Meet & Eat, 7:30 to 9 a.m., hosted by the Delaney House, Holyoke. Sponsored by Easthampton Savings Bank. Tickets: $15 members, $20 guests.

Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
(413) 283-2418
www.qvcc.biz

Please see Web site for upcoming events.

South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
(413) 532-6451
www.shchamber.com

Please see Web site for upcoming events.

Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
(413) 283-6425
www.threeriverschamber.org

Please see Web site for upcoming events.

Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
(413) 568-1618
www.westfieldbiz.org

Dec. 11: Annual Holiday Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., hosted by Shaker Farms Country Club, Westfield. Santa will appear, and the Westfield High School Concert Chorale, under the direction of Kory Bruno, will provide musical entertainment. Premier members:Westfield Gas and Electric, Westfield Bank, and Easthampton Savings Bank. Tickets: $20 members, $25 non-members. Deadline for Reservations is December 8. All reservations after this date will be billed at $25 per person. To register, call Marcia at (413) 568-1618, e-mail [email protected], or log onto www.westfieldbiz.org. Please bring an unwrapped toy for the Salvation Army, and also bring a door prize to highlight your business.

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com

Dec. 9: For December, we will not hold a Third Thursday, but instead will join the ACCGS After 5 on Dec. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lexington Group, 380 Union St., West Springfield. In the spirit of the holiday season, we encourage everyone to bring a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to the children of the Children’s Study Home. For non-members, a toy will be accepted in lieu of the $5 entrance fee.

Dec. 19: Ring the Red Kettles, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in front of Macy’s inside the Eastfield Mall. We ask that you donate two hours of your time for this worthy cause. If interested, e-mail Maureen Pick-nally at [email protected].

By
Departments

Marcus Printing Goes Green

HOLYOKE — Marcus Printing has recently earned several environmental certifications that will enable its clients to create ‘greener’ printed materials. In addition to being granted Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Certification by Scientific Certification Systems, the company is the first printer in New England to offset 100% of its carbon-dioxide emissions to achieve Certification of Carbon Neutral Status by Verus Carbon Neutral. Marcus Printing is a Holyoke-based, third-generation, family-owned commercial printing business.

Hannoush Jewelers Opens Flagship Store

SPRINGFIELD — Hannoush Jewelers, a privately owned jewelry manufacturer, retailer, and diamond importer, recently opened an innovative flagship store at Eastfield Mall. Hannoush Jewelers Vice President Camile Hannoush noted that her family was “looking forward to coming back home to the Eastfield Mall,” since their jewelry career began at Eastfield in 1980. The Hannoush family touts its flagship business as the “first-of-its-kind jewelry-manufacturing retail store.” The nearly 22,000-square-foot store includes a 3,300-square-foot jewelry showroom and a 700-square-foot Pandora boutique. The store also houses a manufacturing area with a glass wall that invites shoppers into the world of jewelry craftsmanship where they can view jewelry being repaired and manufactured.

MassMutual Achieves 76% YTD Increase in Sales

SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division has recorded a 76% increase in nonprofit retirement-plan sales through Oct. 31, 2009 vs. the same period last year. MassMutual’s nonprofit expertise and financial stability are attractive to advisors and their clients, according to Hugh O’Toole, senior vice president and head of sales and client management for MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division. O’Toole added that MassMutual’s strength in consolidating multiple plans under a single provider is “highly valued” in this market. In addition to tremendous growth in the health care market, MassMutual has achieved sales success in several nonprofit sub-niches, including charitable 501©(3) organizations, private education, and religious organizations, added O’Toole. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com/retire.

Bed Bath & Beyond Opens Hadley Store

HADLEY — Bed Bath & Beyond recently opened a 27,000-square-foot store at 337 Russell St., featuring domestic merchandise and home furnishings. The Hadley store is the 26th store in Massachusetts. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A Bed Bath & Beyond is also located in Holyoke.

Lenovo Awards WCA for Customer Service

SOUTHWICK — Whalley Computer Associates (WCA) was recently recognized by Lenovo as a ‘premier servicer’ based on its record customer-satisfaction rating of 98.2%. WCA earned premier-servicer status based on its full-prior-year warranty performance of more than 800 warranty transactions. Lenovo noted in its recognition that “WCA excelled at repairing machines correctly the first time with a first-time fix rate of 94.1%, excellent parts efficiency, and an average parts per machine of 1.09. This placed WCA in the top 5% nationally of all of our Lenovo servicers.” In other company news, WCA was one of 18 members of the top 500 Solution Providers in North America to receive additional recognition as a best-practice leader by VarBusiness magazine. Also, WCA has received the IBM Chairman’s Award for Customer Service, recognizing the company’s outstanding commitment to service over a five-year period. WCA was the only New England-based company and one of six companies in North and South America to receive the prestigious industry award.

Best of Boston Road Winners Honored

WILBRAHAM — The Boston Road Business Assoc. recently honored the Best of Boston Road winners at the Wilbraham Country Club during its sixth annual gala awards dinner. A dozen winners were chosen based on approximately 200 votes received from local businesses and the customers who shop on Boston Road. The 2009 winners in their respective categories are: Lia Toyota, auto dealership; Countryside Auto Body, auto/gas service; Scantic Valley YMCA, recreational/fitness service; Boulder Brooke Dental, health/dental service; the Gaudreau Group, professional service; Wilbraham Animal Hospital, general service; Big Y in Wilbraham, food and beverage service; Horizons, restaurant; Quinn’s Fine Jewelry, retail store; Monson Savings Bank, banks/credit unions; Red Robin, Best New Boston Road Business; and Valley Stone Credit Union, Boston Road Business of the Year. The winners received award certificates and citations. Proceeds from the evening’s ticket sales and silent auction, exceeding $5,000, will help fund the Light Up Boston Road holiday spectacular. The awards dinner was sponsored by the Gaudreau Group, Country Bank for Savings, and the Eastfield Mall. The Boston Road Business Assoc. is a Massachusetts not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to unite the businesses along the Boston Road corridor in Springfield and Wilbraham to share resources and stimulate and promote growth and development of the business community.

Salvation Army Teams Up with Armor

SPRINGFIELD — The Greater Springfield Salvation Army has partnered with Springfield’s NBA-D League team, the Springfield Armor, in its main fund-raiser of the holiday season. The Springfield Armor is the official sponsor of the Red Kettle Campaign. As part of the sponsorship, the red kettles will be present at various Springfield Armor games at the MassMutual Center. The Salvation Army’s goal this season is to reach $62,000, which will help assist thousands of people in the Springfield area.

Roadhouse Café Featured on WGBY

BELCHERTOWN — Joan Dahl-Lussier, owner of the Roadhouse Café, participated in a cooking segment on Dec. 3 on the WGBY program, On the Menu. WGBY chooses restaurants based on geography, the chef’s unique cooking style, and use of locally grown produce and farm-raised products. The Roadhouse Café was chosen for a breakfast segment featuring Dahl-Lussier’s award-winning organic blueberry pancakes, along with other specialty breakfast dishes. The Roadhouse Café is now open for lunch on weekdays, and fare includes homemade organic soups, salads, and hot panini sandwiches. Café hours are weekdays from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

AETNA and Pets Best Insurance Reach Agreement

HARTFORD, Conn. — Aetna and Pets Best Insurance recently announced an agreement with the Chamber Insurance Program to provide 50,000 local businesses and chambers of commerce in Massachusetts access to discounted rates on pet-insurance plans. Pets Best Insurance is the administrator for plans underwritten by Aetna Insurance Co. of Connecticut. These plans have earned the exclusive recommendation of the American Veterinary Medical Assoc. Group Health and Life Insurance Trust. The plans reimburse 80% of veterinary bills after payment of the deductible. Monthly premium rates are based on breed, the pet’s age, and the typical veterinary costs within a policyholder’s area. Plans are subject to limitations and exclusions, but there are no benefit schedules or fee restrictions. Plans do not include maximum age restrictions, and allow pet owners to choose any licensed veterinarian. For more information on the pet insurance offering, visit www.chamberpets.com.

By
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

Capital One Bank v. Ace Industrial Cleaning Co.
Allegation: Monies owed for credit advanced: $2,466.21
Filed: 10/29/09

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT

Larry G. Cushing & Sons Inc. v. Atlantic Ground Source
Allegation: Non-payment of well drilling services rendered: $43,075.70
Filed: 10/30/09

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Gary Wing v. Westside Finishing Inc. and John Roth
Allegation: The defendant negligently unloaded a steel box, causing the box to strike the plaintiff: $363,167.02
Filed: 9/24/09

Karen L. Melikian, administratrix of the estate of Mary Ann Charter, v. Life Care Center of Wilbraham
Allegation: Wrongful death caused by a cerebrovascular accident, after the decedent was negligently dislodged from a wheelchair and struck her head: $350,000
Filed: 10/21/09

Prime Plywood & Panel Inc. v. Formica Corp.
Allegation: Price discrimination and unfair and deceptive trade practices: $600,000
Filed: 10/29/09

Velma Chase v. Wing Memorial Hospital Corp.
Allegation: Medical malpractice; patient described as being at high risk for fall was left unattended for an extended period of time, fell, and suffered personal injuries: $140,000
Filed: 10/22/09

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

DeForche Construction, N.V. v. Hampden Structural Systems d/b/a Private Garden Greenhouse Systems and Joseph Hickson
Allegation: Breach of contracts and failure to pay subcontractor for materials and services rendered: $1,109,702
Filed: 10/22/09

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT

Utica Mutual Insurance Co., subrogee of NEFCO Corp. v. Commercial Auto Service and Rafael de la Cruz
Allegation: Defendant’s customer negligently operated his motor vehicle, causing damage to building: $3,010.27
Filed: 10/14/09

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

First Bank – Mt. Pleasant v. Classical 5-Element Acupuncture and Margaret Gold, M.D.
Allegation: Non-payment of judgment: $13,907.13
Filed: 11/5/09

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

ABC Supply Co. Inc. v. BB Roofing
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $2,746.89
Filed: 10/21/09

Bank of America, N.A. v. Ribbery Sports Bar & Grill
Allegation: Non-payment of monies loaned: $18,642.42
Filed: 10/14/09

Comcast Spotlight Inc. v. Premier Club Enterprises Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of advertising services rendered: $1,947.02
Filed: 10/13/09

Johanna Rosario v. Springfield Area Transit Authority
Allegation: Pedestrian struck by PVTA bus, sustaining multiple injuries: $4,168.76
Filed: 10/20/09

Karen L. Myrade v. Ames Design Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of accounting services rendered: $5,983.70
Filed: 10/09/09

Lifting Gear Hire Corp. v. Global Demolition & Recycling, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of rental equipment provided: $25,220.99
Filed: 10/14/09

Whitney Building Products Inc. v. Tetreault Masonry Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $6,687.68
Filed: 10/19/09

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Leanne Barrett v. Century 21 A-1 Nolan Realty, LLC
Allegation: Breach of real-estate agreement and failure to return deposit: $5,000
Filed: 10/30/09

By
Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of November 2009.

