The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and host La Cucina will be holding a business mixer on Thursday, September 15, 2011, from 5-6:30pm.  Join the Chamber and the Parillo family for an evening of networking and socializing with other business professionals. 

 “This family owned and operated restaurant offers wood-fired pizza and homemade soups and specialties,” states Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, Membership Assistant.  “Enjoy an evening on the deck which features a full service bar mingling with business professionals.  This is also a great opportunity to see the progress of Bridge Street and Amsterdam’s Southside.”

 La Cucina is located at 1 Port Jackson Square, Amsterdam.  If you would like to attend this event, the Chamber asks that you RSVP to Membership Assistant, Gina DaBiere-Gibbs at 842-8200.

The Chamber is pleased to announce that they will be sponsoring their first “Big Buck Contest” this fall. A committee of local hunting enthusiasts and businesses involved in the outdoor sports industry have been working over the past several months to put together an exciting tournament to promote the wonderful hunting spots within Montgomery County (Charleston State Forest, Lost Valley State Forest, and Yatesville State Forest) and support the businesses that are involved in this popular industry.

The event will coincide with the hunting season and prizes will be awarded in the categories of bow, rifle, muzzleloader, female hunter, heaviest doe, and youth hunter.

The contest will conclude at the end of regular hunting season, December 20, 2011. Paid contestants will have a chance at winning a rifle and door prizes which will be presented January 7, 2012 at Loopie’s Pub in Tribes Hill.

All entries must be free-ranging whitetail deer of New York State origin, and must have been taken legally and tagged in accordance with the laws set by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

Registration forms are available at the Chamber offices at 1166 Riverfront Center, Amsterdam; and from committee members Dick Andrews, Mike Auriemma, John DiCaprio, Tom Georgia, John Havlick, Ron Kolidziej, Brent Phetteplace, Brennen Parker, Chuck Schwartz and Rick Vertucci.

They can also be downloaded from the Chamber’s website at www.montgomerycountyny.com under “forms and applications” on the homepage.

Hunting licenses go on sale August 15, and are available at Frank’s Gun & Tackle Shop Inc., 3549 State Highway 30, Gloversville, and Wal-Mart, Rt. 30, Amsterdam. You can also contact Amsterdam City Hall and your local town clerks. Be sure to visit the chamber’s on-line business directory at www.montgomerycountyny.com for a list of member businesses that can provide hunting and sports equipment and supplies and visit http://www.dec.ny.gov for more information on hunting in Montgomery County and New York State.

Base registration for the tournament is only $25 with $5 from each registration form going toward the Chamber’s scholarship fund. The scholarship program was initiated to provide an opportunity for local students to gain access to higher education through FMCC, often the stepping-stone of many educational careers. To date, The Chamber has presented over $5,000 to local high school students throughout Montgomery County including the Amsterdam, Canajoharie, Fonda-Fultonville, Fort Plain and St. Johnsville school districts.

Because of generous support the Chamber has been able to assist several students from throughout Montgomery County over the years to pursue careers in various fields including healthcare services, education, criminal justice, and human services to name just a few.

For more information call The Chamber at 842-8200.

Over 50 restaurants in Saratoga Springs and the surrounding Capital District will offer special price deals and menus to celebrate the 142nd running of the Travers Stakes on Saturday, August 27 at Saratoga Race Course.

This marks the second annual Travers 1864 Restaurant Week, which runs from Sunday, August 21 through Thursday, August 25.

Over the course of the five days leading up to the 2011 Travers Stakes, diners have the chance to sample a three-course meal at participating restaurants for a fixed price of only $18.64 — in honor of the first running of the Travers back in 1864. The Travers Stakes is the oldest major stakes race in the nation for 3-year-old horses.

New York Racing Association Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Hal Handle said the organization is pleased to host the second year of the Travers 1864 Restaurant Week to bring the community together and celebrate Saratoga’s biggest and oldest race.

