EcolocalGuideSpring09

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On the Cover Meet Kathleen Quartararo – co-owner of Virgil’s House, located on Henry Street in Saratoga Springs. If you’ve been to Virgil’s, then chances are, you’ve already met the resident princess. Her passion, charm and rambunctious energy will infect all who come into her presence, and it is the driving force behind the phenom that Virgil’s House has become.

Part living room, part playhouse, part tree-fort, Kathleen has made Virgils’ a place for the child in all of us.

Leave your tech toys at home, and engage in some old school games and conversation. Kathleen has taken the café back to it’s roots and real meaning – a gathering place for people to enjoy good food and good times together. She is also someone who has taken the word “sustainability”and made it the core foundation of her business and her lifestyle. Kathleen is the essence of what it means to be “eco-local,” and we are proud feature her as our first Eco-Localizer! .

INSIDE THIS ISSUE GREEN TEEN Spring Clothes In - Winter Ones Out . . . . . . . . Page 6 SPRING ECO-LOCALIZER Kathleen Quartararo of Virgil’s House . . . . . . Page 10 SUSTAINABLE INVESTING Crisis Creates Opportunity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12 MARCH MAPLE MADNESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15 DESTINY OF YOUR HEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16 INTENTIONAL LIVING In a New Kind of Neighborhood . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Ecolocal Guide is published bi-monthly and distributed free of charge to over 300 locations within a 50 mile radius of Saratoga Springs, NY. The Ecolocal Guide does not guarantee nor warranty any products, services, of any advertisers nor will we be party to any legal or civil proceedings to do with any advertisers We expect advertisers to honor any advertised claims or promises. The Ecolocal Guide will not knowingly accept any advertisement that is deemed misleading or fraudulent. We reserve the right to revise, edit and/or reject any and all advertising with or without issuing a reason or cause. We will not publish any article or advertisement that is contrary to the best interest of this publication. We reserve the right to edit articles if needed for content, clarity and relevance.

INTRODUCTION It was this time last year that I began to formulate the idea of The Ecolocal Guide. I have been on a personal journey of re-localization, trying to integrate more local food and redirect my commerce to local businesses wherever possible. Along the way, some amazing things have happened. I've been to farms and seen the animals that are raised with care and compassion. I've come to know the farmers at our local markets and have enjoyed not only the fruits of their labor - fresh veggies and hand made cheeses, but also cherish the relationships that we are building. The same goes for the small business people who are revitalizing our fabulous downtown corridors. These merchants work hard everyday to provide service and value that you just can't get at the corporate big-box-o-rama plexes that you'll find at the exit ramp along the Northway.

The common chord amongst all these diverse entrepreneurs is passion. These are the people who are living the dream of doing what they love, and loving what they do. I've found their passion is infectious, and it inspired me to startup this little magazine that you hold in your hands right now. Out in the back roads of Warren County, in the Town of Thurman, you'll find some of these passionate people. Some may call them mad, as they are afflicted with Maple Fever, which occurs every year about this time.

Persis Granger invites us all up to see first-hand this crazed bunch turn Maple sap into sweet gold.

We are fortunate to have these people in our communities.They are what make our region a vibrant and exciting place to live. With that in mind, I am introducing a new feature called “Eco-Localizer” someone in our community who is shaking things up, going against the grain and leading by example. In this issue, you will meet Kathleen Quartararo of Virgil's House in Saratoga Springs. She has taken the concept of the coffee joint and tuned it on it's head, with a rather refreshing result. Kathleen shares with us that we each can make a difference in our community - every little bit helps.

Also in this issue, Mary Beth McCue gives us an insight into the future of health care - and that future lies in our own hands. We must take personal responsible for our own health, and Mary Beth outlines some simple steps that we all need to take to optimize our lives. But what of our financial health? That too, is a personal responsibility, as Harry Moran discusses in his Sustainable Investing column. While fast profits may have come and gone, Harry outlines a strategy for success in the new sustainability paradigm that is unfolding before us. We have before us, an opportunity for a new way of life - where we become more integrated with nature and our neighbors. We explore this potential with Robert Blanchard, local architect and designer of an intentional community that he is planning to build. It is a new form of localism, one in which we are responsible for ourselves, for each other, and for the community in which we live. Because local is where we live.

Eco-local is what we can be!

- David DeLozier, Publisher

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OUR MISSION To gather and share reliable resources and information which will assist this and future generations to make conscious choices that will lead to healthful, sustainable lifestyles.

To provide benefit to all those who seek a vibrant, living local economy by promoting our neighborhood businesses that are committed to whole ecology thinking and practices, and the healthy food options available by supporting our local farming community Spring 2009 • Vol. 2, Issue 2 PUBLISHER / SALES / MARKETING David Delozier 518-858-6866 advertise@EcolocalGuide.com DESIGN / PRODUCTION Centerline Design 518-883-3872 CONTRIBUTORS Persis Granger, Harry Moran, Mary Beth McCue, Roger Fulton, Robert Blanchard and Vanessa Baird ARTICLE / EVENT SUBMISSION submissions@EcolocalGuide.com ADDRESSES 38 Tamarack Trail Saratoga Springs, NY 12286 www.EcolocalGuide.com By reading and supporting Ecolocal you become part of our team - and help the greater community of the Northeastern NY become a healthier place to live, work and play. Please tell our advertisers you saw them here.

We use recycled-content paper and water-based ink.

PLEASE RECYCLE!

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GREEN TEEN

Spring Clothes In, Winter Out THINKING ABOUT A CLOTHES SWAP The snow is starting to melt and winter is almost over, at least I think so...This means that it is that time again where I put on everything I own and decide if I would wear it, if it is too small and what I need for the next season. Finally after it's all bagged up, and ready to go, I get another bag full of someone else's giveaways and I have to go through them too.

My family and I have a number of different places we give our castaways to. Freecycle, which I've mentioned before, is an option. Sometimes we bring them to the Salvation Army who sells them in their store. Other times we give them to the church to give away to families that need them. But most often we give our old clothes away to family and friends who have younger kids that the clothes would work for.