AGAWAM

Pleasures & Treasures
610 Springfield St.
Deborah Sullivan

Shear Techniques
711 Main St.
Diane Palazzi

Shoulder Your Style
33 Cypress Terr.
Catherine M. Gionet

Traveling Admin.
179 School St.
Jacqueline M. Brusa

AMHERST

Caizan Home Improvement
171 Colonial Village
Juan Caizan

GranAuto
171 Colonial Village
Juan Caizan

Harchik AARP Associates, LLC
239 Aubinwood Road
Alan Harchik

Okapi Cab
534 Main St.
Dieudo Etinde

CHICOPEE

Dunkin Donuts
820 Memorial Dr.
Ana Capela

Miami Nails
591 Memorial Dr.
Alphonso Can

Myeties.com
87 Baystate Road
Scott A. Bieda

New Image Siding & Windows
17 High St.
Jeremy Dion

Perfect Fit Dental Lab
210 Exchange St.
Vitaliy Trachenko

Stephanie’s Painting Service
1226 Montgomery St.
Stephanie Tardif

The Sheffield Cartage Co.
340 McKinstry Ave.
James Royce

EASTHAMPTON

Easthampton Art School
150 Pleasant St.
Marilyn Sturgill

Hinkie Pinkie
62 Briggs St.
Audrey Hyronen

Papa Georges Pizza
135 Northampton St.
John Tsishakis

Quality Carpentry
180 Northampton St.
Said Lmaalem

Wild Sky Farm
4 Kingsherry Way
Kristen Wilmer

EAST LONGMEADOW

Apex Underwriting Solutions
115 Canterbury Circle
Gregg R. Secor

Jeffrey Schiff
354 Elm St.
Jeffrey Schiff

GREENFIELD

Baystate Health Ambulance
338 High St.
Keith McLean–Shinaman

Garden Gate Recordings
140 Davis St.
Robert LaMountain

GCB Financial Services
277 Federal St.
Eric A. Marsh

Goodies Restaurant
256 Federal St.
Goodies Restaurant, Inc.

Green River Auto
144 Shelburne Road
Richard Andrew

Help Around the House
406 Country Side
Robert S. Page Jr.

Lapine Multimedia
14 Farren St.
William & Kathy White

Liebenon Auto Body
163 Wells St.
Robert Liebenon

The Beancake Factory
324 Wells St.
Francis Mozea

V.O. Rell Institute of Real Estate
38 Bank Road
Dan Viorel Oros

HADLEY

Aaron Transportation
58 Russell St.
Scott Bellemore

HOLYOKE

Rack Room Shoes Inc.
50 Holyoke St.
Peter R. Barr

Sturbridge Yankee Peddlar
50 Holyoke St.
Michael Slate

LUDLOW

Community Counseling Solutions
733 Chapin St.
Janice Loboda

Grey Nook Flowers
343 Winsor St.
Allan Floyd

Reptiles Crossing & Shagg’s Pets
204 West St.
James Maciag

Walgreen’s
54 East St.
Walgreen Eastern Co.

NORTHAMPTON

Pleasant Auto Detail
297 Pleasant St.
Omar de Jesus

Strom Remodeling
144 North Maple St.
Richard Strom

Vegamica
245 Main St.
Derek Goodwin

  

PALMER

Alternative Marketing Concepts
12 Vernon St.
Walter Haggerty

Tri Town Flea Market
1311 Park St.
Jennie Grimaldi

SOUTHWICK

Back In Balance
10 Gloria Dr.
Donna Davis

Dewey Landlord
14 Hunters Ridge
Nadia Martin

Don’s Chocolates
168 Berkshire Road
Donald H. Roy

SPRINGFIELD

A & D Appraisals
46 Crittenden St.
Donald R. Bailleul

A.O. Wash Innovations
61 Wollaston St.
Arenzo O. Washington

Amato Catering
1127 Main St.
Joseph R. Amato

Apremont Productions
125 Main St.
Robert H. Ryan

Arcadis U.S. Inc.
51 Taylor St.
Steven J. Niparko

Around the Clock
130 Fenwick St.
Linda M. Sheehan

Beacon Sales Company
75 Cadwell Dr.
Ross D. Cooper

Branford Hall Career Institute
112 Industry Ave.
William Anjos

C and C Cleaning Service
239 Senator St.
Glenn W. Cole

City Line Café
9-11 Rimmon Ave.
Joseph Vecchiarelli

Congregation B’Nai Torah
2 Bunice Dr.
Kenneth Abrahams

CPR Prompt Corporation
114 Marengo Park
Donald Clarke

Custom Travel Concepts
72 East Alvord St.
Charlene Corris

DCD Consulting LLC
1 Federal St.
Dennis Driscoll

Dexom Mobile Corporation
383 Belmont Ave.
Hai V. Le

E-Globalliiquidators.net
73 Mobile Home Way
Edith I. Savoy

Energizing N’ Touch Massage
529 Main St.
Hermenia Grayson

Eram Enterprises Inc.
766 Liberty St.
Mark Flagg

Finish Line Trucking Inc.
43 School St.
Karl V. Flash

Grez Automotive
604 Boston Road
Walter Joseph

Impoco’s Poultry Market
468 Walnut St.
Anthony J. Impoco

Irizarry’s Towing
72 Elijah St.
Emmanuel Lewis

J.V. Services
44 Calhoun St.
Juan Vazquez, Jr.

JTK Arts
85 Trafton Road
Justin Timothy

WESTFIELD

Bills Repair Service Inc.
530 Pochassic Road
William A. Sorel

Diamonds Cut
246 Elm St.
Pete Nales

Low Key Auto
174 Main St.
Brandon Furches

Pyrofax Propane
28 Arch Road
Timothy Casey

Redline Action Hobbies
53 North Elm St.
Libia Marco

Timberline Tree Service
760 Montgomery Road
Edwin C. Rafus

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Fran’s Transcription Service
100 Virginia Ave.
Frances Demont

Integrated Marketing Communications
117 Upper Beverly Hill
Page One Product, LLC

It’s a Lucy Life
92 Cataumet Lane
Catherine R. Hedges

Keuco Group of Bernardston Inc.
1299 Riverdale St.
Kevin Pernice

R & T Handyman Services
23 Elmdale St.
Richard C. Allen

Rossen & Sons Landscaping
37 Squassick Road
Ronald O. Rossen

Siano’s Plumbing Repair
145 Poplar Ave.
William L. Siano III

By
Departments

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

AGAWAM

Mehar Inc., 308 Suffield St., Agawam, MA 01001. Rashad Rauf, 41 Royal St., Agawam, MA 01001.

AMHERST

Vita Nova Inc., 55 North Pleasant St., Amherst. MA 01002. Scott Hsu, 15 New Ludlow Road Apt 10, Chicopee, MA 01020. A corporation organized entirely for religious purposes, and with the goal of teaching, preaching, and spreading the gospel of Christ and ministering to the local and worldwide community in the name of Christ Jesus and through The Holy Spirit.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Bertelli Holdings Inc., 328 Parker St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Brent Bertelli, same. To purchase, operate, and control other companies.

Meadows Dental Group Inc., 100 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Thomasz A. Chrzan, 89 Pendleton Lane, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Rendering professional dental services.

EASTHAMPTON

Art Bar Café Inc., 1 Northampton St., Easthampton, MA 01027. Alexei Levine, 81 Pine Grove, Amherst, MA 01040. Café bar.

FLORENCE

Liberty St. Global Enterprises Inc., 56 Liberty St., Florence, MA 01062. Gretchen J. Hendricks, same. eCommerce.

GRANBY

TLJ Realty Corp., 72 Pleasant St., Granby, MA 01033. William E. Johnson, 79 Amherst St., Granby, MA 01033. Retail management of own real estate.

  

HOLYOKE

M.J. Norton Security Inc., 25 Pinehurst Road, Holyoke, MA 01040. Robert Allen, Same. Security company.

Runway Corp Inc., 50 Holyoke St., D258, Holyoke, MA 01040. Kenneth Michael Dupuy, 12 Greenfield Ave., Waterbury, CT 06708. Retail clothing chain.

LUDLOW

S. Landscaping Inc., 37 Highland Ave., Ludlow, MA 01056. Vania M. Silva. Same. Landscaping, retaining walls.

SOUTHAMPTON

Truehart Inc., 23 College Highway, Southampton, MA 01073. Paul E. Truhart, same. Ownership, development, and management of commercial real estate.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Allied Drywall Inc., 900 Riverdale St., P.O. Box 146, West Springfield, MA 01089. Geraldine A. Pelc, 17 Forest Dr., South Hadley, MA 01075. Residential and non-residential construction including ceilings and walls.

WESTFIELD

Pioneer Valley Volleyball Academy Inc., 549 Russell Road Unit 11B, Westfield, MA 01085. George Robert Mulry, same. Organized and operated to offer competitive volleyball team play for all youth age groups and skill levels.

By
Departments

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock announced that Darcy Rogers has joined the resort’s conference sales team as Sales Manager. In her new position, Rogers will be responsible for soliciting new business, managing existing accounts, and working with other departments at the resort to offer high-quality conference and meeting services to clients. She works with clients in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with a particular emphasis on the Albany area.

•••••

Fuss & O’Neill, an engineering firm with offices in Springfield and several other locations, announced the following changes in senior management:
• Jeffrey Heidtman has been elected CEO and Chairman of the Board, and is stepping down as President;
• Peter Grose, PE will be assuming the duties of President. He is a 30-year Fuss & O’Neill employee who has directed some of the firm’s largest design and construction services programs;
• Michael Curtis, PhD, PE has been promoted to the newly created position of Director of Strategic Initiatives; and
• James Parry, PE has been promoted to Director of Business Development and Marketing.

•••••

TSM Design in Springfield announced the following:
• Janet Bennet has joined the firm as an Account Executive. She will develop clients’ marketing communications strategies as well as manage day-to-day account activity; and
•Michael Sjostedt has joined the firm as a Copywriter. He will be responsible for generating copy for clients’ communications.

•••••

Andrea Comstock-Tague has joined the staff of United Bank as a Human Resources Officer. In her new position, she will be responsible for the daily management of the bank’s human-resources functions, with an emphasis on training and development.

•••••

J.M. O’Brien & Co., P.B., with offices in Springfield and Easthampton, announced the following:
• Ryan Sabin has joined the firm; and
• Natalya Zubenko has joined the firm.

•••••

Karen King of the Karen King Group, Re/Max Prestige Realty in Wilbraham, has been accepted into the Allen Hainge CyberStars group, an invitation-only group of 200 top real-estate agents from the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the Bahamas. King is the only representative selected from Western Mass.

•••••

Elizabeth Howell has joined the All About Women Midwifery practice as a certified Nurse Midwife with the Baystate Ob-Gyn Group.

