And reform the legislature.

Those were the recurring themes throughout Thursday night’s debate between Clifton Park’s James Whalen and Colonie’s Jennifer Whalen, 2 of the 3 candidates in the race to be the Republican opponent to face Democratic incumbent Assemblyman Bob Reilly in November’s election. Halfmoon’s Craig Hayner was unable to attend because of a business conflict.

Jennifer Whalen and James Whalen, no relation, participate in a debate for the Republican candidates for the 109th assembly district. Craig Hayner was unable to attend because of a business commitment.

“The legislature is dysfunctional,” Jennifer Whalen said.

Both stated new leaders were needed in Albany as the state faces a $9.2 billion budget deficit and the legislature can’t agree on a budget after missing its deadline by months.

“People feel our legislature has driven our state into the ground,” Jennifer Whalen said.

Both candidates said New Yorkers spend too much on education for what they are getting.

“We spend the most on our students per capita,” Jennifer Whalen said. James Whalen — no relation — agreed, pointing out New York spends more per student than any other state. (He added that the District of Columbia pays more.)

“We’re not getting our money’s worth at the end of the day,” he said.

Jennifer Whalen said one solution would be to have school districts merge, lessening the need for administrators.

But she said she didn’t think it was a good idea for fire districts and library districts to merge.

“People feel very sentimental and personal about their libraries,” she said. She added she favored a moratorium on unfunded mandates “rather than going after our libraries and our police forces or fire departments.”

James Whalen said consolidation should be considered if it would save costs.

“It’s a very difficult emotional issue for a lot of people,” he said. “We need to overcome that sentimentalism and that localism.”

Still, he said, it’s not one size fits all. For example, with Colonie having as big a population as it does, “a local police force might work best for them.”

In other points:

• Both said a state constitutional convention could help produce a better-functioning government.
• Both agreed it would help the budget to move from a defined-benefit to a defined-contribution retirement plan for state employees.
• Both said they couldn’t mind seeing mixed-martial arts — which Reilly opposes — be allowed in the state.

In fact, Jennifer Whalen said there wasn’t much to debate with her primary opponents as they agreed on a lot of the issues.

“I look forward to a debate with Bob Reilly,” Jennifer Whalen said.

For more information:

• Craig Hayner for the 109th NYS Assembly
• James Whalen for Assembly
• Jennifer Whalen for Assembly

Newman-Plotnick, who volunteers at animal adoption clinics, feared Duke wouldn’t find a home because he has only 3 legs. For over a month, Newman-Plotnick had been watching Duke at Saratoga County Animal Shelter Annex in Clifton Park Center, where he also volunteers.

So on Fathers Day — a day after Newman-Plotnick and his family volunteered at Pet-A-Palooza — they adopted Duke. Little did they know that it would be a historical event for the shelter annex. Duke was its 500th cat to find a forever home.

Sam Newman-Plotnick holds camera-shy Duke, the 500th cat adopted from the Saratoga County Animal Shelter Annex at Clifton Park Center.

“We’ve had another 65 (adoptions) since then,” said Jeanette Sparks, the annex’s head volunteer.

That’s bring the total to 565, not bad considering the annex just opened last September.

“By the time with get to our 1-year anniversary it is possible we will have gotten to 700 cats,” said Joette Aisenstat, one of the many Homes for Orphaned Pets Exists members who volunteers at the annex.

And it’s the volunteers who make the annex work. Not only are they there when the facility is open — allowing shoppers to look at and adopt the cats — but they are also there for a couple of hours each and every morning to feed the cats, clean the cages and provide some playtime for the felines.

“Even when there have been snowstorms I’ve come to work and found them here,” Clifton Park Center marketing director Susan Keegan said.

The annex came about because of a chance conversation between Sparks and the shopping center’s former marketing manager.

“I said, ‘We need a storefront for overflow cats,’” Sparks recalled. “And he replied, ‘We’ve been thinking about that.’”

The shopping center donates the space, the county animal shelter provides the cats and kittens, and volunteers do the work.

And cats like Duke gain the benefits. Now he’s settling in as 1 of 6 cats at his new Halfmoon home.

“I think he’s a little timid and scared sometimes,” said Deborah Newman, Newman-Plotnick’s mother. “He lost his leg somehow, so I think that has left him a little nervous.”

