Don Muller Gallery Receives Two Awards
NORTHAMPTON — The Don Muller Gallery recently received two awards for excellence from two organizations in the designer-jewelry and fine-crafts fields. In June, the gallery was named one of the Top 10 Designer Retailers at the fourth annual JCK Design Center Awards ceremony in Las Vegas. The award is based on three criteria: educating the consumer on the quality and value of designer jewelry, displaying and merchandising designer products, and committing to fair business practices. In August, Niche magazine’s Top Retailer Award was given to the gallery during the Buyers Market of American Craft, the nation’s largest wholesale craft show. The award recognized 30 craft retailers who are committed to growing and strengthening the North American crafts community.
Training Set on New Security Regulations
EAST LONGMEADOW — The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, (ACCGS), in conjunction with the East of the River 5 Town Chamber, are hosting a half-day training program for seven small businesses on the new Massachusetts Information Security Regulation M.G.L. 93H201CMR17, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2010. Peritus Security Partners LLC of East Longmeadow will provide the training. The grant for the training was provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through its Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and was administered by the ACCGS. For more information on the new regulation, contact Charles Christianson at Peritus, (413) 224-1237, or via e-mail at charlesc@peritussecurity.com.
MMWEC Adds Solar Photovoltaic Project
LUDLOW — Electricity produced with solar energy is powering part of the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (MMWEC) office building, which is drawing energy from the 48 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels recently installed at the Stony Brook Energy Center site. While the 9.6-kilowatt solar array is capable of meeting only a portion of MMWEC’s electricity needs, it is another new source of clean, renewable energy that offsets carbon-dioxide emissions, reduces fossil fuel consumption, and provides a measure of economic stimulus, according to Chief Executive Officer Ronald C. DeCurzio. The PV panels are manufactured by Evergreen Solar of Marlboro, the project’s electric current inverter is manufactured by Solectria Renewables of Lawrence, and the installation contractor is Allain & Sons of Danversport. All three are participating in an MMWEC program that provides services needed to develop solar-energy resources in communities served by the 40 Massachusetts municipal utilities. The roughly $70,000 cost of the MMWEC project is offset in part by a rebate from the Commonwealth Solar Program, an initiative of the Patrick Administration and the Mass. Renewable Energy Trust, intended to accelerate PV project development and spur growth of the solar industry in the state. Also, MMWEC is receiving a Commonwealth Solar rebate of $41,280 for its project, including a base incentive of $3.15/watt and incentive adders because the installation is for a public building and uses state-manufactured components. Operating data for the project can be seen online at www.solrenview.com.
Downtown Restaurants
to Support Shriners
SPRINGFIELD — Theodores’ Booze, Blues & BBQ, JT’s Sports Pub, and Big Mamou will partner together during September to raise money for Shriners Hospitals for Children. Throughout September, any time a particular menu item is purchased at one of the restaurants, a portion of each sale will be donated to Shriners.
Link to Libraries Receives Art League Grant
SPRINGFIELD — The Women’s Art League of Springfield has given an $800 grant to the nonprofit Link to Libraries. The Link to Libraries program distributes more than 400 new and gently used books each month to underserved public elementary schools and nonprofit organizations throughout Western Mass. and Northern Conn. The Women’s Art League made the donation as part of its mission to promote and support arts education among schools, organizations, groups, and individuals. For more information on donating books to Link to Libraries, visit www.linktolibraries.org.
Teresa’s Soul Food Opens in Downtown Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — Teresa and Keith Williams recently opened Teresa’s Soul Food Restaurant at 1677 Main St., promising a “good home-cooking atmosphere” in the downtown area. The couple opened the restaurant in early July, noting that, with all the diverse food restaurants in downtown Springfield, few restaurants offered “American southern soul food.” Carlos Gonzalez, president of the Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce, commended the couple for their confidence in the Springfield economy, and stressed that area residents must support local establishments to enhance the city’s economic growth.
