Business Briefs: July 27, 2008

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July 27, 2008

Anonymous The Press Republican Sun Jul 27, 2008, 05:46 AM EDT

Donation made

PLATTSBURGH -- Perrywinkle's Fine Jewelry recently donated a Breitling Super Ocean Steelfish chronometer to Mayor's Cup Regatta winner Michael Parsons.

The $2,850 watch features a synthetic sapphire crystal that is glare proofed on both sides. The crown is screwed down to the case and the watch is water resistant to 6,600 feet. The self-winding Breitling 17 mechanical movement is certified by the COSC, the official Swiss chronometer testing institute.

"Basically, it's the best watch made in the world," said Perrywinkle's owner Perry Sporn. "I travel to the factory in Switzerland every year to inspect and review the manufacturing process."

Bank earns rating

UTICA -- Adirondack Bank recently earned a four-star "excellent" rating for the first quarter of 2008 from BauerFinancial Inc., the nation's leading independent-bank research firm.

In determining ranking for financial institutions, BauerFinancial Inc. relies on a formula of criteria factoring in current and historical data. Among the criteria considered are the financial institution's capital ratio, financial/loss trend, level of delinquent loans and repossessed assets, reserves, regulatory compliance, proposed regulations, asset quality and other factors.

Earning a four-star rating indicates that Adirondack Bank is a financial institution that is safe, financially sound and is operating well above its regulatory capital requirements. This rating places Adirondack Bank on Bauer's Recommended Bank Report.

"This marks the sixth consecutive quarter that we have achieved the four-star rating," Adirondack Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Gary W. Kavney said. "Earning this designation can be directly attributed to Adirondack Bank's team of dedicated professionals who strive to meet the financial needs of the communities we serve. We will continue to maintain a sound, strong and positive financial direction."

Adirondack Bank is a full-service community bank with 17 locations throughout upstate New York and executive headquarters at 185 Genesee Street in Utica. The bank was founded more than 100 years ago and currently employs more than 150 people.

School completed

PLATTSBURGH -- Jody L. Carpenter, director of marketing, and Shari L. Seney, office manager of UFirst Federal Credit Union, completed Jim Aho's Financial Management School I, II, III and IV in June.

The school was designed to provide participants with a basic to advanced understanding of credit union financial statements.

Golf benefit

PLATTSBURGH -- The newly renovated Putt Putt Course at the Comfort Inn in Consumer Plaza at the entrance to Wal-Mart will be open today from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will feature a Heart Putt 2008 Benefit for the Plattsburgh Heart Walk.

Family fun with Putt Putt can be enjoyed with the newly opened ice-cream stand.

A portion of each Putt Putt admission will be donated to the 2008 Plattsburgh Heart Walk. The rain date will be Aug. 3 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information, call 562-2730.

Architect elected

KEESEVILLE -- Andrew W. Prescott, AIA, of Keeseville and Potomac, Md., recently was elected first vice president of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards at its 89th Annual Meeting and Conference in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Prescott previously served as the council's treasurer. In 2006, he was director for Region 2 (Middle Atlantic Conference). By virtue of his recent election, he will assume the presidency of the council in July 2009.

Prescott was also presented with the President's Medal for Distinguished Service at the annual meeting. He was recognized for his many contributions to the Practice Analysis Task Force, his leadership role developing the position paper for the 2008 Accreditation Review Conference and for more than two decades of service to both the council and the profession of architecture.

Prescott, now retired, was a founding partner of Einhorn Yaffee Prescott, a well-regarded architecture and engineering firm with offices throughout the country. Prescott managed projects in 45 states and 15 foreign countries that generated more than $100 million annually in fees.

The firm specializes in higher education, historic preservation, government, K-12 education, and science and technology. In 1995, the firm received an Outstanding Firm Award from the council and the American Institute of Architects in recognition of its support and development of emerging professionals.

In 2005, Prescott completed his term on the Maryland Board of Architects, to which he was appointed in 2000. He also served on the New York State Board for Architects, where he completed two five-year terms (1987-1996) and was elected chair in 1995.

Prescott earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Architecture degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Beyond his professional responsibilities, he currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the RPI School of Architecture.

Businesses honored

SARANAC LAKE -- The Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce recently held two ribbon-cutting ceremonies to welcome a new business and new owners.

Adirondack Concierge & More is the new venture of owner Liz Scammell Murray. Just a phone call away, Murray can help visitors and residents to find more time for their family and friends.

"Typical services include grocery shopping, waiting at your home for a delivery, home or camp maintenance, even dog walking," Scammell Murray said.

With a customer-service background and premier organizational skills, Scammell Murray is ready to help.

Another local business celebrating a milestone is Sears. New owners Phil Vivlamore and Larry Mullen are celebrating not only their new ownership but 15 years of a franchise with Sears.

For more information, contact the chamber at 891-1990 or by e-mail at info@saranaclake.com.

Lobby Day

ALBANY -- Last month, the Northern Adirondack Board of Realtors held the association's annual Albany Lobby Day for New York Realtor professionals.

Local Realtors traveled from the North Country region to meet with state representatives on issues including tax relief, first-time homebuyers assistance and the capping of closing costs for buyers and sellers. Sen. Betty Little and Assemblywomen Teresa Sayward and Janet Duprey spent time with Clinton County and Northern Adirondack Boards of Realtors to discuss the legislative needs of the Realtors and their customers and clients who want to achieve the American dream of home ownership in New York State.

The New York State Association of Realtors is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 62,000 of New York state's real-estate professionals. The term Realtor is a registered trademark which identifies real-estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code ethics as members of the National Association of Realtors. These Realtors are also members of the Northern Adirondack Board of Realtors in and around the North Country.