This year I was thinking about doing something a little different. I'm thinking of having a party and asking everyone to bring clothes they've outgrown or no longer like. We'll put everything on tables and people can chose which ones they want. I figure we'll get it all done in an afternoon, with only one trip to the Salvation Army afterwards.

Healthy Green Mommies Green home, beauty and nutrition products Employment Opportunities Let's face it, the economy is changing.

The environment is changing. Our health is changing.

Would you like to see those three things change for the better?

What I still need after I go through those clothes I will try to find in a store that carries locally made products.

If you know of a local clothing store that carries items made here in the capital district or have a green idea of your own you'd like to share, e-mail me! I would love to hear from you.

They can.

And it can all start with You. Contact Elizabeth Dean of healthygreenmommies.com for free, no obligation required information ph: 757-321-4973 fx: 757-351-0898 Or learn more at http://www.healthygreenmommies.com

About the Author: Vanessa Baird is a local teen living green. She thinks that's just great as long as having a green life doesn't mean giving up 'having a life.' She'd love to hear what other teens are doing to be green.

You can email her at 1greenteen@gmail.com

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2009 Tour of the Battenkill Cycling Race The 2009 Tour of the Battenkill cycling race, presented by AMD/The Foundry, is rapidly approaching on April 18-19.

The event will start and finish this year in Cambridge, NY. This 5th year event is the largest cycling race in North America with 2000+ cyclists and 50,000 spectators expected to race and witness one of the most challenging and scenic races in the sport of cycling. The race covers 62 miles of Washington County and includes the Villages of Cambridge, Greenwich and Salem, the Hamlet of Shushan, the Eagleville Covered Bridge and the Towns of Cambridge, Easton, Greenwich, Jackson and White Creek.

Why chocolate milk? A recent study, published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, shows that chocolate milk may be as good - or better - than sports drinks like Gatorade at helping athletes recover from strenuous exercise.

The Villages of Cambridge, Greenwich and Salem and the Hamlet of Shushan will feature Hot Spots - safe interesting places to watch the race. The hot spots will have race memorabilia, community information, food and beverage for spectators.

Photo by Dave Kraus - Bumble Bee Photo

Volunteers and Sponsors are necessary and appreciated. The race requires approximately 300 volunteers over a two day period to register riders, marshal, and drive pace or wheel vehicles.

AMD/The Foundry and eighteen additional sponsors allow for promoter Dieter Drake and Anthem Sports to make this race a reality.

• Saturday, April 18th - The Pro/Am event will feature more than 1500 racers from 30+ states and Canada racing the open countryside of Southern Washington County, NY. Departs from the Cambridge Hotel beginning at 9am.

• Sunday, April 19th - The Cyclo-Sportif recreational event expects to draw more than 500 recreational cyclists testing their abilities on parts of this rugged course. Departs from the Cambridge Hotel beginning at 8a • Sunday, April 19th - The newly added Professional Men's Invitational is the marquee event. Professional teams from throughout North America will race 2 laps on the 62 mile course starting and finishing in the quiet village of Cambridge; Olympians, World Championship Competitors, and current as well as former National Champions will attempt to capture the win at

'America's Queen of the Classics' cycling race.Departs from St.Luke's St.Adjacent to the Rice Mansion Inn beginning at 11am.

The Tour of the Battenkill has partnered with Battenkill Valley Creamery, the only fluid (bottled) milk producer-processor in Warren, Washington and Saratoga Counties, to produce a commemorative bottle of chocolate milk to promote the race and celebrate the agricultural roots of Washington County. The bottles' imagery includes the artwork of Heather Bellanca of Salem and Sara Kelly of Cambridge.

To learn more about the Tour of the Battenkill, sign up as a volunteer or be a sponsor visit www.tourofthebattenkill.com

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Liquid Gold Photos by Cliff Oliver

One of the best things about March in the Battenkill Valley is Sugaring. The cool nights and warm day's produce “liquid gold” maple sap. From this sap comes pure maple syrup and a variety of other delicious products. The Battenkill Valley is located in the Upper Hudson New York Maple Producers region and association and non association producers will be open during Maple Weekend™ March 21-22 and 28-29 from 10am - 4pm each day. The producers invite you to tour the Sugar Shacks, see the trees being tapped, sample the rich taste of pure New York maple syrup, and enjoy a pancake breakfast, all while touring beautiful Washington County.

Indulge in a pancake feast at Mapleland Farm,Dry Brook Sugar House (both in Salem) or Rathbuns in Granville.

Consider coming for the weekend and staying in one of the regions Inn's, Hotels or Bed and Breakfasts.

A great weekend with the kids! Or not! For information www.visitbattenkillvalley.com

Breakfast at Mapleland Farm

Eastern Woodland Indians Varieties of Maple Syrup discovered that maple sap cooked over an open fire produces a sweet sugar. Today New York State is the Third Leading Producer of Maple Syrup Worldwide and Second Leading Producer in the United States. In 2008 the state produced approximately 332,000 gallons of syrup, an increase of 44% over 2007. To produce that many gallons of syrup the producers tapped almost 13,280,000 gallons of sap.

Listed below are the producers listed on the Maple Weekend website www.mapleweekend.com.

• Mapleland Farms, 550 Bunker Hill Rd, Salem • Grottoli's Maple Farm, 91 Ritchie Rd, Middle Granville • Highland Maple Farm, 954 Coach Rd, Argyle • Dry Brook Sugar House, 432 Chambers Rd, Salem • Sugar Mill Farm LLC, 2469 State Route 29, Greenwich • Rathbun's Maple Sugar House, 1208 Hatch Hill Rd, N. Granville

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Travelers to the Battenkill Valley might consider a tour that includes visits to three sugar houses and three different processes, and an amazing two day journey through our amazing county. Tim and Kendall Dwyer of Shushan Sity Sap Shack, off Roberson Road in Shushan, only produce 200 gallons of syrup using a wood fired evaporation process.

Travel up Rt 313 and go across the Eagleville Covered Bridge into Shushan. Continue by traveling into Salem on scenic Rt 64 traveling past farms and rolling hills. Catch a glimpse of working sheep, dairy and horse farms as well as alpacas and llamas as you drive north to Salem. Mapleland Farms is off Rt 30, a left at the red light, and Dry Brook Sugar House is off Rt 153, a right at the light. Both are offering pancake feasts and Dry Brook Sugar House is offering a horse and wagon ride into Vermont.