Below is the current list of confirmed eateries participating in this year’s Travers 1864 Restaurant Week:

• Antipasto’s in Clifton Park
• Aperitivo Bistro in Schenectady
• Bangkok Bistro in Colonie
• Bangkok Bistro in Schenectady
• Barcelona in Albany
• Black Watch Steakhouse in Glens Falls
• Buca di Beppo in Albany
• Café Nola in Schenectady
• Caputo’s Pizzeria in Saratoga Springs
• Cella Bistro in Schenectady
• Carney’s Tavern in Ballston Lake
• Charlton Tavern in Ballston Lake
• The Chocolate Mill in Glens Falls
• Circus Café in Saratoga Springs
• Cornell’s in Schenectady
• Crystal Ristorante in Amsterdam
• Dolce Vita Restaurant in Schenectady
• Dunham’s Bay Resort in Lake George
• East Cove Restaurant in Lake George
• Finish Line Restaurant and Bar in Malta
• Fortunes at Saratoga Raceway and Casino in Saratoga Springs
• Grandma’s Pies and Restaurant in Albany
• Jack’s Oyster House in Albany
• John Riccitello’s in Schenectady
• Loca Luna in Ballston Spa
• Londonderry Café in Albany
• Manhattan Exchange in Schenectady
• Marche at 74 State in Albany
• Market Restaurant at the Albany Marriott in Albany
• Nicolino’s in Amsterdam
• Nove in Wilton
• The Olde Post Grille in Lake George
• The Pasta Factory in Latham
• Pasta Pane in Clifton Park
• Paolo Lombardi’s Ristorante in Wyantskill
• Peaches Café in Albany
• Provence in Albany
• The Pub at Cooper in Glens Falls
• Raindancer Restaurant in Amsterdam
• Ravenous in Saratoga Springs
• Reel Seafood in Albany
• Salty’s Pub in Clifton Park
• Simpson’s Grill at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany
• The Stockade Inn in Schenectady
• Sunset Café in Ballston Spa
• Tesoro in Guilderland
• The Van Dyck Restaurant and Lounge in Schenectady
• The Vista Restaurant in Clifton Park
• Turf Tavern in Saratoga Springs
• Valentino’s in Amsterdam
• Water’s Edge Lighthouse in Schenectady
• Wheatfield’s Bistro and Bar in Clifton Park
• Wheatfield’s Restaurant and Bar in Saratoga Springs

($18.64 price may not include tax, gratuity and beverage.)

The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2011 Employee of the Year and Volunteer of Year Awards to highlight the wonderful employees and committed volunteers throughout the county.

“Every day I hear stories about individuals within our community who’s passion for their job and desire to make a difference change our neighborhoods and positively impact our businesses,” comments Chamber President, Deborah Auspelmyer. “These awards and this event is an opportunity to recognize these individuals and applaud their efforts. Where would we be as businesses without our stellar employees? Where would we be as a community or organization without our volunteers? I invite our business members and the community at large to submit nominations for these awards.”

Businesses of all sizes and types, civic groups, tourist attractions, clubs and organizations, and non-profit groups are encouraged to fill out nomination forms.

The Chamber expanded the categories to make it easier for businesses making nominations including a tourism volunteer and junior volunteer. “We also added a junior volunteer this year for youths in our area ages 18 or younger,” states Brennen Parker, Co-Chair of the Chamber’s Young Professional Committee, TILT. “Youths are involved in making a difference in our community in a variety of ways: helping in community clean-ups, volunteering through scouts, assisting in fund-raisers, and participating in civic and church groups. We wanted to recognize their efforts as well, they are future community leaders. The nominations we received last year were extraordinary; it’s amazing to read about some of the efforts and involvement of our local youth.”

Nomination forms for the following awards are available at The Chamber office, 1166 Riverfront Center, Amsterdam, or can be downloaded from their website at www.montgomerycountyny.com under forms and applications:
• Employee of the Year Small Business (Less than 100 employees)
• Employee of the Year Large Business (100 employees or more)
• Employee of the Year Non-profit
• Tourism/Community Volunteer of the Year
• Junior Volunteer of the Year (18 and younger)

Last year’s recipients included: Dr. Nancy Knudsen, St. Mary’s Hospital; Joe Pereicich, West End Wine & Liquor, Jeannette Stevens-Daury, Inman Senior Center; Paul Gavry, Waterfront Foundation; Amanda Auricchio from Amsterdam and Rusty Baumes from Palatine Bridge.

The Chamber invites the business community and residents throughout Montgomery County to thank their employees and volunteers by nominating them for these prestigious awards. All nominees and the businesses they represent will be recognized at the VIP Appreciation Celebration, sponsored by St. Mary’s Hospital, September 29 at the Raindancer Restaurant. The deadline for submission is August 31, 2011. Call the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce at 842-8200 for more information or download an application at www.montgomerycountyny.com under forms and applications.