But don’t feel sorry for him.

“He’s really active,” said Newman-Plotnick’s older brother, Sam. “He can jump better than a lot of our cats with 4 legs.”

For more information:

• Saratoga County Animal Shelter, 6010 County Farm Road, Ballston Spa, 885.4113
• Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist (H.O.P.E.)
• Clifton Park Center, 22 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park, 371.7010

Ezick devotes the majority of his practice to commercial litigation, insurance coverage issues, the defense of medical malpractice, personal injury and civil rights litigation. An “of counsel” attorney is one who is employed by a law firm to assist in litigation without becoming a partner or associate.

Randall Ezick

Ezick has more than 35 years of experience handling complex commercial litigation, insurance coverage issues, product liability, medical malpractice, personal injury and appellate work.

“He brings tremendous depth of expertise to the firm,” Maguire said, “and we are privileged to have him as part of our team.”

Ezick, who was born in Syracuse, comes to DKMC from Featherstonhaugh, Wiley & Clyne.

He began his career as an associate at Carter, Conboy, Bardwell & Case in 1974 and became a partner with the firm in 1978. After 16 years with that firm, Ezick became a shareholder with the firm of Roemer & Featherstonhaugh in 1990.

In 1995 he became general counsel to the Lawrence Group, a vertically integrated company with a national insurance underwriting and agency network. In 1997 he joined the firm of Featherstonhaugh, Conway, Wiley & Clyne of counsel.

Ezick is a graduate of SUNY Oneonta and Albany Law School, where he was an editor of the Albany Law Review, a member of the Justinian Society and graduated cum laude. He is admitted to practice in all New York state courts and before the United States District Courts for the Northern, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, as well as the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

He is a member of the Albany County and New York State bar associations.

For more information:

• D’Agostino, Krackeler, Maguire & Cardona, 16 Sage Estate, Menands, 434.9807

“I’m a fiscal hawk, a budget hawk, somebody who’s been thinking about this all my life,” Murphy said while announcing he would seek reelection during the the grand opening of his campaign headquarters next to Office Max in The Crossing. “We’ve got to balance our balance budget. We’ve got to be responsible.”

Chris Gibson, Republican challenger to Rep. Scott Murphy, tells a crowd at his Clifton Park office that targeted tax cuts, regulatory reform and repealing and replacing the health-care bill will improve the economy.

Both stressed their supported for small businesses.

“When they are more profitable we know they are going to capitalize, they’ll buy new equipment, and they’ll also expand. And they’ll hire new workers,” Gibson said.

“They’re a lot of places where small businesses like the kind that I ran run into red tape and bureaucracy and rules that are out of date that slow us down,” Murphy said, citing his work to remove a federal law preventing banks from paying interest on business checking accounts.

Each expressed concern about the economy.

“I don’t need to tell you times are tough. Too many of our neighbors are out of work,” said Gibson, who added he supported extending unemployment benefits but thought that Congress should have found a way to pay for them without increasing the deficit.

“My dad spent a good portion of 1978 and ’79 out of work,” he said. “We need to be aggressive in creating jobs.”

“We’ve got a tough recession out there,” Murphy said. “That’s what we need to be working on.”

Gibson said the solution to the economic woes were “targeted tax and regulatory relief” and “to repeal and replace that health-care bill with a new one.”

“More bottom line for our small business owners with more in the pocket with ordinary Americans, and that’s what’s going to grow our economy,” he said.

While Murphy talked about regulatory relief, he also spoke of the need to improve infrastructure and education.

“There are places … I think where you absolutely have to have government supporting and helping. Where’s that? That’s in our education,” he said. “Education is not going to happen without public investment, public support. And we aren’t going to have innovation and the 21st century jobs that we need if we have a strong educated workforce.”

For more information:

• Chris Gibson for Congress, 839 Route 146, Clifton Park, 758.2440
• Scott Murphy for Congress, 54 The Crossing Boulevard, Clifton Park, 788.8939

The celebration will start 4 p.m. and will include light refreshments. Special guests will include Army, Ginger, Mittens, Bucky and Duke — the cats that were adopted at the hundred marks.