•••••

Anthony J. Worden recently joined Greenfield Co-operative Bank as Vice President for Commercial Lending.

•••••

Deborah Duncan, Senior Program Manager for the Day Treatment Program at Behavioral Health Network in Springfield, was recently awarded the Moe Armstrong Award for adult peer leadership for her contribution to strengthening the role of consumers in the mental-health and substance-abuse treatment systems by the Assoc. for Behavioral Healthcare.

•••••

Tighe & Bond of Westfield announced the following:
• Elizabeth G. Baldwin has been promoted to Project Manager. Her experience lies in water resources and wastewater projects;
• Marc J. Richards, a professional Engineer and licensed site professional specializing in environmental assessment and remediation projects, has been promoted; and
• Antonio J. daCruz, with more than 16 years of experience in civil and environmental engineering, has been promoted.

•••••

James Haughey of the Behavioral Health Network in Springfield has been recognized with the Innovation Practice Award by the Assoc. for Behavioral Healthcare.

•••••

The Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau has appointed seven new officers and members to its Board of Directors. They are:
• John Doleva, of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, to serve as Vice Chairman;
• Anthony Frasco of the Williams Distributing Corp.;
• Joanne Gadoury of the MassMutual Financial Group;
• Michael Jonnes of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra;
• Bruce Lessels of Zoar Outdoor;
• Anthony Maroulis of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce; and
• Remo Pizzichemi of the Hampton Inn in West Springfield.
Officers nominated to serve a two-year term include:
• Michael Hurwitz of the American Restaurant Corp., to serve as Vice Chairman; and
• Kathleen Anderson of the Holyoke Office of Planning and Development, to serve as Treasurer.
Continuing as officers with terms expiring in 2010 are:
• Greg Chiecko of the Eastern States Exposition to serve as Chairman; and
• Robert Schwarz of Peter Pan Bus Lines as Secretary.
Members of the board nominated to serve an additional two-year term include:
• Bill Hess of the Springfield Marriott;
• John Hesslein of CBS-3;
• Matt Hollander of the MassMutual Center;
• Shardool Parmar of the Pioneer Valley Hotel Group; and
• Rod Warnick of the Hospitality Tourism Management Department at UMass Amherst.
Other board members include:
• Joseph Carvalho of the Springfield Museums Assoc.;
• Carolyn Edwards of Prime Outlets;
• Debra Flynn of Eastside Grill;
• Robert Gilbert of Dowd Insurance;
• Stuart Hurwitz of Rein’s Deli;
• Harlan Kent of Yankee Candle Co.;
• Larry Litton of Six Flags New England;
• Bruce Nable of SER Expo Services;
• Christina Pappas of Open the Door Communications;
• William Rogolski of the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside;
• Peter Rosskothen of The Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House and The Delaney House; and
• Daniel Walsh of the Columbus Hotel Group.

•••••

SS&C SummerWind Performing Arts Center announced the appointment of insurance executive Michael D. Rabbett to chair its Development Committee. Rabbett is owner of Rabbett Insurance in Windsor, Conn., recipient of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce 2008 Business of the Year Award, and a member of the Professional Insurance Agents and Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut.

•••••

Kate Putnam, president of Package Machinery Co. Inc. in West Springfield, has been named a Top Woman Entrepreneur for 2009 by Work Life Matters magazine. She will be honored at a breakfast on Dec. 14 at Club 101 in New York City. Package Machinery Co. is a manufacturer of wrapping machinery for consumer products. Putnam has been president since the company’s inception in 1996.

•••••

Bacon Wilson, P.C. of Springfield announced that the following lawyers were named “New England SuperLawyers” in the November issue of Boston magazine:
• Paul R. Salvage, Co-Chairman of the Insolvency Department;
• Gary L. Fialky, Chairman of the Corporate Department;
• Michael B. Katz, Co-Chairman of the Bankruptcy Department;
• Paul H. Rothschild, Chairman of the Litigation Department;
• Stephen N. Krevalin, Managing Partner;
• Hyman G. Darling, Chairman of the Estate Planning and Elder Law Departments;
• Francis R. Mirkin; and
• Stephen B. Monsein.
Also, in the same issue, the following Bacon Wilson lawyers were named “Rising Stars”:
• Justin H. Dion;
• Adam J. Basch;
• Todd C. Ratner;
• Mark A. Tanner; and
• Kevin V. Maltby.

By
Departments

Legislative Reception

The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield staged their annual Legislative Reception on Nov. 19 at the Carriage House at Storrowton Tavern. Hundreds of area business leaders networked with local and state elected leaders. Clockwise, from right: Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno talks with West Springfield Mayor Edward Gibson, while in the background is Evan Plotkin, president of NAI Samuel D. Plotkin & Associates; Rodney Scott of Sovereign Bank and chair of the ACCGS Legislative Steering Committee shares the ACCGS legislative agenda with attendees; Amy Rist, left, project coordinator at Baystate Health, chats with Rexene Picard, director of FutureWorks, a one-stop career center in Springfield.

Pynchon Dinner

The Advertising Club of Western Mass. staged its annual Pynchon Awards Dinner on Nov. 19, recognizing individuals who have given back to the community. Above are the three winners for 2009, from left, Marie Stebbins, Gary Fialky, and Susan Jaye-Kaplan. At right, guests network prior to the dinner.

Having a Ball

More than 450 people turned out at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House recently for the annual Noble Ball. The event raised more than $125,000 to benefit the hospital’s Emergency Department renovation project. Clockwise from below right: Dr. Craig Schacher, an emergency room physician at Noble, with his mother, Diana; from left, Barbara and Joe Trant, and Lisa McMahon, executive director of the Westfield Business Improvement District, share a moment; Al Ferst (seated), a philanthropist and loyal friend of the hospital, chats with Noble’s interim President and CEO, Robert Perry, and his wife, Karen; event chairs Dena and Eric Hall (on right end) take a break and pose for pictures with Dena’s parents, Frank and Margaret Petrangelo, and sister, Danielle Petrangelo.

OPINION

By
Opinion
Keep the Engine of Small Business Humming

In 1982 as an MBA student at The Ohio State University, I read Dr. Michael Porter’s book Competitive Strategies. Fast-forward to the mid-1990s when I attended Porter’s presentation in Springfield about the importance of businesses locating in the urban core. My then-business partner and I took the bait. Within a year, TSM Design was located in the heart of downtown on Bridge Street, where we remain today.

Recently I received an e-mail from Porter’s brainchild, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City. The ICIC’s mission is “to promote economic prosperity in America’s inner cities through private-sector engagement that leads to jobs, income, and wealth creation for local residents.” Given my long history with Porter, I decided to attend the ICIC summit in Washington, D.C. titled “Growing Businesses in the Inner City: Building Capacity and Creating Impact.”

Featured at the two-day event was Porter’s presentation of 10 years of data collected among 600 successful urban enterprises. He focused on the following factors influencing the growth of inner-city firms: financing, the inner-city business environment, company revenue sources, and leadership and human capital.

Some of Porter’s findings are as you might expect. Inner-city firms generally use personal assets for startup funds and bank loans for growth. The vast majority (76%) indicate limited access to growth capital. Yet these financing statistics yield an interestingly low failure rate among the studied inner-city businesses.

Among the sectors represented, 3% of distributors, 3% of manufacturers, and 4% of service businesses have closed their doors during the 10-year study. None of the retailers have gone out of business.

Included in the summit were presentations from Karen Mills, the administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, speaking about national policy and the Obama administration’s commitment to growing the small business sector, and Rob Walsh, commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services, who spoke in detail about best practices of a business-friendly city government.

Of particular interest to me was a panel discussion on how large companies use their procurement dollars to grow the inner-city economy, and a case study involving New England Blue Cross Blue Shield and one its small local vendors. BCBS and the vendor split the cost of hiring NextStreet Financial to mentor and grow the vendor into a more robust supplier. The vendor happens to be a communications firm specializing in diverse audiences. The net result is a vendor with increased capacity with more opportunities — both within BCBS as well as other companies.

All in all, this summit was personally affirming to me as a small-business owner in Springfield. Intuitively I’ve known we made the right decision 14 years ago to move the business out of the suburbs and into the center of the city. There are some discernable fringe benefits. For one, a downtown address has considerably more gravitas than a suburban one. Visibility is another factor. I can walk down the street and see dozens of current or potential clients and colleagues. Also, most of my civic involvements are within walking distance from my office. Lunchtime also yields far more interesting menu options.

The conference raised the bar for my expectations of the opportunities for my business and those of my peers. My eyes were opened to what other cities are doing to increase opportunities for small businesses. Even more importantly, I now know there are large corporations that both walk the walk as well as talk the economic-development talk. They make a point of doing business with local small businesses.

One eye-opening fact presented during the conference: 70% of all U.S. workers either work for or own a small business. The SBA definition of a small business is fewer than 500 employees. In Springfield, there are only 35 employers with more than 500 employees. So the thousands of businesses that comprise this city’s economy are small, like mine. If Springfield is going to regain its economic health, it’s time we develop a comprehensive strategy to keep this dynamic little engine going.

Nancy Urbchat is owner of Springfield-based TSM Design; (413) 731-7600.

By
Departments

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

Adams, Shane M.
Adams, Theresa
11 Main Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/04/09

Agin, Tammy Lynn
18 Ellen St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/14/09

Anderson, Gregory
a/k/a Branch, India L.
Anderson, India L.
29 Waldorf St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/07/09

Armstrong, Roxell
a/k/a Geoffrion, Roxell M.
10 Central Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/05/09

Arsenault, David
17 Carpenter St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/15/09

Audio Video Design
HBS Stereo
Loveless, John K.
140 Dalton Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/18/09

Avalone, James M.
Avalone, Elizabeth
471 North Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Baker, Todd M.
82 Barton Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/04/09

Barnes, Sheldon Orlando
151 Allen St., Apt. F
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Barrett, Debbie L.
116 Sandrah Dr.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 09/23/09

Barrus, James A.
Barrus, Belinda J.
29 Pioneer Way
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Befford, Susan S.
1743 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/22/09

Bennett, Frank E.
Bennett, Lynn A.
599 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 09/23/09

Bennett, Mark
Poole, Angela Denise
109 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/02/09

Biddle, Rita M.
645 Warren Wright Road
P.O. Box 1008
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Bisceglia, Christopher
Bisceglia, Heather M.
a/k/a Monahan, Heather
88 Burrill Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Bledsoe, Dina L.
19 Home St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Bleu, Jeffrey R.
64 Notch Road
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/29/09

Bob’s Carpentry
Gonzalez-Pho, Thao P.
Gonzalez, Robert
143 Little Mohawk Road
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/24/09

Bolibok, Barbara
20 Hampton Ave., Apt. # 507
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/15/09

Bonacker, Erin L.
254 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028-1310
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/15/09

Boudreau, David A.
418 Meadow St., D7
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/29/09

