Much of the talk of Nanotech manufacturing and research in the Capital District Tech Valley centers in Malta, NY (Fab 8, AMD Global Foundries), and UAlbany College of Nanotechnology. We might also think of RPI and the research and development going on there. But let's not forget the Watervliet Arsenal! The Arsenal, originally built in 1813 to support the war of 1812 is the oldest continuously active arsenal in the country and is now the home of over 15 private companies - many of them in the nanotech, semiconductor sector.

The newest tenant, Cleveland Polymer, is moving from Elmira, NY to take 30,000 SF of space in Building 125 so it can be close to its East Coast customer base, including the Albany College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering. Another company, Vistec Lithography, moved into the building several years ago from Cambridge, England, to be closer to the NanoCollege.

Later this month, according to the Times Union, M+W, US, a company building the Fab 8 Global Foundries chip plant in Malta, NY, will be relocating its headquarters from Texas to Building 125 at the Watervliet Arsenal, as well.

Utilitizing already existing buildings. Bringing more growth. More jobs.

Sounds good to me.

So, I just spent the past 2 days with some much needed away time in New York City!!

I have realized that I get to live in the BEST city in the world!! I can go from fast food, a Broadway show, a 5 star restaurant, champagne and cocktails and end the night with a "famous" place like SHAKE SHACK!! The following day spend a beyond amazing lunch in the Time Warner Building over looking Columbus Circle and Central Park and sat at the most amazing table there could ever be and the snow looked just perfect (except when i had to walk in it in my heels), surrounded by the most delicious bakeries and some of the most fabulous shopping and then shooting back Downtown to meet with friends for happy hour. I did all of this in 2 day and within walking distance or a 10 min cab ride. Best of all I was surrounded by the AMAZING Time Square bright lights, the vast amount of different cultures and the amazing architecture of buildings! JUST PERFECT!!

ahhh i just LOVE NEW YORK CITY .... oh yea and my career in Real Estate that allows me to do all these great things with amazing people!

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Verrazzano Bridge!

Butler Park Summer Concert Series

Butler Park Summer Concert Series

We really enjoyed going to Summerfest 2008 - but that doesn’t mean the music has stopped just because the rides have stopped running. Make sure you check out one of these concerts in the near future!

Butler Park Summer Concert Series 2008-

All concerts are sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Sand Lake, and the Albany Musicians Union.

Concerts are on the stage at Butler Park on Gettle Road near the Averill Park High School.

Performances run from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

8/3 The Reverberators

8/10 Cavanaugh & Kavanaugh

8/17 Karen Lee & Friends

8/24 Mixed Company

8/31 Big Band Night

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Habitat for Humanity's ReStore

One of my favorite places to go on a friday or saturday is the Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. The store, located at 454 N. Pearl Street in Albany, is only open to the public on fridays and saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm. But it’s worth blocking the time to make the trip - you will find dozens of cabinet sets, sinks, boxes of tiles, rolls of carpets, new paint, doors, windows, appliances, wallpaper remover, vintage wallpaper (my favorite!), pieces of decorative furniture and odds and ends. Yesterday, there was a gorgeous oak mantle for $90, a wood burning fireplace insert and one of those tubs that has a door (I didn’t catch prices on those!). They had a gorgeous slab of granite countertop with a sink cutout for $150. A very impressive wooden pillar for $100. Rolls of vintage 1940s-1970s wallpaper for $15-$30 each. There was even a stainless brand new wall oven for $200. I could go on and on …. it really is a candy store for DIY-lovin’ grownups.

Their rules are simple - no returns, no exchanges, and everything is sold as is. You buy it - it’s yours - unless you want to redonate it.

The ReStore gets most of their donations from builders who can donate unneeded materials (used or new) to reduce their waste costs, give customers a tax break, help the environment and the community. There is no cost to builders and the ReStore will even come pick everything up in one of their moving vans. All donations must be in an acceptable form.

And the money that they make goes to a great cause - for the fiscal year ending in June 2007, the store earned the local division of Habitat $75,698 (from their Annual Report). That money goes a long way towards their $1,169,459 expense budget.

Visit the Capital District Habitat for Humanity’s web site here. From the site:

Our mission is to ensure that everyone in our community has a decent, affordable home. That mission is made possible through partnerships and the generosity of our volunteers, sponsors, and donors and our Habitat Homeowners. Habitat for Humanity operates as a construction company; we build houses, as a bank; we offer 0% interest loans to Habitat qualified families to own their home; and, as a social service agency; serving in partnership our families over the term of the mortgage.

Directions to the Capital District Habitat for Humanity ReStore…

From Downtown Albany: Go north on Broadway. Turn left onto Van Woerst St. Van Woerst St. becomes No. Pearl St./NY-32. From Troy: Take I-787 South. Take exit 4A toward Colonie St./Columbia St. Turn right onto No. Ferry St. Turn right onto Broadway. Turn slight left onto Loudonville Rd. Turn sight right onto No. Pearl St./NY-32. From Delmar: Take I-787 No. Take exit 4. Keep right at fork in ramp (.2 miles), keep right at next fork in ramp (.2 miles), keep right at next fork in ramp (.1 miles), keep left at next fork in ramp (.3 miles). Turn right onto Broadway. Turn left onto Van Woert St. Van Woert St. becomes No. Pearl St./NY-32. The ReStore is located behind the offices at 454 No. Pearl St.

What is Keller Williams?

I am proud to be an associate with the Keller Williams Realty Capital District Market Center!

Although our Keller Williams Realty Capital District Market Center has been open for over a year now I still get the question - who is Keller Williams? Many people are surprised to learn that KW is actually the 4th largest company in the nation for brokerages. That’s right! Here is some more information about us …

ABOUT KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

Often, we judge the caliber of people by the company they keep – this is why I would like to tell you a little bit about Keller Williams Realty and my office within the Keller Williams system. Keller Williams® Realty was founded in Austin, Texas in 1983 with the specific premise that buyers and sellers deserve the best service for their real estate needs. For more than 17 years that founding premise has been a major factor in the continued growth of Keller Williams® across North America. Two visionaries lead Keller Williams® Realty – Gary Keller, founder and Chairman of the Board, and Mo Anderson, Chief Executive Officer.
Because each Keller Williams® Market Center has grown within its respective community, Keller Williams® real estate agents have intimate knowledge of each community’s character, mood, and growth potential. Due to the fact that the majority of Keller Williams® Associates live in the communities and neighborhoods they serve, they are eager and capable of tackling unique challenges that families encounter when selecting new homes.

At Keller Williams® Realty, we are Real Estate Consultants. We are not agents. We are not salespeople. What this means is that we build fiduciary relationships with our clients. A fiduciary is someone who represents your best interests.

We are a profit sharing company where associates are in partnership relationships with the owners; this means that everyone at Keller Williams® Realty wants your home to sell because everyone benefits.

The Keller Williams culture is based upon a belief system that is summed up by this acronym: WI4C2TS:

Win-Win, or no deal

Integrity, do the right thing

Commitment, in all things

Communication, seek first to understand

Creativity, ideas before results

Customers, always come first

Teamwork, together everyone achieves more

Trust, begins with honesty

Success, results through people