Business digest

Realtor can help homeowners facing foreclosure Central Valley - Jeannie Costanzo of Keller Williams Realty has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales. This is valuable expertise to offer at a time when the area is ravaged with homes in the foreclosure process. Short sales allow the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even though it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures. Costanzo can offer the homeowner much better alternatives to foreclosure, which virtually destroys the credit rating. She can be reached at Keller Williams Realty, 229 Route 32 in Central Valley, by calling 845-234-2220 or by e-mailing jeancostanzo@NUMBER1EXPERT.com. Alzheimer’s Association to host program Vails Gate — The Alzheimer’s Association will host an Orange County Socialization Program on Friday, April 8, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at New Harvest Christian Church, located at 1230 Route 94 in Vails Gate. These programs are for those with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia and family caregivers. This program provides an opportunity to socialize in a safe environment and to meet some new friends. Refreshments will be served. There is no charge for this program but pre-registration is required. To register, call Janet Troia at the Alzheimer’s Association at 695-2247. Blood donors to receive 'Heroes’ T-shirts Warwick — Community Blood Services is honoring its blood donors as “Heroes” for helping to save the lives of patients in its community hospitals with a “Heroes” T-shirt when they donate at the Warwick Middle School on Monday, April 4. All who donate that day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the bloodmobile at the school will receive a “One Hero at a Time” T-shirt as a thank you for taking time out of their busy schedules throughout the year to make lifesaving donations. Donors can schedule appointments at www.communitybloodservices.com or call 220-2030. Walk-ins are welcome. Plant sale concludes April 5 Middletown — The Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District is continuing with its 2011 Spring Tree & Shrub Seedling Sale. This is a fund raiser for the Conservation Office. Orders are due by April 5. Call 343-1873 or visit www.ocsoil.org to request an order form. GWL Library hosts Lyme disease discussion on April 7 Greenwood Lake — The Greenwood Lake Public Library continues its Healthy Living Series with “Healthy Living: Addressing Lyme Disease” featuring Holistic Practitioner Fran Sussman, on Thursday, April 7, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Sussman will discuss awareness, detection and treatment options for Lyme disease. The presentation will include a showing of the documentary “Under Our Skin.” A question and answer session will follow. Registration is required either in person or by phone at 477-8377, ext. 101 for this free adult program (Young adults grades 7 and up are also invited to attend.) The library is located at 79 Waterstone Road in Greenwood Lake.