“This milestone is a significant achievement for the shelter and for all of the county’s homeless cats that now have forever homes,” animal shelter supervisor Daniel Butler said. “I want to thank the many patrons, adopters, mall management, and most importantly, the hardworking volunteers who have made this day possible. The annex would not be possible without them.”

In 2009, the Shelter was given the opportunity by Clifton Park Center to have a storefront annex allowing cat adoptions off-site from the main shelter.

Volunteers staff the annex from 6-8:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday, from 1-8:30 p.m. Saturday and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

“The annex is a great resource for Southern Saratoga County residents to be able to easily see and adopt cats,” said Halfmoon supervisor Mindy Wormuth, chair of the county Board of Supervisors’ public safety committee. “The county is grateful to Clifton Park Center for this space donation and looks forward to continuing operations here into the future.”

For more information:

• Saratoga County Animal Shelter, 6010 County Farm Road, Ballston Spa, 885.4113
• Clifton Park Center, 22 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park, 371.7010

This can be accomplished by years of practice, the right equipment, personal coaches and even more practice. But what if there was something that was preventing a golfer from performing optimally?

Research confirms the importance of postural balance on effective biomechanical results. That’s right, good posture lets your muscles and joints work better. Think of it this way:

If you head is too far forward (your earlobe should be in line with the front of your shoulder) it will throw off your balance because more weight is in front of your body. This is usually accompanied by “rounded shoulders” where your chest muscles become tight and cause your shoulders to move forward and your back muscles to become stretched and weakened. All this can cause your calf muscles to tighten up because they are trying to keep you from falling over.

What can this mean for your golf swing?

Imagine getting into your golf stance. Focus on what your calves and toes are doing. Are they working to keep your body from going forward? If that is happening, can you imagine how that is taking away from your swing and accuracy? As soon as you swing your body has to adjust so you can keep balanced.

The problem is that many people with poor posture are used to this and don’t even realize that it is occurring. Because many of us are used to it, it is hard to associate it with poor performance (or other problems like headaches, back pain, neck pain and the like).

What about the case for the “stiff” neck, or the neck which has lost its full and normal range of motion?
Here’s an exercise for you. Gently pull your shoulders back and turn your head to the left as far as comfortably possible. You should be able to see somewhat behind your shoulder (without cheating and moving your shoulders forward). Do the same thing on the right side.

Is your range of motion even? Do you feel any neck pain or tightness? Normal active range of motion turning for your neck is 70-80 degrees. Anything less may suggest that you have a muscle or joint issue.

Now keep your head facing straight ahead and turn your torso so that your left shoulder is in line with your chin. Do the same thing for the right side. This is the same as the first exercise, but this one resembles more of a golfer’s swing. Can you see how an issue with your neck can affect your swing?

This usually translates into the ball not going as far and also a less accurate shot because your arms and elbows pulling more to compensate for the decrease in neck movement.

You can take the above example of decreased motion or pain in your neck and apply if to your low back:

Get in your golf swing stance and pretend hitting a ball with your golf club. Hold your position after your follow-through and look at the position of your knees, hips, low back and torso. As you swing your chest is facing one direction, and when you are done hitting the ball did you notice that your chest was facing the opposite direction?

This also contributes to distance and accuracy. This is why it is very important for your joints and spine to be working properly for maximum performance, not to mention decrease in injury rate

All the personal coaching, practice and expensive equipment in the world are not enough to compensate for these types of issues.

What can be done to fix them?

1. Improve/restore range of motion. This can be done with gentle and appropriate stretching exercises. Believe it or not, you can stretch the wrong way.
2. Improve function. This is accomplished by specific strengthening exercises that not only make your muscles stronger, but train them in the way needed for them to increase function and performance.
3. Get your joints moving better.
4. Stabilize your foundation. There might be an issue with the arches in your feet that is causing everything else to become imbalanced.

Some of this can be accomplished on your own, but the question you must ask yourself is: “Am I doing this right?” There is a fine line between the right way — which will give you positive benefit — and the wrong way — which will do nothing but waste time, cause frustration or even worse injury or decreased performance.

A chiropractor can help you with the 4 steps above. We are trained to increase joint mobility, improve your body’s function, stabilize and balance your muscles and joints, improve range of motion and get your body working as efficiently and optimally as possible.

Chiropractic care is very safe, effective and affordable, and the improvements are measurable.