Boudreau, William L.
189 Glendale Ave.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/18/09

Brault, Alan D.
87 Lafayette St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Broman, James E.
1368 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 09/16/09

Burns, Joseph Robert
Burns, Carol Ann
a/k/a Wheeler-Burns, Carol
PO Box 786
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/09/09

Burt, John Henry
98 North St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/05/09

Button, Michael J.
Button, Lisa M.
10 Old South Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Carrasquillo, Carmen
134 Peer St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/29/09

Carrigan, William A.
89 Robbins Ave., Apt. #1
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/16/09

Castagna, James
176 Columbus Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Chambers, Karlene
25 Fairhaven Dr.
Springfield, MA 01151
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/13/09

Charron, Christine Anne
9 Granby Heights
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/21/09

Chase, Clifton R.
Chase, Linda L.
519 East River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Chase, Clifton R.
Chase, Linda L.
519 East River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Cheria, Manuel F.
Cheria, Donna M.
12 Rood St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/01/09

Chesanek, Michael A.
217 Meadow St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/21/09

Chouinard, Bruce R.
Chouinard, Cynthia A.
1885 Main St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Ciampi, David Francis
33 Cherryvale Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/01/09

Clement, Kevin J.
511 East River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Cockshaw, David A.
Cockshaw, Kimberly A.
201 River St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Coe, Janet Rose
119 White Oak Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Coffey, Charles Edward
Demeo, Sharron Marie
804 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/25/09

Colon, Roberto
Colon, Carmen M.
13 Algonquin Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/22/09

Cooper, Jacqueline
549 Watson Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/15/09

Costa, Francisco J.
36 Ridgehill Ave.
Malden, MA 02148
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Coushaine, Mary Elizabeth
a/k/a Lesiege, Mary E.
79 Bardwell St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/08/09

Cousineau, Jared J.
Cousineau, Maggie B.
a/k/a Egan, Maggie B.
9 Landers St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Coutu, William J.
Coutu, Christine A.
4 Norman St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Creamer, Guillermo David
1 Ladd Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/21/09

Croteau, Laurie L.
a/k/a Albee, Laurie L.
268 Federal St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/24/09

D’Amore, Darcy D.
2322 Greenwich Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/14/09

D’Angelo, Frank J.
117 Corey Colonial
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/22/09

Davis, Paul E.
282 Bolton St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/07/09

Dawson, Martin H.
68 New Boston Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/25/09

Delgado, Mary
7 Eastern Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/15/09

Demott, Michael O.
65 Narragansett Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/01/09

Desjeans, Francis L.
Desjeans, Elaine R.
53 Gladdu Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/08/09

Desroches, Dorothy M.
11 Grouse Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/08/09

Diaz, Jose
Emerson, Rebecca L.
3 Collins St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/25/09

Dickson, Len H.
Dickson, Jodie A.
182 Pleasant St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Dimatteo, Amedeo
P.O. Box 419
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/15/09

Driscoll, Timothy J.
22 Scott Hollow Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/15/09

DuBoff, Christy T.
7 Dubois St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Dudek, Agnieszka E.
35-37 Devens St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 09/29/09

Durant, John
Durant, Sherri
3321 Pinenook Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/04/09

Dziedzic, Agnieszka A.
a/k/a Nowak, Agnieszka A.
590 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Early, Jane M.
a/k/a Bassler, Jayn M.
124 South St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/09/09

Evangelisto, Thomas
Evangelisto, Sabrina
220 Karen Dr.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/24/09

Farber, Amy E.
36C Amherst Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/17/09

Faria, Rui D.
c/o Cidalia Vital
971 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/13/09

Fiorentino, Rita L.
71 Westminster St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/21/09

Fleury, Mary Elizabeth
70 Dogwood Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/27/09

Frazer, Dawn
18 Drew Ct.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/21/09

Gagnon, Susan Marie
a/k/a Drinkwine, Susan Marie
5 Riverview Ter., 2nd
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Gama, Denise G.
a/k/a Bickel, Denise G.
96 Glenwood St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Gay, Gloria
55 Celebration Cir.
Chicopee, MA 01020-2870
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Getty, Raymond Douglas
265 New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/02/09

Godfrey, Bernard E.
66 Plymouth St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/19/09

Godfrey, Catharine A.
72 Plymouth St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/19/09

Goodwin’s Home Repair
Goodwin, Steven J.
Goodwin, Sandra L.
44 Ridge Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/15/09

Gosselin, Wendy Marie
76 Wilmont St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/09/09

Graham, Monica Y.
292 Centre St. #1R
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/22/09

Greene, Steven L.
155 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028-2722
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Gryszkiewicz, James
53 Woodmont St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/29/09

Guerette, Sharon Ann
93 Highland Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Gutowski, Mark E.
480 Dipping Hole Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Haire, Lee Allen
Haire, Elizabeth Ann
5 Berard Circle
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Halpin, David P.
2 Stone Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/24/09

Hannum, Gregg H.
Hannum, Karen L.
a/k/a Rosenberg, Karen L.
549 Russell Road, Apt. 1B
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 09/27/09

Hardaker, Donald L.
13 Apache Dr.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/12/09

Harpin, Pamela J.
56 Juniper Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119-2109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/15/09

Hawkins, Carol A.
12 Creamery Road
Gilbertville, MA 01031
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/24/09

Heady, Ryan W.
81 Laurence Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/05/09

Helgoe, Calvin L.
131A Colonial Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/07/09

Hornsby, Monique A.L.
Brumfield, Monique A.
69 State St. Ter.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/15/09

Jackson, Eileen L.
406 River St. #1
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Jacques, Donald J.
1343 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/24/09

Jenkins, Janice M.
72 Curve St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/09/09

Jensen, Dale M.
223 Dayton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/05/09

Jesionowski, Henry E.
75 Christopher Lane
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/09/09

Johansson, Glenn E.
242 Church St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/23/09

Johns, Eric C.
285 State St., Apt. 2
Ludlow, MA 01056-3430
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Jones, John Thomas
85 Boylston St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/15/09

Jones, Matthew Steven
20 Woronoco Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/18/09

Jordan, Dolores A.
36 Devens St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/08/09

Kaigle, Kenneth H.
Kaigle, Chrystal H.
2 Kerr Ave.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/25/09

Karwowski, John M.
Karwowski, Jamie
123 Mountain View St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/29/09

Keane, Stephen T.
59 New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/09/09

Kidrick, Kristen M.
1488 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/16/09

Kilgarvan Communications
Sullivan, John Jeremiah
Sullivan, Nancy Elizabeth
270 Morgan St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/17/09


 

King, Bruce L.
King, Sharlene L.
15 Glendale St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/16/09

Kingsbury, James R.
7 Sefton Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077-9746
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Knight, Richard Charles
P.O. Box 114
Pittsfield, MA 01202
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/17/09

Krzanowski, Kathryn M.
a/k/a Laurin, Kathryn M.
393 Stebbins St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Labonte, Edward L.
1139 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Labonte, Jason David
Labonte, Amy Lynn
9 Clairmont Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/05/09

LaPete, Anthony M.
LaPete, Amanda L.
4 Barnes St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/12/09

Levin, Laura M.
8 Fred Ruel Road
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/19/09

Lewis, Gassawallice
Lewis, Marsha J.
1495 West Royalston Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/29/09

Lillis, Michael J.
13 Harrington Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/07/09

Lowney, Erik R.
108 Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/02/09

Lynn, Sarah J.
Lynn, Dennis M.
51 Cromwell Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 09/18/09

Major, Robert S.
Major, Susan E.
4 Memory Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/05/09

Malave, Herminia
15 Arion Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/23/09

Maleckas Therapeutic Massage
Maleckas, Sheila C.
24 Maple Crest Circle
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/23/09

Maloney, Colin J.
13 Fairdel St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/22/09

Marrero, Felix L.
42 Brookline Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/05/09

Martin, Ann M.
1 Church St.
Colrain, MA 01340
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/04/09

Martinez, Hector L.
Martinez, Denise A.
18 Ringgold St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/17/09

Mattioli, Christopher D.
Mattioli, Barbara A.
47 Breakneck Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Mawdsley, Richard James
Mawdsley, Cheryl Marie
98 Mashapaug Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/14/09

McAlary, David C.
31 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Mercier, Kristopher Bruce
Mercier, Jessica Jean
a/k/a Popec, Jessica Jean
1 Gr
en Willow Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/15/09

Merrill Auto Imports
Merrill, Douglas Brian
Merrill, Lisa Joy
a/k/a Mercure, Lisa J.
25 Collegeview Heights
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/01/09

Meyrick, Steven J.
Meyrick, Lisa A.
26 Thompson St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/09/09

Michon, Cynthia L.
699 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/14/09

Miller, Clarence L.
Miller, Patricia A.
135 Methuen St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/25/09

Miller, William F.
Miller, Shirley L.
150 Pondview Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Moore, David N.
272 Osborne Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/22/09

Morehardt, Bruce Clark
29 Dartmouth Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/08/09

Morris, Catherine Elaine
Morris, John Stanton
51 Van Deene Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/02/09

Mrozinski, Joann M.
119 Oakridge St
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/05/09

Murphy, Thomas M.
134 College Highway, Apt. C4
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/01/09

Murray, John Michael
143 Robinson Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/29/09

Newton, John G.
Newton, Cheryl L.
1470 White Pond Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/25/09

Nicoli, Mark A.
PO Box 633
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Nixon, Eric D.
P.O. Box 143
Leeds, MA 01053
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/01/09

Normandin, Tammy L.
88 Springfield St.
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

O’Connor, Nekeisha N.
52 Pearl St., Apt. #4-B
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/16/09

Oliver, Noman
Cruz, Maria
377 St. James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/16/09

Ortiz, Augusto
121 Roberto Clemente St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/25/09

Paniagua, Lara
a/k/a Paniagua-Dix, Lara
163 Lamont St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Parker, David R.
Parker, Debra L.
17 Jennings St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Persip, Valerie J.
161 Jason St., Apt. 4
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/14/09

Petrizzi-Geller, Lisa M.
11 Parsons Walk
Berkley, MA 02779
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Pittsinger, Lorrie E.
158 Bumstead Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/05/09

Pizarro, Zurma
491 Bridge St., Apt. 433
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Pleppo, Carol L.
82-84 Davis St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/13/09

Prader, Gina C.
17 Moulton Road
Southborough, MA 01772
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/15/09

Prendergast, Jacqueline
10 Valley St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Presley, Stevan R.
Jette Presley, Donna M.
P.O. Box 1148
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/16/09

Princess Gift Shop
Rodriguez, Wilfredo
PO Box 6538
Holyoke, MA 01041
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/22/09

Quick, Paulette
20 Hampton Court, #214
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/05/09

Qureshi, Irfan
243 Brookfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/13/09

Radomski, Michael W.
Radomski, Lou Ann
P.O. Box 123
Chicopee, MA 01014
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/29/09

Raymond, Mark J.
Raymond, Tina M.
PO Box 944
Bernardston, MA 01337
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/19/09