After your pancakes, continue on Rt 30 with a stop at the Battenkill Valley Creamery. Go over Bunker Hill Road towards Cossayuna Lake to Rt 40 in Argyle to Marge and Daves at Highland Maple Farm. From Rt 40 travel to Rt 29 towards the Town of Greenwich making your way to Sugar Mill Farm off Rt 29. Or take the scenic route and ask Highland for a short cut. John & Michele Reid started their operation twelve years ago. Their sap is processed through a 1,200 gallon per hour reverse osmosis machine and then boiled on a wood-fired 3'x12' evaporator with steam away. Begin the next day with a journey through the slate valley and trips to Grottoli's Maple and breakfast at Rathbun's Sugar House. Granville is also home to the Pember Museum and the Slate Valley Museum.

Overnight packages for the weekends are available at the B&B and Inn's located in the Battenkill Valley. Please visit our website at www.visitbattenkillvalley.com for a full listing.

Shushan Sity Sap Shack

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The Spring Eco-Localizer

Kathleen Quartararo of Virgil’s House Virgil’s House came onto the Saratoga scene two years ago when the old auto parts store on Lake Ave, next the Parting Glass Pub, was rehabbed for new commercial use. Opening another coffee shop and eatery in the already crowded marketplace of downtown Saratoga Springs would seem a bit crazy, but not to Kathleen Quartararo. Having been burned out from the techno-gadget world of telecom, she and partner James Hahn wanted a place where they and others could defrag from the “connected” world. Full of ideas and freed from the corporate rulebook, Kathleen and James gathered their collection of old furniture, board games and a hodge-podge of coffee mugs and opened Virgil’s House. Virgil’s has become that tech-free haven and a whole lot more. When you come to Virgil’s, turn off your cell phone; leave your laptop in the car. Instead, engage a conversation, make a new friend and play a game of cards. The giant chess board may beckon, and you just might stay awhile.

Welcome to Kathland.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR BUSINESS? I wanted to have a place I love,that’s all about the things I love the most. I love games; I’m a board game freak! I wanted a place where people can just sit and relax, play cards, do puzzles, hang out and not have to join anything, not pressured to get in and out. You know that old fashioned general store where you can eat and drink and see the people that you know? Virgil’s feels like that. It’s a complete extension of everything I love the most!

And it seems other everybody loves it too. People are craving peace, there’re craving connection, relationship. Do you know how many hugs I do a day? People love hugs! They love to stop and laugh and chat. They want to have fun!

WHAT'S THE BEST PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? I get to be on stage everyday for my own play.

Everyday, I get to say what I want, I get to laugh, I get to wear a tiara and get to meet and listen to people. I get to be ME! I can make up the rules – there are very few here. I have met the most amazing people here – the kids – the kids are amazing. I talk to the all the kids at their level – making direct eye contact. And they just love it.

I am basically a kid – forever 9 years old!

DESCRIBE YOUR PATH TO GREEN. HOW AND WHEN DID YOU BECAME ECO-CONSCIOUS? My grandparents were a big influence.They saved everything. They reused everything. They had a drawer full of neatly folded “used” aluminum foil and bags, awaiting another use. To get a new piece –that was a really big deal. In the last few years,I’ve been really turned off by our disposable society. Give credit to Target – I know they’re great marketers, whoever thought we’d need purple sponges and hot-pink laundry soap.They know how to drive people to get something new.

It just drives the creation of waste!

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU DO TO HELP MAKE THE WORLD A LITTLE BIT GREENER? Food service is crazy. You can order a bagel and you get a plastic plate and knife with a single serve dish of cream cheese – it drives me nuts!

The more I see it the more I just want it all to stop.

So we reuse and recycle everything here. It’s kind

of a game with me. I get my staff involved, and my customers, and the next thing you know, were all part of the solution and helping to make the world a better place! It makes me feel that I have a vested interest in my surroundings.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES? The Lyrical Ballard Bookstore – it’s one of my favorite places to go. As soon as you walk in there, it smells old, secure and safe. I love old books, and they’ve got tons. There’s a feeling of comfort when I’m surrounded by shelves full of knowledge and wisdom. It’s like a spa for your head! I come out feeling invigorated!

Another great spot is Saratoga Beads, just down the block from here. Linda has got all these great things to make - beads and craft ideas – it’s great for kids. She does classes, and the kids can come in and make gifts for their friends and family. I just love the creativity in the place.

WHERE DO YOU SHOP FOR LOCAL AND ORGANIC GROCERIES? Collins’ Meadowbrook Dairy is one of my favorites. We use their milk and cream here.

When we first opening up Nick was driving by in his Milk Truck and asked if we had a dairy service. When we sat down to place an order, there were no credit checks, complicated paperwork; we ordered some milk and he delivered it! Just like the old fashioned milkman. We also go to the Farmers Market here in Saratoga to get fresh veggies, and we support the local businesses as much as we can by offering a place for them to sell their products.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN THE SARATOGA AREA? LEAST FAVORITE? I love Saratoga! It’s beautiful is safe, it’s easy to walk around. The library’s great. The park – Congress Park, and the ducks! We get ducks coming down here because we have a heated sidewalk. The buildings in Saratoga are great! There’s just a lot of great old buildings

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that are open to the public. And the people in them! The Adirondack Trust building is amazing, and the Post Office – I love just going in there to buy a stamp. I’ll say,“I want one stamp, just one” and they say “One stamp, here you go.”What I don’t like? All the talk that there’s no parking in Saratoga. There’s plenty of parking, if you can walk a few blocks. I mean,come on,we have the most walk able city in the region and people complain because they can’t park on Broadway! We need to change the mantra to something positive –Saratoga has tons of parking!

