Business digest

New Harriman Golds gym preview next week HARRIMAN - The new Gold’s Gym on Route 17M in Harriman is closer to opening, with preview tours of the new facility taking place the week of April 18 for current and prospective members. Officials said the 28,000-square foot gym is scheduled to open the first week of May and will triple the size of the previous facility. Features will include cardio cinema equipment, group exercise featuring Zumba, yoga, step, Pilates and other classes, a sauna, steam room and personal training nutritional coaching options. To schedule a preview tour, call 782-4653. Planned Parenthood opens new center Newburgh — Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley recently celebrated the opening of its new larger health center at 136 Lake St. in the Lakeside Plaza in Newburgh. The new center has over 8,000 square feet and features a large waiting room, seven exam rooms and ample private parking to better serve its patients. Over 75 supporters and staff gathered to celebrate the event. “Our patients’ needs always come first and by consolidating our Newburgh and New Windsor health centers into one larger, more modern, secure facility we are able to provide the kind of care they have come to rely on,” said Ruth-Ellen Blodgett, president and CEO. In addition to providing health care services, Planned Parenthood has an on-site Education Office at the Newburgh Center where schools, community based organizations, parents and peer educators can arrange for medically-accurate, age-appropriate sexuality education programs. For an appointments, hours and/or directions, call 562-7800 or visit www.ppmhv.org. SUNY Orange and St. John’s ink agreement for cyber security degree MIDDLETOWN — SUNY Orange and St. John’s University recently formalized an agreement that paves the way for graduates of SUNY Orange’s new two-year cyber security degree program to acquire a bachelor’s degree in computer security systems from St. John’s in the minimum amount of time. The agreement also facilitates the transfer of credits to the computer science program at St. John’s for graduates of SUNY Orange’s Web development and computer science degree programs. In addition, students who graduate from SUNY Orange’s networking program will be able to transfer smoothly to the networking and telecommunications bachelor’s degree program at St. John’s. For information on SUNY Orange’s applied technology degree programs, visit www.sunyorange.edu/applied_technologies/. Economic Development Corp joins Committee to Save NY New Windsor — The Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation has joined the Committee to Save New York. The committee, at letsfixalbany.org,, supports a balanced budget for the state, a property tax cap and program and mandate reform, as Gov. Andrew Cuomo has included in his proposed state budget. Board members of HVEDC said the committee is doing important work to support the governor, and that sound fiscal policies in Albany are urgently needed to get more New Yorkers back to work and attract more businesses to all areas of the state. “It’s vital that we improve the business climate and the jobs picture in New York state,” said James W. Taylor Jr., president and CEO of Taylor Biomass Energy, LLC, and a board member of HVEDC. “I heard the governor’s inaugural speech, and his ideas about reinvigorating New York and bringing a new approach to Albany are refreshing.” “The current situation in Albany is unsustainable,” said Jonah Mandelbaum, another HVEDC board member and president of Warwick Properties, Inc. “New Yorkers of all ages will benefit when this state is on the right track again.” Realtor news Monroe - Rita Geissler was named February “Agent of the Month” for her sales performance by ARC Realty in Monroe. She has been a realtor for the past 26 years and is a member of the Orange County Association of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors, Greater Hudson Valley MLS, and the New York State Association of Realtors. She has consistently received the Orange County Excellence in Sales Award. Laborers Union recruits apprentices POUGHKEEPSIE — The Laborers Local Union #1000 is conducting a recruitment through Dec. 30, for three skilled construction craft laborer apprentices. Applications will be available at the Local Union #1000, 510 Haight Ave., Suite 101, Poughkeepsie, on Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period. Call Local Union #1000 at 471-2470. Sheet Metal Workers recruit apprentices BREWSTER — The Sheet Metal Workers Craft Training Fund Local Union # 38 is conducting a recruitment from March through Dec. 30 for 15 sheet metal worker apprentices. Applications can be obtained at Local Union # 38, 38 Starr Ridge Road, Brewster, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., from Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period. Call Local Union # 38 at 278-6983, ext. 110. Sports and Rec Expo at Helen Hayes Haverstraw — Helen Hayes Hospital will host its fourth annual Adapted Sports and Recreation Expo on Saturday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the physical rehabilitation hospital in West Haverstraw. Individuals with physical disabilities, as well as their family, friends and caregivers, and professionals and volunteers working with individuals with disabilities, will find the event to be a useful resource. The expo will feature an extensive exhibit fair with representatives from various organizations that offer a range of adapted sports and recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The event is free. For additional information or directions, call the Helen Hayes Hospital Public Relations Office at 786-4225. Deadline extended for Senior Citizens Awards GOSHEN — The Orange County Office for the Aging is taking nominations for the 2011 Orange County Senior Awards Program, until Friday, April 29. This extension is being made because inclement weather disrupted the regular meeting schedules of many senior and civic organizations, the source of most nominations. The Office for the Aging is looking for county residents age 60+ who truly deserve to be recognized for their achievements as outstanding citizens because they have volunteered their time and talents to better their community. Awards will be made in two categories: “Orange County Senior Citizen of the Year” and “Outstanding Contribution by a Senior.” Award winners are announced in May by County Executive Edward A. Diana and will be honored at a luncheon hosted by the Orange County Senior Citizen Council, and at the June meeting of the Orange County Legislature. Those wishing to receive a nomination form or more information should call the Orange County Office for the Aging at 615-3700, or download an application at www.orangecountygov.com/departments/Office for the Aging/ Senior Awards. College to host Earth Day celebration Middletown — SUNY Orange will hold its annual Earth Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, on the Alumni Green of the college’s Middletown campus and inside Kaplan Hall on the Newburgh campus. Visitors can sample from various informational tables ranging from the popular “Ask a Master Gardener” to a solar panel demonstration, student clubs’ green projects, “buy-local” food information, recycling, ride sharing and water conservation. Admission is free. In the case of inclement weather, the Middletown event will be moved indoors to the Shepard Student Center. For more information, call 341-4118.