Rheaume, Allan Alfred
Rheaume, Delores Ada
17 Mitchell Dr., Unit R10
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/22/09

Ricardo, Paulo L.
Ricardo, Anabela M.
16 Riverpark Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Rittenoure, Catherine C.
a/k/a Marhefka, Catherine C.
243 State St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Rivet, Richard A.
209 Prospect St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/01/09

Rodriguez, Angel L.
30 Thornton St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/21/09

Rodriguez, Maria Magdalena
a/k/a Oquendo, Maria Magdalena
193 Walnut St., Apt. 2
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/22/09

Rodriguez, Ramona
33 Cabinet St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/21/09

Rosario, Delio L.
83 Jackson St., Apt 1R
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/24/09

Ross, Florence E.
101 Hancock St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/09/09

Rossi, Alfred M.
Rossi, Debra A.
477 Kings Highway
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/24/09

Rubin, Tina Sheryl
80 King Philip Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/14/09

Rzewski, Marc Theodore
42 Truby St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/25/09

S&S Laundry
Boulette, Scott C.
Boulette, Holly A.
a/k/a Streeter, Holly A.
91 Church St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/12/09

Salerno, Philip T.
P.O. Box 1215
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 09/18/09

Salzman, Julianne S.
41 Orchard St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/02/09

Santerre, Jennifer Marie
a/k/a Clark, Jennifer M.
31 Maple St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/16/09

Santos, Edwin
21 Wachusetts St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Scyocurka, Anne L.
113 Ely Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Shar, Mark J.
P.O. Box 4494
Holyoke, MA 01041
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Social Marketing Evolution
Merz, Sabine Nicole
15 Glendale Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/29/09

Stacy, Janice Lee
184 Wellington St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/29/09

Stone, Carla M.
11 Russell Stage Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Strom, Nathan E.
Strom, Pamela I.
a/k/a Fowler, Pamela I.
3 Maple St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/14/09

Sullivan, Barbara J.
101 Putnam St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Sweeney, Barbara L.
17 Glenwood Ave., Box A2
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Szczur, Charles S.
21 Fanjoy Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/07/09

Tagle, Edward J.
Tagle, Jessica C.
10 Mellinger Lane
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Tenczar, Brian A.
49 Spring Road
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Tessier, Kathreen M.
41 West Summit St., #63
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Tetreault, Jane M.
113 Fenton Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/15/09

Textiles By Garth J.
Shepp, Garth J.
PO Box 2222
Amherst, MA 01004
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/25/09

Thayer, Justin C.
43 Magnolia Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Thompson, Adam G.
21 River Road #3
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/24/09

Thompson, John K.
Thompson, Tina M.
6 Summer Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/09/09

Tracy, Kevin Robert
146 Laurel St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/15/09

Turner, Ashley
43 Plunkett St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/18/09

Tuthill, Raymond W.
Tuthill, Katherine P.
4 Mercy Anderson Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Vandervoort, Audrey S.
45 Stockbridge Road
Box 225
West Stockbridge, MA 01266
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/23/09

Vargas, Emely
105 School St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Vazquez, Maria A.
195 Suffolk St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/16/09

Vincente, Gloria M.
81 Conz St., Apt. 327
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/06/09

Watras, Jane Alice
370 Southwick Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Wayne, Derek Henry
61 Calley St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/02/09

Weaver, Jennifer L.
56 Maple St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Weinstein, Randy F.
684 Main St.
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/28/09

Weissman, Stuart D.
Tobin, Jocelyn D.
38 Pineywoods Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/29/09

Whaley, Leslie H.
52 Lombard Ave.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/22/09

White, Shamis Ann
a/k/a Ferriter, Shamis Ann
399 Springdale Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Williamson, James J.
Williamson, Lauralee G.
a/k/a Sousa, Lauralee G.
27 Newhall St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/18/09

Wine Styles
DeJesus, Paulita
a/k/a DeJesus-Aponte, Paulita
12231 Bay Dr.
Westford, MA 01886
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/30/09

Yanni, Philip J.
Yanni, Kathleen M.
12 Alden St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/17/09

Zachery, Kathy A.
a/k/a Griffith, Kathy A.
20 Schuyler St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/12/09

Zolendziewski, David Thomas
Zolendziewski, Linda S.
42 Catalina Dr.
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/22/09

Zwinski, Theodore J.
Zwinski, Kimberlee A.
a/k/a Venne, Kimberlee A.
153 Cedar St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 09/16/09

By
Departments

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

AGAWAM

V&F Realty Partnership
443 Springfield St.
$3,000 — Install metal roof

CHICOPEE

Padgette St., LLC and S.M.A. Frank, LLC
150 Padgette St.
$655,000 — Tenant fit-out of 8,000 square feet

Padgette St., LLC and S.M.A. Frank, LLC
150 Padgette St.
$150,000 — Construct office and warehouse space

GREENFIELD

Great APT, LLC
24 Franklin St.
$171,000 — Replacement windows

Peter & Sandra Ruggeri
51 High St.
$5,000 — Exterior renovations

Michael Mendyk
136 Conway St.
$10,000 — Interior renovations

Western Mass Electric Company
215 Shelburne Road
$17,000 — Interior renovations

HADLEY

Bed Bath & Beyond
337-357 Russell St.
$974,000 — Interior renovation and new store front

Edens & Avant
454-460 Russell St.
$150,000 — Remodel interior spaces to include fitting rooms and customer service

HOLYOKE

City Cooperative Bank
1830 Northampton St.
$28,000 — Repair & paint damaged exterior

H.I.F., LLC
206 Maple St.
$3,169,000 — Renovation of the former fire station to a new bus station

PBHQ
330 Whitney Ave.
$453,000 — Construction of new IT department and mailroom

NORTHAMPTON

City of Northampton
42 Gothic St.
$86,000 — Installation of photovoltaic systems on roof

Bowles Enterprises, LLC
15 Fruit St.
$10,500 — Install siding and replacement windows

Dunkin Brands Inc.
132 King St.
$92,000 — Interior renovations

  

Kollmorgen Electro Optical
50 Prince St.
$16,000,000 — Construct new two-story commercial building

Messer Investments Inc.
39 Carlon Dr.
$165,000 — Create new medical offices

Meadowbrook Preservation Associates
491 Bridge Road
$16,000 — Sheetrock and insulate building

Pride Convenience Inc.
375 King St.
$44,000 — Interior renovations at Dunkin Donuts

St. John’s Episcopal Church
48 Elm St.
$22,500 — Renovate bathroom

SOUTH HADLEY

Mt. Holyoke College
27 Abbey Lane
$6,000 — Interior renovations

South Hadley Housing
69 Lathrop St.
$153,000 — New roof

SPRINGFIELD

America Lung Association
393 Maple St.
$6,000 — Interior renovations

Antonio Palazzesi
100 Verge St.
$30,000 — Interior renovations

United Baptist Church
649 State St.
$84,000 — New roof

Wachogue Community Church
136 Whittum Ave.
$42,000 — Re-roof

WESTFIELD

Lewis Gonet
110 Airport Road
$40,000 — Construction of a hangar

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Christy Real Estate
339 Bliss St.
$31,000 – Strip and re-roof

General Electric
1226 Union St.
$19,500 – Roof repair

By
Departments

Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
(413) 787-1555
www.myonlinechamber.com

Dec. 2: ACCGS Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., hosted by Sheraton Springfield. Speaker panel: James Morton, YMCA of Greater Springfield; Dora Robinson, United Way of Pioneer Valley; Garrett McCarthy, Springfield Boys & Girls Club; and Mary Reardon Johnson, YWCA of Western Mass. Tickets: $30 general admission, $20 members.

Dec. 9: ACCGS After 5/WRC, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by the Lexington Group, 380 Union St., West Springfield. Tickets: $20 general admission, $10 members.
Dec. 11: East of the River 5 Town Chamber Holiday Breakfast, 7 to 9 a.m., hosted by  Elmcrest Country Club, East Longmeadow. Speaker: Dr. John Glick, the Humor Doctor. Tickets: $25 general admission, $20 members.

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com

Dec. 2: Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., location TBA, sponsored by Stavros. Program: Hot Holiday Trends. 

Dec. 4: Merry Maple Celebration of Lights,  4:15 to 6:30 p.m.,  Amherst Town Hall and Amherst Town Common. 

Dec. 16: After 5/Holiday Party, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted and sponsored by PeoplesBank, Amherst.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
(413) 594-2101
www.chicopeechamber.org

Please see Web site for upcoming events.

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
(413) 773-5463
www.franklincc.org

Dec. 22: Holiday Breakfast, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Recorder Citizen of the Year Award, Deerfield Academy. Music, gifts, and great food. Tickets: members $23, non-members $25.

Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
(413) 527-9414
www.easthamptonchamber.org

Dec. 4: Holiday Stroll and Visit from Santa, 7 p.m., Maple Street School. Stroll and carol through downtown Easthamp-ton to Pulaski Park and help Santa light the green with thousands of twinkling lights. Visit with Santa in the gazebo. Cocoa and cookies for the kids. No cost.

Dec. 17: Holiday Dinner Dance, 6 to 11 p.m., hosted by Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, Holyoke. An evening of friends and holiday spirit, including the chamber’s annual awards. Big raffle with $5,000 drawing, butlered hors d’oeuvres, multi-station entrees, Viennese dessert table, cash martini and full-service bar, music provided by Michael J Productions. Public invited. Excellent business party opportunity. Group reservations available. Tickets: $45 inclusive.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
(413) 534-3376
www.holycham.com

Dec. 9: Holiday Salute Breakfast, doors open at 7:30 a.m., hosted by the Delaney House, Holyoke. Tickets: $20.

Dec. 16: Chamber Holiday After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by the Delaney House, Holyoke. Tickets: $5 members, $10 cash non-members.

Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
(413) 584-1900
www.explorenorthampton.com

Dec. 1: Mass Privacy Law Seminar, 8 to 9:30 a.m., Clarion Hotel & Conference Center. Tickets: $15 for members. RSVP at [email protected].

Dec. 2: Arrive@5, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by Spare Time Family Fun Center. Tickets: $10 members, $15 guests.

Dec. 9: Northampton Area Young Professionals Party with a Purpose, 5 to 8 p.m., hosted by Silverscape Designs. Free for members, $5 for guests.

Dec. 11: New Member Breakfast, 8 to 9:30 a.m., hosted by the chamber. Free for members.

Dec. 15: Meet & Eat, 7:30 to 9 a.m., hosted by the Delaney House, Holyoke. Sponsored by Easthampton Savings Bank. Tickets: $15 members, $20 guests.

Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
(413) 283-2418
www.qvcc.biz

Please see Web site for upcoming events.

South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
(413) 532-6451
www.shchamber.com

Please see Web site for upcoming events.

Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
(413) 283-6425
www.threeriverschamber.org

Please see Web site for upcoming events.

Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
(413) 568-1618
www.westfieldbiz.org

Dec. 11: Annual Holiday Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., hosted by Shaker Farms Country Club, Westfield. Santa will appear, and the Westfield High School Concert Chorale, under the direction of Kory Bruno, will provide musical entertainment. Premier members: Westfield Gas and Electric, Westfield Bank, and Easthampton Savings Bank. Tickets: $20 members, $25 non-members. Deadline for Reservations is December 8. All reservations after this date will be billed at $25 per person. To register, call Marcia at (413) 568-1618, e-mail [email protected] , or log onto www.westfieldbiz.org . Please bring an unwrapped toy for the Salvation Army, and also bring a door prize to highlight your business.

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com

Dec. 9: For December, we will not hold a Third Thursday, but instead will join the ACCGS After 5 on Dec. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lexington Group, 380 Union St., West Springfield. In the spirit of the holiday season, we encourage everyone to bring a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to the children of the Children’s Study Home. For non-members, a toy will be accepted in lieu of the $5 entrance fee.

Dec. 19: Ring the Red Kettles, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in front of Macy’s inside the Eastfield Mall. We ask that you donate two hours of your time for this worthy cause. If interested, e-mail Maureen Pick-nally at [email protected] .

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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.

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Adams Direct Mail Services v. International Profit Associates
Allegation: Fraudulent practices on small business: $4,640
Filed: 10/22/09

Leader Home Center Inc. v. A.D. George Construction Co.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods and services rendered: $28,417.66
Filed: 10/21/09

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Holyoke Mall, LP v. Sadie’s, LLC
Allegation: Default under a written lease: $1,472,485.67
Filed: 10/2/09

Michelle Boutin v. Hess Corporation
Allegation: Employee discrimination: $25,000+
Filed: 9/17/09

Roman Radkovets v. Balise Motor Sales Co.
Allegation: Breach of employment contract and non-payment of commissions: $39,626.10
Filed: 10/6/09

Susan Cole v. Geriatric Authority of Holyoke
Allegation: Employee discrimination: $25,000+
Filed: 9/17/09

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Commerce Insurance Co., as subrogee of Paul M. Struthers v. Cernak Fuel Corp. and Richards Fuel Inc.
Allegation: Negligence causing damage: $392,011.34
Filed: 10/2/09

Leaklena Som v. Millitech Inc.
Allegation: Employment discrimination: $25,000+
Filed: 9/15/09

PMC Contracting v. CAP Development Inc. & Trak Petroleum, LLC
Allegation: Failure to pay under the terms of a construction agreement: $8,603.48
Filed: 9/29/09

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT

City of Holyoke v. Western Mass Blitzin Bears Inc.
Allegation: Failure to pay for use of Roberts Sports Complex: $2,190
Filed: 9/28/09

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

One Communications Corp. v. Atalasoft Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of services rendered: $7,843.23
Filed: 10/15/09

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

Elizabeth Matthieson & Robert Vandernoot v. Sequoia Properties, LLC
Allegation: Violation of purchase-and-sale agreement and refusal to return deposit: $24,450
Filed: 9/29/09

Yellowbook Sales & Distribution Company Inc. v. BSF Construction
Allegation: Non-payment of advertising services rendered: $11,353
Filed: 8/21/09

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Bank of America v. JGC Specials
Allegation: Non-payment of monies loaned: $25,886.93
Filed: 10/7/09

Francis Teta v. Bell-Carter Olive Co.
Allegation: Defective product, causing injury: $22,438
Filed: 10/8/09

Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. JCE Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of workers’ compensation policies: $16,793.19
Filed: 10/8/09

Regina Haines v. Northern Educational Services Inc.
Allegation: Negligent maintenance of property, causing injury: $19,383.47
Filed: 10/8/09

Rosanna Langlois v. Educlean
Allegation: Negligence in cleaning services, causing a slip and fall: $7,350
Filed: 10/2/09

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Departments

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

EASTHAMPTON

Kaya Now Inc., 57 Ward Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027. Susan Zahorak, same. eCommerce.

HOLYOKE

Andrew Gagnon Construction Co. Inc., 236 Southampton Road, Holyoke, MA 01040. Andrew M. Gagnon, same. Remodeling contractor for residential and commercial buildings.

INDIAN ORCHARD

Strength N Honor Inc., 34 Ashwood St., Indian Orchard, MA 01151. Gerald S. Seaback, same. eCommerce activities.

LONGMEADOW

Dovetail Training Corporation, 53 Pendleton Lane, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Edward Borowsky, same. Corporate training.

Godin’s Garden Inc., 54 Nevins Ave., Longmeadow, MA 01106. William Godin, same. To operate a tree and plant nursery.

LHC Restaurant Corp. 923 Shaker Road, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Michael Chen, 80 Lynnwood Dr., Longmeadow, MA 01106. To own and operate food-service businesses

SOUTHAMPTON

Deniliva Inc., 10 David St., Southampton, MA 01073. Steven Kowalski, same. Tax- preparation service.

  

SOUTHWICK

Joanie’s Inc., 134 Point Grove Road, Southwick, MA 01077. Jennifer Nolasco, 52 Wendover Road, Suffield, CT 06078. Bar and restaurant.

SPRINGFIELD

Hampden VHP Repair Inc., 25 Virginia Street, Suite 1, Springfield, MA 01108. Vu H. Phan, 111 Brunswick St. Springfield, MA 01108. Repair sewing and appliance machinery.

Marinesi Inc., 16 Sachem Street, Springfield, MA 01108. Filippo Marinesi, Same. Restaurant/Bar.

Pioneer Data Service Corporation, 50 Washington Street, Springfield, MA 01108. Bao N. Tong, 21 Laurel Ave., Westfield, MA 01085 Program and repair computer networks and services.

We Are The People Inc., 1191 Tinkham Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Jamal Rob Chickakly, same. This is a charitable corporation that will be defending human and civil rights secured by law.

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Departments

United Personnel employee Jim Kervick was awarded the Massachusetts Staffing Assoc. Employee of the Year Award for 2009 at the MSA’s annual awards dinner at the Harvard Club in Boston. The prestigious honor, awarded to one staffing employee in Massachusetts, is given to an employee who exemplifies the five main reasons to consider temporary staffing as an employment option — jobs, flexibility, bridge, choice, and training. In his role as an On-Site Manager at two of United’s larger-volume clients, Kervick is responsible for the day-to-day communication with the on-site temporary staff and for assuring that performance standards, policies, and procedures are met. United Personnel is headquartered in Springfield, with a satellite office in Easthampton.

•••••

James M. Buker has joined the Insurance Center of New England as a Senior Account Executive in the Group Employee Benefits Department.

•••••

Springfield resident David Ewen recently released his third edition of Let’s Make It Simple, which simplifies the complexities of book publishing and marketing into easily understood steps for new and experienced authors. Ewen is an author, speaker, and college instructor. The book is available at amazon.com.

•••••

Attorneys Ann I. Weber and Michele J. Feinstein, Shareholders of Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., recently spoke on “Planning for Long-Term Care: New Laws and Regulations” at the Visiting Nurse Assoc. The intensive workshop focused on a multitude of issues individuals face when planning for long-term care. Their law firm has offices in Springfield, Northampton, and Albany, N.Y.

•••••

Liz Washer has joined UMass Amherst as Director of External Relations, College of Humanities and Fine Arts. In this role, Washer will provide leadership for promoting the college’s ideas, events, and initiatives to advance its strategic goals, and will support and coordinate similar efforts within the academic departments and programs that report to the Dean.

•••••

Rob Scoble has been named the top Operational Officer for Hyde Tools Inc. of Southbridge. As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, he will oversee Hyde’s professional products and industrial blade divisions.

•••••

Brittney Kelleher has been promoted to Commercial Loan Officer at Westfield Bank.

•••••

Samuel A. Smith has joined TD Bank as Manager of its location at 178 Main St., Sturbridge. He is responsible for managing day-to-day operations at the branch, and developing and overseeing small business loans, deposit accounts, consumer lending, investments, and insurance services.

•••••

Bacon Wilson, P.C. of Springfield has announced that Partner Hyman G. Darling has been selected to serve as a volunteer member of the American Cancer Society’s new Nationwide Gift Planning Advisory Council. The council will be an active source of expert planned-giving and estate-planning consultation, will assist in the development of promotional strategies, and will serve as a resource for the society’s marketplace introduction to potential donors. Darling will serve a two-year advisory council term, providing guidance in estate planning law, tax, investment and wealth management, real estate, insurance, personal financial planning, and marketing. Darling is Chairman of the Estate Planning and Elder Law departments at Bacon Wilson, P.C.

•••••

Michael J. Schrader has joined the engineering firm of Hoyle, Tanner & Associates of Manchester, N.H. Schrader’s expertise in wastewater, water, stormwater and site-civil projects will play a key role in expanding the firm’s presence in southern New England.

•••••

The Mass. Society for Medical Research has recognized the following individuals for their contributions to biomedical research and education in the state and region. They are:
• State Sen. Stephen J. Buoniconti, D-West Springfield;
• Angela Avery, recently retired Superintendent-Director of the Norfolk County Agricultural High School;
• Terry McGuire, Co-Founder and General Partner of Polaris Ventures; and
• Robert Langer of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The society is a nonprofit educational and research support organization whose members are biotechnology firms, colleges and universities, hospitals and institutes, pharmaceutical companies, and others that support research.

•••••

Jeffrey Folkins has been promoted to Vice President of Sales at Classic Coil Co. in Bristol, Conn. He was previously the national sales manager.

•••••

Jill Senecal was recently named Graduate Admissions Counselor for the Office of Graduate Admissions at American International College in Springfield. Senecal will be responsible in helping the office recruit prospective students and increase enrollment.

•••••

Daniel J. Barrieau, Director of Respiratory Care at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, was among 45 health care professionals from across Massachusetts who recently received the Rx for Excellence Award in a Boston ceremony.

•••••

Qteros announced the following:
• Kevin F. McLaughlin has been named to the Leadership Team. McLaughlin brings 30 years of financial and operating management experience from the high-tech, biotech, and education industries; and
• Ralph M. Lerner has been named to the Leadership Team. Lerner has industry experience in general management, business development, and strategy development and implementation in the global petrochemical and energy industry, with companies including Amoco and BP.

•••••

Diane France of the Karen King Group at RE/MAX Prestige in Wilbraham has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert designation, having completed training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales.

By
Departments

Giving Back

The Boston Business Journal recently named PeoplesBank a top charitable contributor and number 2 in the category of ‘Companies with the Highest Volunteer Hours.’ The bank has contributed approximately $700,000 to charitable and civic causes and employees donated 6,700 volunteer hours over the past year. Here, James Morton, left, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, and Douglas Bowen, president and CEO of PeoplesBank, discuss the bank’s recent support of Camp Weber and Camp Fun City.