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE REGION’S UNDISCOVERED OR UNDERRATED JEWEL? Other than Virgils’? The older residents! I have met some amazing people over 70, they have a certain peace about them. I’d say over 70 and under 10 are my favorite age groups. They’re just pure, and relaxed, and peaceful. They have a lot to give, and I think both ages have a lot to give us. My next project is to combine senior living with a kids’ daycare, and add in a pet shelter and see what happens!

WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS? Downtown Saratoga and downtown Ballston Spa. We park on the edge of town and walk in a big loop. CDTA has this great iRide program.

Sometime’s we’ll have breakfast in Ballston Spa and then catch the bus and have lunch in Saratoga!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VACATION DESTINATION? DO YOU PREFER TO KICK BACK OR EXPLORE? My sister’s place in Florida. She goes away and we house sit. They’ve got a lager house with a pool and a bar, a Jim and I will go there and do nothing. We’re busy all the time, so it’s nice to go there and just lay by the pool and read.

IS THERE A PARTICULAR ENVIRONMENTAL NON-PROFIT YOU SUPPORT? The Saratoga Healthy Transportation Network. They’ve got the great Bicycling Benefits program which we are members of. Ride your bike to Virgils’and we’ll give you a 10% discount for not taking up a parking space!

WHAT’S AN ECO-FRIENDLY GIFT YOU LIKE TO GIVE? Gift Certificates to local businesses. We have great restaurants, a mineral bath at Med bery Inn and Spa in Ballston Spa; there’s no packaging and it directly supports our neighbors.

IF YOU WERE A TREE, WHAT KIND OF TREE WOULD YOU BE? A giant weeping willow tree, with branches all the way to the ground.

This goes back to the 9 year old in me – you can sneak inside the inner room, invite friends in and hang out!

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Sustainable Investing

Crisis Creates Opportunity Dealing with the barrage of grim economic news, it’s easy to lose sight of the potential for major positive developments to come out of this crisis. The state of global economics is a living,breathing testament to the consequences of ignoring sustainability as a critical component of economic, social and environmental policy. Many readers of this publication have long been aware that a day would come when we would have to pay for our collective excesses. It’s clear that this “day of reckoning” is upon us-- but there is a silver lining (really!).

What we have experienced in recent years is the creation and subsequent bursting of a classic asset bubble. Unbridled greed and reckless overconfidence caused us to ignore risk to an extent that is probably unparalleled in our history. More noteworthy was the lack of insight on the part of our leadership, which allowed them to ignore this development, sometimes to encourage it.

Hopelessly complex financial instruments certainly facilitated and exacerbated the situation, but they were not the most dangerous ingredient in this toxic stew. More lethal was the success of the economic elite in persuading others to climb on board the “efficient markets” caravan. As we have once again been reminded, greed, incompetence and other distinctly human behaviors have a huge impact on society and on our economic system.

Many devout believers in the consistent ability of capitalist markets to rationally price assets didn’t believe an asset bubble was even possible though history is replete with examples to the contrary.

During the run up in stock prices in the 80’s and 90’s and then real estate in this decade, many experienced a tremendous increase in their “wealth”. Unfortunately, as is typically with asset bubbles, this rate of growth proved to be unsustainable as stock values were “written down” by 50% and real estate by 35-40%.This translates into a loss of about $20 trillion of “wealth”, down from about $50 trillion at the peak. In addition to most Americans feeling dramatically poorer, we now are carrying much more debt in relation to the value of our assets. Add to this the fact that so many have lost or are in danger of losing their jobs, it’s easy to appreciate the gravity of this situation. While we need to remain mindful that true wealth lies not in financial assets but in the ability to live a healthy, happy and peaceful existence in harmony with others and with the natural world,financial health is of course inextricably connected with sustainability and our overall wellness.

So, where do we go from here? Where are the opportunities I mentioned earlier? While this will be a painful period of adjustment, I believe we may see several positives emerge. Capitalism still clearly stands as the most effective economic system in world history but it is just as clear that oversight and regulation need to play a vital role. We see where free market extremism and an almost total lack of oversight have led us.

While too much regulation can stand in the way of robust economic growth,implementing well thought out,balanced measures to ensure that we can’t be hijacked by the greed and short-sightedness of a powerful few is critical to our long-term recovery.

The current financial crisis also underscores the importance of supporting local living economies.It was of course the huge financial institutions that pursued this reckless path, combining absurd degrees of leverage (aka debt) coupled with instruments so complex that no one could possibly anticipate how they would behave in adverse conditions.

Locally owned businesses by and large have continued to operate in the same responsible, conservative manner that have made them the backbone of our economy for generations.

These businesses are integrally involved with the communities in which they do business and are therefore closely aligned with the interests of all stakeholders,not just the narrow interests of corporate shareholders.

With few exceptions, local and regional financial institutions remain strong as their balance sheets aren’t weighed down with -continued on Page 15

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Denison Farm, Schaghticoke, N.Y., is welcoming new members for the 2009 season. Our Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA) offers a 22-week share of diverse, organically-grown vegetables delivered to Albany, Clifton Park, Delmar, Guilderland, Niskayuna, Round Lake, Saratoga,Troy, and Schaghticoke. We can also be found at the Troy and Saratoga Farmers' Markets. Take a step towards a more sustainable future by joining our family farm.

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the illiquid, toxic debt that their multinational counterparts are dealing with. Community development financial institutions (CDFI’s) are playing a role more critical than ever as they step up to fill the void created as many banks essentially stopped lending. CDFI’s have traditionally been the most effective approach to meeting the huge demand from the typically underserved economically disadvantaged segment of our society and their role is even larger in this period marked by dramatically weakened and ineffective banks.

These local institutions have long provided responsible (non-predatory), “sub-prime” loans to individuals and small businesses. By virtue of their conservative, “hands on” underwriting practices, they continue to experience much lower loan default rates than many large banks. Supporting these local financial institutions which in turn support our local communities through the funding of micro-enterprise development, affordable housing initiatives and key non-profit organizations stands as an extremely effective way to nurture our local economy and align our values with our money.Utilizing local financial institutions is a natural extension of supporting local businesses as consumers of their products and services.

Things may indeed get worse before they get better and unfortunately many will endure great hardship but it’s likely that we’ll eventually emerge as a more balanced, just and sustainable society.Crisis can indeed create opportunity and the magnitude of this crisis suggests that the potential for meaningful, positive change is very real.