If you would like a free assessment of the above 4 goals feel free to give my office a call.

Antonio Marotta D.C. is a Clifton Park chiropractor.

For more information:

• Marotta Health and Wellness Chiropractic, 939 Route 146 Suite 230, Clifton Park, 357.3347
• Dr. Marotta’s Facebook page
• The importance of a well-aligned body to your golf game

That’s one of the things Clifton Park Center merchants like about the shopping center’s annual sidewalk sale. The event officially starts Friday, though some stores have set their tables out early.

“Having tables set up outside is a great visual that attracts customers,” ta-da! owner Michael Richman said. “People walking into the mall entrance see them, stop and look and a lot of times walk into the store.”

Although the Clifton Park Center annual sidewalk sale officially starts Friday, Karalina's gave early birds a jump on things by starting Wednesday.

“Yesterday we sold more regular-priced clothing then we did in a while,” Karalina’s co-owner Terry Irish said. “After looking at the sale racks, they would come inside and do more shopping.”

Not that shoppers weren’t walking away with bargains.

“When people can pick up a designer collar for $5 they’re pretty happy,” Sloppy Kisses co-owner Eugene Dallas said.

“It basically an opportunity to pass on savings to our customers,” said Richman, who added shoppers can expect to find extra good deals on end-of-season items.

For Sloppy Kisses, the sale is big enough that the store is bringing in merchandise from its Saratoga Springs location.

“It’s something the mall does a good job of advertising,” Irish said. “We’ve always done well during it.”

On Friday, the event will even coincide with another promotion — twilight shopping. Several of the stores with an outdoor entrance are open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and they will have special deals between 6-9 along with drawings for gift certificates and other prizes.

“Each week it’s been better and better,” Bella Rouge owner Lisa Zibella said about the later hours. “It’s really starting to build.”

In other Clifton Park Center news, The Meat House — an upscale butcher shop that also offers other gourmet food items and wine — will be opening in November next to Metro Mattress. The company currently has locations in 8 states, including one in the Wilton Plaza off Exit 15.

For more information:

• Clifton Park Center, 22 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park, 371.7010
• Twilight shopping deals and contests for July 23-24
• Sloppy Kisses, 22 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park, 383.0103
• Karalina’s, 22 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park, 382.0292
• Bella Rouge, 22 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park, 373.9500
• New York Toy & Hobby, 22 Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park, 371.8820
• ta-da!, 22 Clifton Park Center Road #22, Clifton Park, 348.1881
• The Meat House

But there’s also a con side to the coffee cup.

Pros

Boosts antioxidant levels: Coffee is a source of dietary antioxidants called polyphenols, which keep disease-causing free radical chemicals from damaging cells. “Both caffeinated and decaf versions appear to provide similar antioxidant levels,” according to researchers (Nutr Today 2005;40:245).

Minimizes inflammation: A study published in May 2006 shows that imbibing an average of 1-3 cups of coffee a day might inhibit inflammation and thereby “reduce the risk of cardiovascular and other inflammatory diseases in postmenopausal women.” (Am J Clin Nutr 2006;83:1039.) The researchers did not differentiate between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee.

The 15-year analysis, which included 410,235 postmenopausal women, also proved the theory that “more” is not always “better.” The researchers noted that drinking more than 3 cups of coffee per day did not significantly increase the brew’s anti-inflammatory benefits.

Enhances well-being: According to Dr. Peter Martin of Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Institute for Coffee Studies, “Work in the mid-1980s suggested that chlorogenic acids (chemicals in coffee) might have an effect on the opiate system in the brain. They may have antidepressant effects, which would make some sense because we know that drinking coffee gives people a sense of well-being. It’s possible that these or other components of coffee may have an effect on reducing alcohol dependency.”

The plant hormone trigonelline, another anti-carcinogenic property found in coffee, might also have a sedative effect on the brain.

Curtails cirrhosis: Consuming just 1 cup of coffee each day can slash a person’s risk of developing alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis by more than 20%. And because the link appears to have nothing to do with caffeine, it doesn’t matter whether you choose the leaded or unleaded version.

The 22-year analysis included 125,580 people whose medical history included the use of alcohol. Of the
group, 330 developed cirrhosis of the liver.