Victory Celebration

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno (second from left) was re-elected to a second term on Nov. 3. Seen with him on election night is the marketing team that coordinated his campaign: from left, Janet Casey, president of West Springfield-based Marketing Doctor; David Horgan, president of Horgan Associates; and Ed Brown, a videographer with New York Sound and Motion.

Human Center

The Center for Human Development staged its annual meeting on Nov. 10 at the MassMutual Center. Attendees heard updates on CHD programs, watched the presentation of several awards, and heard addresses from Health New England CEO Peter Straley and Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Baker, former CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, on the subject of national health care reform. At left, Straley (left) chats with Hank Drapalski, CHD’s vice president of Development. Above, the Rick Moriarty Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to Gene Sullivan, right, a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteer. With him is Keith Hedlund (left), director of the CASA program, and Alex Medina, Sullivan’s CASA child.

 

Having a Ball

More than 400 people gathered at the Sheraton in downtown Springfield on Nov. 14 for the annual Brights Night Ball, staged to support the Bright Nights holiday lighting display in Forest Park and other events staged by the Spirit of Springfield. The ball featured a social hour, several speeches by area elected officials, dinner, dancing, and an auction with prizes ranging from commercial time on local TV stations to a guitar signed by Bruce Springsteen and members of the E Street Band. Clockwise from left, Judy Matt, president of the Spirit of Springfield, with David Cuoco, left, and Joseph Tobin, longtime Springfield Parks Department employees who have led work to install the Bright Nights displays for 15 years; Roger Crandall, COO of MassMutual and chairman of the Bright Nights Ball, addresses the crowd; from the PeoplesBank table are, from left, President Doug Bowen, his wife, Anna, Susan Wilson, vice president of Marketing and Communications for the bank, and her husband, Craig; Health New England President Peter Straley with his wife, Donna Ross, an executive with Baystate Health; and Mark Tolosky, president and CEO of Baystate Health.

Stern Challenges Await Area’s New Mayors

By
Opinion
Stern Challenges Await Area’s New Mayors

This fall’s elections brought changes at the top for many area communities. Indeed, there will be many new mayors settling into office in January, and many will face immediate — and stern — challenges.

We wish them the best because, while Springfield is the unofficial capital of the Pioneer Valley and the focus of much attention in light of its recent struggles, the continued health and well-being of other large communities is a key factor in the overall success of this region.

The challenges facing the new mayors vary, but the common denominator is that the communities need strong leadership, and they need it now.

Let’s start in Agawam, where the survivor (that’s the best word for it) in this fall’s election is Richard Cohen, the former mayor and now mayor-elect. His immediate challenge is to restore a sense of honor and pride in this community. The off-duty exploits of outgoing Mayor Susan Dawson and the recent mayoral election — which included no less than seven candidates, more than half of whom had absolutely no business seeking this seat — has made Agawam the butt of seemingly unending jokes.

The embarrassing election is over, and it’s now incumbent upon Cohen to make people sit up and take notice of Agawam for other reasons, particularly economic development. There hasn’t been much of this lately, due largely to a lack of a clear vision about what this community wants to be and how it needs to get there.

Cohen’s first priority is to assemble some land on which businesses can locate, and then drive new development. All eyes have been focused on the so-called FoodMart Plaza, now known as Agawan Town Center, which was vacant for years and is now vacant again after the Steve & Barry’s fiasco, but there are other problems as well. There is no retail, and a crippling lack of commercially zoned property. Cohen can start with the town’s PR crisis, but his bigger assignment is growing the tax base.

Westfield has done well in that regard in recent years, and it is incumbent upon incoming Mayor Dan Knapik to continue to create opportunities for growth. While Agawam is land-poor, Westfield has plenty, and it has a turnpike exit and a municipal airport as attractive assets.

The biggest challenge for Knapik and his community is downtown, which has struggled for decades now. Outgoing Mayor Michael Boulanger and Westfield State College President Evan Dobelle have made some significant strides over the past few years in taking an overlooked and underappreciated asset (the college) and making it into a force for economic development.

Knapik has a lot on his plate, but building on the momentum gained with regard to WSC is priority one. Westfield will never be a true college town, like Amherst or Northampton, but it can be more of a college town, and it must become one.

While Agawam and Westfield confront challenge and opportunity, perhaps no city in the region is at more of a critical crossroad than Holyoke, and this is the situation facing Mayor-elect Elaine Pluta.

For starters, the city will soon be hiring a new police chief and a new school superintendent, meaning that there will be key leadership changes across the board, which are always daunting. But the elephant in the room is the planned high-performance computing center being developed by UMass, MIT, Harvard, and a host of other players.

The center will almost certainly become reality, though the facility itself will not generate tax revenue and will only create a few dozen jobs to start. What isn’t known is what kind of economic development can follow in the wake of such a facility. There is speculation (see story, page 6) that such a center can eventually attract government agencies conducting specific research initiatives, institutions of higher learning, private businesses that want or need to be near such a facility, and support businesses ranging from restaurants to copying centers.

Holyoke should strive for all of the above, and to do this, it must be bold and imaginative in the creation of incentives that will bring businesses and institutions to the city. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for this former mill city to reinvent itself as a city defined by innovation.

Politics has a way of getting in the way of progress in Holyoke. Pluta, a veteran city councilor, can’t let that happen. She must forge the partnerships needed to enable this once-proud city to take full advantage of the opportunity that is presenting itself.

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Departments

Ten Points About : Expansion of family and Medical Leave Act Coverage

By AMY B. ROYAL, Esq.

1. On Oct. 28, President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act which included provisions that further expanded the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for military families.

2. FMLA leave to military families was first extended in January 2008 in another defense authorization bill that President Bush signed into law.
3. That law amended the FMLA by creating two entirely new categories of FMLA leave specifically for military families.
4. The first category of military family leave created by the January 2008 amendment allowed employees to take up to 12 weeks of FMLA leave in a 12-month period if they experienced a ‘qualifying exigency’ when their covered family member was on, or called up to, active duty in the Reserves or National Guard.

5. With the recent expansion, employees who have a covered family member on active duty in the armed forces are now entitled to up to 12 weeks of leave for a qualifying exigency.

6. Qualifying exigencies are defined in the regulations issued by the Department of Labor earlier this year as follows: short-notice deployment, military events and related activities, child care and school activities, financial and legal arrangements, counseling sessions, rest and recuperation, and post-deployment activities.
7. The second category of military family leave created by the January 2008 amendment allowed employees to take up to 26 weeks of FMLA leave to care for a service member who has a serious illness or injury incurred in the line of duty for which the service member is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy.
8. With the recent expansion, employees are now entitled to take 26 weeks of FMLA leave to care for a veteran of the armed forces, including the National Guard or Reserves, who is undergoing medical treatment or therapy for or recuperating from a serious injury or illness at any time during the five-year period preceding the date of treatment, therapy, or recuperation. Previously, this type of leave did not allow family members to care for a service member whose injury or illness manifested itself sometime after the service member became a veteran.
9. The FMLA expansions are effective immediately.

10 Employers should amend their FMLA policies to reflect these expansions.

Amy B. Royal, Esq. is a partner in the law firm of Royal & Klimczuk, LLC. She specializes in management-side labor and employment law;
(413) 586-2288; [email protected]

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Departments

‘Phantom of the Country Opera’

Nov. 13, 14, 15: The Bay Path College Performing Arts Department will present Phantom of the Country Opera in Mills Theatre, Carr Hall, as part of the fall Kaleidoscope Series. The production promises irreverent wit, painful punning, sly contemporary references, and more than a touch of the absurd. Bay Path College is located at 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. For more information on show times and tickets, call (413) 565-1307 or visit www.baypath.edu.

Pynchon Award Dinner

Nov. 19: Recipients of the 2009 William Pynchon Award will be honored by the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts from 6 to 9 p.m. at Chez Josef in Agawam. Candidates to be inducted into the Order of William Pynchon during the 95th annual program are Gary Fialky, Esq., chairman of Bacon Wilson’s corporate department; Susan Jaye-Kaplan, co-founder of Link to Libraries, founder of Go FIT Inc., and founder of Pioneer Valley Women’s Running Club; and Marie Stebbins, community advocate and former teacher. The awards program includes a cocktail hour from 6 to 7 p.m. Seating costs $65 per person, and tables of 10 are available. To make a reservation by Nov. 5, call (413) 736-2582, or e-mail [email protected].

Parade of the Big Balloons

Nov. 27: Mass. National Guard Adjutant General, Major General Joseph C. Carter, is this year’s parade marshal for the annual Tower Square Parade of the Big Balloons in Springfield. Joining Carter during the parade will be an impressive array of equipment, including a military all-terrain, six-wheel vehicle that will deliver Santa Claus to downtown Springfield. Other pieces of equipment include a military ambulance, tanker, and transport vehicles. The parade steps off at 11 a.m. at Main and Lyman streets and ends at Locust Street. Bringing the holiday beat to the parade will be the East Windsor High School Band, Holyoke High School Band, and the Springfield Kiltie Band. After Santa makes his way through the holiday revelers along Main Street, he will take his place of honor in Tower Square to pose for photographs and listen to holiday wish lists. For more information on the fun-filled day, visit www.spiritofspringfield.org.

Book and Print Signing

Dec, 3: For the past 32 years, Easthampton resident Ruth Sanderson has illustrated 75 books for children of all ages and retold and illustrated many fairytales, including her latest project, Mother Goose and Friends. Sanderson will present a free lecture titled “The Story of a Book” at 7 p.m. in Breck Suite, Wright Hall, at Bay Path College, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, as part of the fall Kaleidoscope Series. Slides and examples of her detailed sketches and paintings from her award-winning books will be shown. For more information, call (413) 565-1066 or visit www.baypath.edu.

Winterfest

Dec. 9: The Bay Path College Performing Arts Department will celebrate the themes of light, hope, goodwill, and peace for all people during its annual Winterfest program as part of the fall Kaleidoscope Series. The free event begins at 7:30 p.m. in Mills Theatre, Carr Hall, on the Bay Path campus, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. For more information, call (413) 565-1066 or visit www.baypath.edu.

YPS New Year’s Celebration

Dec. 31: The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield has once again chosen downtown Springfield for its New Year’s Eve celebration. Only 300 tickets will be available for the affair at the Marriott Hotel in Tower Square. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsorship of the event should visit www.springfieldyps.com for more details. For ticket information, call Jill Monson of YPS at (413) 219-9692.

Women’s Professional Development Conference

April 30, 2010: Bay Path College will host its 15th annual Women’s Professional Development Conference at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  For more information, call (413) 565-1000 or visit www.baypath.edu.