Harry Moran helps socially conscious investors define and achieve their highest goals by aligning their money with their values. A 22-year veteran of the financial services profession, Mr. Moran has held the Certified Financial Planner® designation since 1991. He is a network member of First Affirmative Financial Network,a national professional organization dedicated to meeting the needs of the socially conscious investing community. Mr. Moran can be reached directly at Cornerstone Financial Advisors at hmoran@cornerstone-fa.com.

Mention of specific securities, funds, or companies should not be considered an offer or a recommendation to buy or sell the security, fund, or company.

To determine the suitability of any particular investment, please consult with your investment adviser. Remember, past performance is no guarantee of future results and no investment strategy can assure success. The opinions expressed are those of the author and may change without notice. Harry Moran is a registered representative offering securities through Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc., member FINRA SIPC. Cadaret, Grant is not affiliated with Cornerstone or First Affirmative.

March Maple Madness

in the Town of Thurman

By Persis Granger

It all begins on one of those special days in late winter, when snowmelt hammers on the porch roof, the sun seems higher in the sky, the air has an unmistakable smell of spring, and crows caw over the meadow.

In Thurman,folks wait all winter for days like that. On days like that, the maple sap is running.

The tiny Warren County town of Thurman boasts a proliferation of maple producers – probably more per square mile than anywhere else around. Most are second- or third-generation sugar makers, carrying on a proud family tradition of maple production, using a combination of learned-at-the knee knowhow and an ongoing quest for technology to streamline their operations and make them energy and labor-efficient.

Many recall a grandparent carrying buckets with a yoke to a kettle over an open fire.

Some will share memories of two or three generations of their family working together to gather, boil and bottle.

These days the iron kettles are replaced by old or new evaporator pans,and most buckets

Toad Hill Maple Farm have given way to plastic tubing. Some producers still lean toward tradition, while some have gone high tech. The degree to which each has embraced technology varies, but all are passionate, and all agree that sugaring is an addiction.

It must be. They swap battle stories of scrambling up ice-glazed slopes with crampons in sub-zero temperatures to string tubing. They tell of early years of making do with marginal equipment that worked poorly or failed at critical moments, of sugarhouses catching fire (and of sacrificing all of the day’s sap to douse the fire). They brag about standing over a steaming evaporator for so many hours that they literally fell asleep on their feet. Why would any sane person do that?

Addiction. Charlie Metzger, a self-confessed sugaring junkie, doesn’t tap as many trees as he used to, but when that snow begins melting off the roof, his pulse quickens, and he heads to the woods to collect at least enough nectar to boil down for family and friends. Charlie laughs.“Remember, old sugar makers never die; they just evaporate.”

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16 The need to practice personal responsibiliPresident Obamas' Health Care Reform, ty to acquire and maintain health may “Plan for a Healthy America” can be seen be at an all time high,even while the new at www.barackobama.com/issues/healthObama administration in Washington is care. His quote on the homepage:“I am

By Mary Beth McCue working to “improve” our Health Care asking you to believe. Not just about model. Chronic illness and disease are my ability to bring about real change in on the rise and have been for some Washington…I'm asking you to believe time. People are living longer,but at the in yours”, is the directive that personal expense of living more years not feeling responsibility is critical here. The meswell and lacking vital function - needlessly. sage that government may not be able to Many have come to believe that “forty or fifty offer all that we need and that “The Obama something”means the start of chronic disease, Effect”….”We need to be the change”…”Yes when it does not have to be. And even more we can”… etc seems to be the mantra that alarming,but now “common”,are seeing young amongst many things has helped propel us people in our culture burdened with chronic into forming meaningful grass-root actions conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart to help influence ourselves and our governdisease, auto-immune diseases, depression, ment to be a better and healthier people ADD and more, which a very short time ago and nation. There is even a group that is where seen as diseases of the “aging “ populadetermined to get an organic farm plot on tion.Complementary and Alternative Medicine the front lawn of the Whitehouse ! Obama (CAM), Integrative Medicine (IM), Mind- Bodyand our government are “listening and Medicine (MBM), Functional Medicine (FM) - most are out of pocket engaging,”but what will the outcomes be? The issues with health care services to help restore health- continue to be utilized more and more are wide. Our life-style and cultural norms around food (most of which each year. This upward trend is yet another significant “indicator” of is non-food) and western medicine is literally killing us. the continued deficiency in our western-conventional health care Obama realizes we have to undo many years of as he states “being model. The experts, and the non-experts, like our government - are in unhealthy in this country” On the plan for a Healthy America website, agreement that the inclusion of Integrative Medicine as a covered he proposes to 1) make Health insurance affordable & accessible to all; health care service will help our nation heal their health, their econo2) he will lower health care costs and 3) he will promote public health my and unite back into the world more whole and complete and able via preventative services and enhance preparedness for terrorist to serve.This end result will itself continue to feed the healing process. attacks and natural disasters. It goes on to explain on the website: …”the American people are too often offered two extremes - governmentrun health care with higher taxes,or letting the insurance companies operate without rules.”

The Destiny of your Health

Is this enough…..What more do we need and how do we get it? It is widely accepted across the practices of western and eastern medicine; and now our government, that a common fundamental scientific approach to treating and resolving chronic disease-an epidemic that now affects a reported 133 million Americans and accounts for 78% of health care costs- has been needed for decades. I believe the numbers must be higher as many people - like myself that have/had chronic conditions go unrecognized for years. We can't continue to afford the over two trillion dollars per year on U.S. medical care. Further, 95 cents of each of these dollars is for treatment of disease after it is occurred.

This is not efficient. Most of these dollars can be saved through prevention and treatment with life-style changes - prior to their occurrence's.