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Departments

FloDesign Wins Funding for Wind Turbine Development

WILBRAHAM — The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced major funding for 37 ambitious research projects — including some that could allow intermittent energy sources like wind and solar to provide a steady flow of power, or use bacteria to produce automotive fuel from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. Among the firms nationwide to receive funding is FloDesign Wind Turbine Corp. of Wilbraham, developer of a compact wind turbine that resembles a jet engine. Flo design will receive $8 million. The funding is being awarded through the department’s recently formed Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), which was originally established under the America Competes Act of 2007. In April of this year, President Obama announced $400 million in initial funding for ARPA-E through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. ARPA-E’s mission is to develop nimble, creative, and inventive approaches to transforming the global energy landscape while advancing America’s technology leadership. FloDesign will develop a new shrouded, axial-flow wind turbine known as the Mixer Ejector Wind Turbine, which is capable of delivering significantly more energy per unit-swept area with greatly reduced rotor loading, as compared to existing horizontal axis wind turbines. Prototypes will be built and tested, demonstrating the advantages of lightweight materials and a protective shroud that will reduce noise and safety concerns, and accelerate distributed wind applications. In announcing the selections, Energy Secretary Steven Chu noted that, after World War II, America was the “unrivaled leader in basic and applied sciences,” adding that this leadership led to enormous technological advances. Chu sees ARPA-E as a crucial part of the new effort by the U.S. to spur the next Industrial Revolution in clean energy technologies, creating thousands of new jobs and helping to cut carbon pollution. Chu added that grants will go to projects with lead researchers in 17 states. Of the lead recipients, including FloDesign, 43% are small businesses, 35% are educational institutions, and 19% are large corporations.

UMass Design Center to Open in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — Mayor Domenic Sarno announced that UMass Chancellor Robert Holub has committed to establish an Urban Design Center at 3-7 Elm St. at Court Square. The new center will be open Feb. 1, 2010 and provide a variety of programs in architecture, landscape architecture, conservation, and regional planning. “We are thrilled with the UMass decision to move into downtown.The new Urban Design Center will provide a great resource to the City of Springfield and help us to continue to advance our economic development efforts,” Sarno said.“UMass has been working with the city of Springfield’s Development Services Division to establish this center to further assist in the economic revitalization of the city. This is the first step in a multi-pronged commitment by the university to partner with the city.” John Mullin, dean of the graduate schools at UMass, noted that “Chancellor Holub is extremely pleased to announce the opening of the Urban Design Center. This is one of our commitments to the city on economic development and will build a platform for an ongoing, expanded relationship with the city of Springfield.We are grateful to the mayor and his staff for their help. The Urban Design Center is part of our long-term relationship with the city.” Holub said his staff will continue to work with Springfield to ascertain next steps in a broader commitment that will include fostering UMass-related business spinoffs in Springfield, expanding the number of Springfield students attending UMass, and examining the placement of UMass back-off functions into a larger development next door at 31 Elm St.

Confidence Index Declines in October

NEW YORK — The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had declined in September, deteriorated further in October. The Index now stands at 47.7 (1985=100), down from 53.4 in September. The Present Situation Index decreased to 20.7 from 23.0 last month. The Expectations Index declined to 65.7 from 73.7 in September. The Consumer Confidence Survey is based on a representative sample of 5,000 U.S. households. The monthly survey is conducted for the Conference Board by TNS, a custom research company. The cutoff date for October’s preliminary results was Oct. 21. Consumers’ assessment of current conditions worsened in October. Those claiming business conditions are ‘bad’ increased to 47.1% from 46.3%, while those claiming conditions are ‘good’ decreased to 7.7% from 8.6%. Consumers’ appraisal of the labor market was also bleaker. Those claiming jobs are ‘hard to get’ increased to 49.6% from 47.0%, while those claiming jobs are ‘plentiful’ decreased to 3.4% from 3.6%.  Consumers’ short-term outlook grew more pessimistic in October. Those anticipating an improvement in business conditions over the next six months decreased to 20.8% from 21.3%, while those expecting conditions to worsen increased to 18.3% from 14.6%. The labor-market outlook was also more negative. The percentage of consumers expecting more jobs in the months ahead declined to 16.3% from 18.0%, while those expecting fewer jobs increased to 26.6% from 22.9%. The proportion of consumers expecting an increase in their incomes decreased to 10.3% from 11.2%.

Gross Domestic Product Grows in Third Quarter

NEW YORK — Real gross domestic product — the output of goods and services produced by labor and property in the U.S. — increased at an annual rate of 3.5% in the third quarter of 2009, according to the advance estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the second quarter, real GDP decreased 0.7%. The Bureau emphasized that the third-quarter advance estimate recently released is based on source data that is incomplete or subject to further revision by the source agency. The second estimate for the third quarter, based on more complete data, will be released on Nov. 24. The increase in real GDP in the third quarter primarily reflects positive contributions from personal consumption expenditures (PCE), exports, private inventory investment, federal government spending, and residential fixed investment. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased. The upturn in real GDP in the third quarter primarily reflected upturns in PCE, private inventory investment, exports, residential fixed investment, and a smaller decrease in non-residential fixed investment, and were partly offset by an upturn in imports, a downturn in state and local government spending, and a deceleration in federal government spending. Motor-vehicle output added 1.66 percentage points to the third-quarter change in real GDP after adding 0.19 percentage point to the second-quarter change. Final sales of computers subtracted 0.11 percentage point from the third-quarter change in real GDP after subtracting 0.04 percentage point from the second-quarter change.

By
Departments

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

AGAWAM

Frank Ferrentino
1676 Main St.
$10,500 — Re-roof

CHICOPEE

Chicopee Savings Bank
70 Center St.
$59,000 — New roof

Chicopee Savings Bank
70 Center St.
$90,000 — Construction of a new drive-up teller

Dunkin Donuts
820 Memorial Dr.
$188,000 — Remodel interior and new roof

GREENFIELD

AR Sandri Inc.
400 Chapman St.
$20,000 — Pour a concrete pad to support a 27-foot-high silo

Robert Cohn
117 Main St.
$5,500 — Installation of a new roof

Segundo Spike, LLC
3 Bank Row
$27,500 — Renovation of structure

Segundo Spike, LLC
3 Bank Row
$37,000 — Installation of a wet fire sprinkler system

Town of Greenfield
321 High St.
$126,000 — Removal of existing roof and installation of new one

HADLEY

Home Depot, USA
348 Russell St.
$326,000 — Construction of a Taco Bell Restaurant

Pyramid Mall of Hadley Newco, LLC
367 Russell St.
$5,000 — Construction of fitting rooms in retail establishment

Rocco Falcone
249 Russell St.
$41,800 — Interior renovations

HOLYOKE

Carline J. McCarthy
1593 Northampton St.
$11,000 — Install new walls for second-floor tenant

Carline J. McCarthy
1593 Northampton St.
$4,000 — Install door, deck, & stairs

Holyoke Mall Company, L.P.
50 Holyoke St.
$110,000 — Remodel existing Teavana store

Racing Oil, LLC
330 Main St.
$555,000 — Proposed filling station with car wash and retail building

LUDLOW

Ludlow Community T.V.
500 Chapin St.
$260,000 — Alterations

  

NORTHAMPTON

Coolidge Park Condos
50 Union St.
$204,000 — New roof

Jagdish Singh
57 Main St.
$6,000 — Replacement windows

James Mailloux
55 Main St.
$3,000 — Reconfigure first-floor office spaces

Jeffrey Lipston
108 Main St.
$12,000 — Renovation of the second floor

Hampshire Regional Young Men’s Christian Association
286 Prospect St.
$200,000 — Rebuild second-floor, fire-damaged women’s locker room

Hampshire Regional Young Men’s Christian Association
286 Prospect St.
$100,000 — Rebuild second-floor, fire-damaged men’s locker room

SOUTH HADLEY

South Hadley Housing
27 Abbey Lane
$345,000 — New roof and siding

SPRINGFIELD

A.I.C.
963 State St.
$50,000 — New roof

City of Springfield
285 Tiffany St.
$517,000 — Roof replacement

Helmet Lederer
1912 Wilbraham Road
$28,000 — Repair wall damaged by auto

Key Program Inc.
576 State St.
$9,500 — Staircase renovation

Temple Beth EL
979 Dickinson St.
$17,500 — Re-roof

WESTFIELD

Neil Phillips
45 Washington St.
$85,000 — Commercial alteration

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Costco Wholesale
119 Daggett Dr.
$7,500 — Interior renovations to break room

Fred Aaron
1680 Riverdale St.
$10,000 — Renovate retail furniture sales area

By
Departments

Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
(413) 787-1555
www.myonlinechamber.com

Nov. 19: ACCGS Government Reception, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by the Carriage House at Storrowton Tavern, West Springfield. Tickets: $55, general admission; $45 for members.

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com

Nov. 19: YPS Third Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m., hosted by the Museum of Springfield History, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. View museum exhibits that describe Springfield’s development as a manufacturing center, the city’s role in transportation history, the many inventions and firsts that were generated here, the growth of downtown as the region’s commercial center, the effects of urbanization and suburbanization, and the stories of Springfield’s diverse populations. Corporate sponsor: Baystate Medical Practices, part of Baystate Health. Sound and entertainment provided by Jx2 Productions.

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
(413) 594-2101
www.chicopeechamber.org

Nov. 18: Salute Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., hosted by MassMutual Learning & Conference Center, 350 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Tickets: $18 for members; $25 for non-members. Register online at www.chicopeechamber.org .

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
(413) 773-5463; www.franklincc.org

Nov. 20: FCCC Breakfast Series, 7:30 to 9 a.m., hosted by Bella Notte, Huckle Hill Road, Bernardston. Program: Engaging an Audience and the Community in New Media. Guest speaker: Jon Abbott, president and CED of WGBH in Boston, a broadcaster with multiple TV and radio services, known for its iconic programming (Nova, Masterpiece, Frontline, Antiques Roadshow, Curious George, The World, etc.). Sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank. Tickets: $12 for members; $14 for non-members. For reservations, call (413) 773-5463 or e-mail
[email protected]  by Nov. 13.

Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
(413) 527-9414
www.easthamptonchamber.org

Nov. 12: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by Northeast Center for Youth & Families, 203 East St., Easthampton. Door prizes, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar. Tickets: $5 for members; $15 for non-members.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
(413) 534-3376;
www.holycham.com

Nov. 18: Chamber After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by Eighty Jarvis Restaurant, 80 Jarvis Ave., Holyoke. Tickets: $5 for members; $10 cash for non-members.

Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
(413) 584-1900
www.explorenorthampton.com

Nov. 12: Northampton Area Young Professionals Party with a Purpose, 5 to 8 p.m., hosted by Mama Iguana’s. Free for members; $5 for guests.
Nov. 13: Northampton Chamber Information Session, 8 to 9:30 a.m., 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Free for those considering membership in the chamber.

Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
(413) 283-2418;
www.qvcc.biz

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
(413) 532-6451; www.shchamber.com

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
413-283-6425
www.threeriverschamber.org

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
(413) 568-1618; www.westfieldbiz.org

Nov. 12: 2009 Annual Meeting and Awards, 6 to 9 p.m., location and cost TBA. For more details, call (413) 568-1618 or e-mail [email protected] .