The second item of highest priority is that we need to create a much more “prevention focused” society. We have too many convenient choices, most of which lead to illness. Too much processed foods, too many doctors willing to pass along another medication to their client, too many doctors working on one patient and no one communicating, too much stress and not enough places to release it, and too much toxins in the environment as a whole…in our chemical laded foods, in our water sources,in our teeth from our amalgam fillings,in our bodies form too much medications and on & on. This is not a purest belief,but rather the common components of what we in integrative and healing medicines see daily as causes for illness. It is very simple. We have more research than we care to discuss that proves these are the main causes of not feeling well. Being overweight,depressed,dealing with ADD,cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue, diabetes are not seen in the third worlds nations near the rates we have - if they even are seen. Many third world counties are healthier than us because they don't have these (vast and unhealthy) lifestyle choices, or make these decisions. The “Getting back to Basics” trend will help here.The Obama effect will help here.

17 Two significant Health Care events happened the week of Feb 23, 2009 which will help in formulating a new national health care plan.

One, the week-long discussions in Washington on Integrative Health & Medicine. A discussion between a panel of 4 Medical pioneers, some refer to as “The “Fabulous Four”, talked at the U.S.Senate Hearings more than two hours, with the heads of the health care reform committee to sell them their ideas that have already been proven to work for years for thousands - where our national system has failed. Please look at this very revealing and poignant recording and consider passing it along to as many people as possible. http://help.senate.gov/Hearings/2009_02_26/2009_02_26.html I have been fortunate to have collaborated with 3 of the 4 panelist &/or their staff. Dr. Mark Hyman MD: Functional Medicine specialist, Dr. Mehmet Oz: cardiovascular surgeon, Oprahs MDs and creator of HealthCorps, Dr. Dean Ornish: Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, CA, and Dr. Andrew Weil, MD: Mind Body Medicine Center and Medical Resident Programs - all agreed with government on critical points some where: #1-Integartive Heath Care is way overdue, it was initiated into congress in the late 80s and little has been accomplished. An Integrative medical model with the inclusion of many health and healing modalities -which already have proven themselves - should be available to everyone. A model that supports the treatment and resolution of chronic disease and maintaining health and vitality. As a clinician, I coordinated 15 different modalities into a small community hospital. If this can succeed in an under subsidized community of the Berkshires in Western, MA it can succeed anywhere. The methods go beyond this article, let's just say it is very doable and with little dollars needed. The only hurdle was gaining physician “buy- in”. #2- A new services of offering “health coaches” is needed in the clinical system to guide people in the management of their own health files and needs.This is something we do as integrative health practitioners. # 3- Health prevention in the form of education must be infused in our cultural and lifestyle to help Americans make and maintain positive health changes. # 4- All U.S.Medical School must require Mind Body Medicine education.

Another event was The “Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Health of the Public “hosted by the National Academy of Sciences. For more on this, go to http://www.iom.edu/integrativemedicine. The results of this event will also interface with the government health policy makers.

While the health care reform process continues, we can continue to be a part of the change. The Obama site above or americanhealthcarereform.org has blogs and message links to share your ideas. Or gather a group at work or in your community and forward your suggestions.

In this area, get involved locally via groups like “Capital Region Creating Wellness” or “Saratoga Integrative Medicine Educational Network “ (SIMEN) which both can be found on a Facebook search. Saratoga Integrative Practitioners Network is a great source for services. www.sipn.info PERSONAL, NUTRITIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE TIPS: (some of the biggies) Personal: Your choices today will affect your health in the future.#1 Listen to Yourself. If your not getting your answers to your medical and health care needs, find a place where you can. Speak to friends that have found help, interview potential new doctors &/or CAM providers.

Most will (should) give you the time for this.And start using those that feel right. The sooner you do this, the sooner you will feel better. #2 Be your own health advocate. No one else will. Keep your own records, ask questions, keep all your providers unformed, you must manage your care. If you can't, ask a friend or family member or hire me to do it.

Nutritional:Your diet is a mirror of your health and visa versa. #1 Eat real foods; and when you can't eat foods that are the closest to their natural state as possible. #2 Eat organic or sustainable local foods with-

out added chemicals, antibiotics, pesticides. #3 Join a local co-op, use natural food stores, join a CSA Farms www.localharvest.org/csa #4 Drink a lof of non-chlorinated/fluorinated water. Mostly away from meals. #5 Know your food intolerances. These are very common and will act in your body like a toxin and create chronic problems or increase them. Find a nutritionist experienced with this. #6 Chew your foods to liquid form before swallowing. #7 Nutrients- beyond that which is in Foods - supplements are needed to resolve conditions. #8 Modify alcohol & caffeine or eliminate completely - especially if excessive.

Environmental: Destress & detox on a ongoing basis. All imbalances in the body are secondary to stress and /or toxicity - from external &/or internal sources. Period. #1 Eliminate unnecessary meds, OTC meds, mercury from too much large fish &/or amalgam fillings #2 Avoid Aluminum and Teflon cookware. Use stainless steel, enamel, and iron. #3 Use natural skin and body products. For example, most lipsticks contain lead. #4 Use hair color treatments that are natural or that have less chemicals. #5 Electric Blankets and water beds interfere with our natural energy fields. #6 Avoid deodorants that contain aluminum.

Mary Beth McCue RD,LDN,CDN is a dietitian/NYS Certified Nutritionist recognized for her work in Integrative and Functional Nutrition. By working with foods and nutrients, she helps people support their bodies to resolve chronic problems from fatigue to over-weight. With more than 20 yrs experience she offers Corporate, and Community programs, and consults with individuals Saratoga Springs and Malta. Mary Beth offers a complementary phone consultation to potential clients. For more information:www.SIPN.edu. To schedule a consultation: SaratogaNutrition@earthlink.net or ph 518.257.6530.

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Intentional Living

In a New Kind of Neighborhood

By David DeLozier

Each homeowner will enjoy their one acre and share about thirty five acres of commons through a homeowners association.

“This will not be idle land,” says Blanchard. “All owners will be encouraged to grow their own fruit and vegetables. Classes will be offered in biodynamic gardening with safe, natural techniques.” Mr. Blanchard has even thought of an innovative roof water capture system for use in the gardens and elsewhere.

Ultimately, the goal is to create a blend of self-sufficiency and shared effort that makes for strong bonds and friendships.

This will be a great place to live, with woods, meadows, and a stream with marshes, already abundant with wildlife. The clustering of houses leaves the natural areas open and accessible to the neighbors with a variety of hobbies and interests.

The current housing crisis has got many people rethinking the idea of how we should live in the world of the future. The old adage of “bigger is better” has proven unsustainable in many ways. Cookie cutter McMansion neighborhoods are attractive looking out the car window, but the lifestyles in these “Wysteria Lane”clones can leave the residents desperate for something more. Many people are looking for ways to live more affordably and self sufficiently, in harmony with their surroundings. There is a grass-roots movement of people out to create what is being called “Intentional Communities.”

Not the communes of the 60's heydays, but a new type of neighborhood where people are integrated to the land and with each other, working together in a partnership to enhance the whole to create a dynamic living arrangement.

In an intentional community, a part of the design is the gathering places that provide opportunity to meet your neighbors in natural ways - Common Gardens, meeting spaces, exercise trails, and shared activities.

Such a community is forming just 2 miles from the center of Ballston Spa, by local developer and architect, Robert Blanchard. Blanchard has a new neighborhood concept that starts with a cluster of eleven smaller footprint (1,100 -2,500 sf ) single family homes, three duplexes, and a Bed and Breakfast Inn, to be strategically situated on sixty acres. “The homes will be on a southern facing slope and will feature a passive solar design,” explains Mr. Blanchard. “These homes will be super-insulated (R-28 walls, R-60 roof ) and use healthy renewable building materials. Add Energy Star appliances, solar hot water, hydronic solar Heating System and photovoltaics to produce electricity and the energy impact will be nearly zero.” The site also has the potential to capture power from flowing water and wind. The Gordon Creek flows through the property, and could easily be configured to accommodate a pond and turbine to create electricity for the neighborhood.

Not content with just designing another 'green” home, Mr. Blanchard wants to create a home free of toxicity. “Suffice it to say there will be only natural materials in these homes,” explains Blanchard. “That means real wood,no glued products, like plywood that can off-gas noxious particles. There will be triple glazed windows and doors, hourly air exchanges, no PVC piping, and natural ventilation through a central clearstory.” For allergy sufferers and those with chemical sensitivities, this type of home could quite literally be a lifesaver.

These houses will sell for about the same dollar per square foot of space as a typical standard-built new home. One doesn't need to spend any more for health and energy independence. Using local, natural materials, capturing the energy from the sun and falling water, and building with the land, not just on it, Blanchard hopes to inspire others to follow his lead. “We just need this kind of sustainable community to live in,” said Mr. Blanchard. “I'm hoping this will inspire people to ask for these kinds of homes so that more developers will provide them.”

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What to do, where to go and how to get there.

By Roger Fulton and Mike Carpenter

Town of Ballston Veteran's Trail Spring in the Upper Hudson Valley Region is also known affectionately as “Mud Season,” when the snows of the long winter recede to reveal the frozen ground that was hiding below.

Awakened by the sun, saturated by snowmelt, the ground transforms to a pea soup consistency that makes area trails a slippery and soggy affair. Hiking is not advised in these conditions, as trails are susceptible to increased erosion and damage. So where do you go up and out this time of year? Choose a hardened trail or bike path for your Spring adventure.We are fortunate to have several options in our region. A nice trail that is centrally located is the Town of Ballston Veteran's Trail, also known as the Town of Ballston Bike Path. Here's the “dirt” on this nearby jaunt: TOWN OF BALLSTON VETERAN'S TRAIL, also known as THE TOWN OF BALLSTON BIKE PATH NEAREST TOWN: Ballston Spa, NY GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A down-and-back paved multi-use trail of about 3.5 miles one-way (7 miles total). This is a paved, multi-use trail open to walkers, joggers and bikes. It is a great resource for the community.

GPS READING - PARKING AREA:

N 42° 57.376'' W 073° 51.071' OVERLOOK AT LAKE: N 42° 57.400' W 073° 51.389' OUTLET RD. TRAILHEAD: N 42° 57.437' W 073° 51.147' RT. 146A TRAILHEAD: N 42° 54.662' W 073° 52.557'

CAUTIONS: If you are walking, stay to the right. It would be awfully easy for some fast bicyclist to sneak up on you.

SEASON-HOURS-FEES-PARKING: It's a three-season trail.

Parking is ample and free. Please use the designated parking area.

FACILITIES: None. Bring water and any other supplies you may need for a lengthy outing.

WHAT WE FOUND: This is a nice, wide-open and flat trail.

Although primarily a bike trail, we met several walkers on a nice afternoon. Interpretive markers along the way broke up the hike,as the walk itself is flat and uneventful.Although it follows an old trolley bed just west of Ballston Lake, you won't see the lake at all. There are mileage markers at regular intervals so you can tell how far you've gone.

We first took this trail on foot and walked about 2 miles of it. A few weeks later, we returned and completed the entire trail on bikes.

ACTIVITIES: After you get back to your car, you need to take about a .1 mile walk in the other direction to the fishing access dock on Ballston Lake. A long wooden boardwalk and a nice view of the Lake makes this side-trip very worthwhile.

WHAT YOU MAY SEE: The trail is flat and wide and paved. It is ideal for anyone who wants to take a short walk without too much exertion, take the dog for a walk (please keep it leashed and clean up any messes), bikes, baby strollers, roller-bladers, etc.

HOW TO GET THERE: Take to Northway (I-87) to Exit 12. Go west on Rt. 67 about 2.5 miles to Brookline Rd. Turn left onto Brookline Rd. and go .6 miles to the intersection of Rt. 50 (look for two gas stations at this corner). Turn left (south) on Rt. 50 and go 1.3 miles to Outlet Rd. Turn left (east) onto Outlet Rd. and go .7 miles. The parking area will be on your left just past the railroad tracks.The trail will be about .1 mile back from the parking area.The other end of the trailhead is at Rt. 146A.

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SAVE OUR MAPLES Beetles hitchhiking into the Adirondacks on firewood could decimate the maple trees in our area and destroy the maple production celebrated here. The Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) has infested New York City, Worcester, MA, Chicago, Toronto, and parts of New Jersey. They kill the trees, and the only way to destroy them is to cut down the trees, chip them and burn the chips.

HOW BIG A RISK IS THE ASIAN LONGHORN BEETLE? The DEC website equates infestation by such invasive species as “catastrophic wildfires in slow-motion.” It explains that these insect threaten the “environmental, economic, recreational, historic and aesthetic benefits provided by healthy forests.”

Unchecked, this could be huge.

YOU CAN HELP! Don’t bring firewood into our area from anywhere outside the state or from more than fifty miles away.Regulations prohibit it, because it could bring ALB and/or other invasive species into our treasured forests. For more information, visit www.decny.gov/environmentdec/47180.html or phone 1-866640-0652.

MARCH MAPLE MADNESS

in Thurman

To find Thurman ~ From Northway exit 23 (Warrensburg), proceed north on Rt. 9, left on Rt. 418, over and along and back over the river for 3.5 miles to Athol Road on the right. Take Athol Road and follow Maple signs.

March 14th ~ Thurman Annual Maple Sugar Party, Thurman Town Hall, 311 Athol Rd., Athol. Live music, all-you-can eat buffet, topped of with traditional jack wax. Benefits American Cancer Society. 4 p.m. till all are served. $10 adults, $5 for kids 6-11. 5 & under, free. Info. 623-2909,

PLUS THREE MAPLE WEEKENDS March 14th - 15th ~ Thurman Maple Weekend March 21st - 22nd ~ New York State Maple Weekend March 28th - 29th ~ New York State Maple Weekend EACH WEEKEND ENJOY ~ Free open sugarhouses, demonstrations, activities, delectable goodies. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Pancake breakfast at Valley Road Maple Farm begins at 9 a.m.Information 623-9718. Follow signs or get maps at Town Hall, or online at www.persisgranger.com/ThurmanMapleWeekends.htm.

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Charlie Wallace and his dad used to sugar with the legendary Hollis Combs, who tapped and boiled into his ninth decade.

Now the Wallaces sugar on Dippikill Road, and many beat a path to their door to buy traditional dark syrup, the kind Hollis used to make and old-timers call “real” maple syrup.

Cheryl and Marc Kenyon operate Adirondack Gold Maple Farm, an outgrowth of the sugaring carried on by Marc’s dad, Don, and his father, Oscar. Marc and Cheryl have built a new sugarhouse and modernized a bit, but you’ll still find a wood-fired evaporator there, and old fashioned hospitality that would make Oscar proud.

Toad Hill Maple Farm Sugar makers tell funny and heart-warming stories. Randy Galusha of Toad Hill Maple Farm reminisces about how he and his brother launched that business by hanging three coffee cans on a maple in their yard when they were kids in the ’70s. Their dad, intending to just “help”them, got hooked on sugaring, too, and, before they knew it, the family had a full-fledged operation in the works—one that Randy and his wife Jill run today, said to be the biggest in Warren County. Randy remembers one year when his little brother waded day after day through waist-deep snow to check one particular sap pail, each time finding it empty.

Finally Ted Kenyon, their mentor, confessed that he’d duped them into tapping a soft maple, and that there would never be any sap in that pail.

Mike Hill grew up in a converted one-room schoolhouse in Warrensburg,where he started sugaring with his parents, using equipment donated by relatives.But where to boil? Mike recalls,“Well,the schoolhouse had a four-holer, which must have been a luxury at the time. It made just a perfect sugarhouse. Not too many sugar makers can say their first sugarhouse was an old outhouse.” Now he boils with Ralph Senecal in a state- of-the-art facility, Thurman’s Valley Road Maple Farm. They pride themselves on their light amber syrup, named best in Vermont’s International Maple Syrup Contest, and their candies, which walked away with a blue ribbon at the New York State Fair in 2008. Valley Road Maple has invested in a reverse osmosis machine that extracts 75% of the water content from the sap before it is boiled, saving fuel and boiling time.

On Saturday, March 14th, Thurman begins a three-week-end celebration of all things maple with open sugarhouses, demonstrations, samples, sales and special activities.

Also participating is Martin’s Lumber, where Gary and Wini Martin will show off the beautiful grain and interesting characteristics of their maple lumber,like the telltale marks left by taps placed in the tree in bygone days.

Gary will demonstrate his saw mill and explain the principles of sustainable forestry that will maintain his forest to serve generations to come.

Alice Parker approves this batch of traditional Jack-wax. (photo/Mark Buchanan) Crowning that first Maple Weekend is the March 14th Maple Sugar Party, beginning at 4 p.m. and running till all are served at the town hall. There’s live music and an incredible home-cooked buffet topped off by a dessert of old-fashioned jack wax, sometimes called “sugar-on-snow.” You haven’t tasted maple until you’ve tried swirling gooey, chewy jack wax around your fork and maneuvering it into your mouth.

Jean Reynolds The Maple Sugar Party here dates back to 1959, when the community held one to raise money for a local family fighting to save a son with leukemia. The dinners have continued ever since,drawing people from miles around to celebrate the running of the sap and continue the fight against cancer. A succession of women have simmered the jack wax. Jean Reynolds, took over the job after Alice Parker stepped down in her senior years. She said the dinner has its challenges.

“We’ve had blizzards,ice storms,floods,roads closed, detours, and have even lost electric power. … But you know, every year things work out, and it’s a success.” Due to Jean’s ill health a few years ago, Helen Baker stepped up to carry on the Maple Sugar Party, learning from Jean the secret of boiling syrup to just the right consistency. Now the spring maple ritual has expanded to include the March Maple Weekends.

The open houses run from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m., but early birds will flock to Valley Road Maple Farm for fluffy pancakes, drizzled with pure maple syrup, beginning at 9. Cheryl Kenyon, chairman of Maple Weekends in Thurman, says special plans for the weekends are still developing, and urges visitors to check the website www.Thurman-NY.com.

About the author: Persis (“Perky”) Granger is a cheerleader for the town, which she has called home for over thirty years. She has written two historical novels set in Thurman in the 1890s, “Adirondack Gold,” and its sequel, “A Summer of Strangers.” She hosts the Adirondack Mountain Writers’ Retreat, August 20-23, 2009. Learn more: www.PersisGranger.com.

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