“Tea consumption had no effect on the risk of alcohol-associated liver cirrhosis, making it likely that a component of coffee other than caffeine is responsible.” (Arch Intern Med 2006;166:1190-5.)

The researchers also found that each additional daily cup cut the risk of alcohol-associated cirrhosis by 22%, though it did not reduce the risk of other types of cirrhosis.

Prevents post-workout soreness: The caffeine in coffee “improves performance and endurance during prolonged, exhaustive exercise. To a lesser degree it also enhances short-term high-intensity athletic performance.” (Curr Sports Med Rep 2003;2:213-9.)

But that’s not all. Studies show 1-2 cups of caffeinated coffee prior to exertion might prevent post-workout aches and pains.

Reduces Parkinson’s risk: In a 30-year study of 8,004 Japanese-American men, coffee drinkers enjoyed a 3- to 6-fold reduced risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, compared with noncoffee drinkers. Caffeine intake from noncoffee sources was also associated with a reduced risk (JAMA 2000;283:2674).

Bolsters glucose tolerance: Drinking 2 or more cups of coffee a day is associated with better glucose tolerance and a “substantially lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in diverse populations in Europe, the US and Japan.” (Diabetes Care 2006;29:398.) This conclusion was based on a study of 88,259 women between 26-46 with no history of diabetes.

Researchers also noted that decaffeinated coffee was just as effective as caffeinated. This study is just one of many highlighting coffee’s protective effect against developing Type 2 diabetes.

Based on information gathered from more than 125,000 men and women, researchers in Australia concluded that “women who drank 6 or more cups of coffee a day had a 30% lower chance of developing Type 2 diabetes than those who did not drink coffee at all. Men who drank more than 6 cups of caffeinated coffee each day had a 50% lower chance compared to noncoffee drinkers.” (Aust Nurs J 2004:11:31.)

Cons

Insomnia and acidity: Caffeine can have a detrimental effect on sleep quality. Its diuretic (promotes water loss) and laxative effects can keep you dashing to the bathroom all night.

To offset the acidity created in the body, 64 ounces of water should be consumed per day for each cup of coffee consumed. Diseases only exist in acidic body environments.

Drug-rebound headaches: Coffee can stop a headache dead in its tracks. In fact, caffeine is a common ingredient in many headache medications. But its long-term use may spark chronic “drug-rebound” headaches. “Excessive caffeine consumption, mostly in the form of coffee and tea, is a well-recognized cause of headache and migraine.” (Cephalalgia 2003:23:332-5.)

Bone fracture: In a 10-year study of 31,527 Swedish women, researchers determined that drinking 4 cups of caffeinated coffee a day “significantly increased the risk of fracture, whereas tea drinking was not associated with risk.” (Osteoporos Int 2006;17:1055-64.) Research shows that minerals can leach out of bones to neutralize acid from the coffee.

Glaucoma concern: It’s not unusual for ophthalmologists to instruct patients with glaucoma to avoid caffeinated coffee and other caffeine products. The reason, according to researchers, is that caffeine raises pressure inside the eye (Ann Pharmacother 2002;36:992-5).

High-risk pregnancy: According to researchers who analyzed more than 18,400 women, “Compared to pregnant women who didn’t drink any coffee, those who drank 4-7 cups daily had an 80% increased risk of stillbirth, and those who drank 8 cups or more increased their risk threefold.” (RN 2003;66:98.)

Caffeinated coffee consumption among pregnant women is also linked to a decrease in birth weight among infants. In a study of 2,291 women, those who regularly drank caffeinated coffee delivered lower-weight babies. Decaffeinated coffee, however, did not affect infant weight outcomes (Am J Epidemiol 2003;157:456-66).

Caffeinated vs. decaffeinated: By now, you are probably saying to yourself, “The problem with coffee seems to center more on its caffeine status than the brew itself.” And you’re right.

But decaf can pose hidden health risks as well because of the chemical process employed to remove caffeine. The procedure, developed in 1900 by a German chemist, involves exposing green coffee beans to “steam and solvent in a rotating drum. The solvent absorbs the caffeine and more steam is used to wash out the caffeine-bearing solvent.” (Patient Care 1986;20:179)

Over the years, a number of chemicals have been used only to be discontinued because they were proven to cause cancer. Today the industry standard is methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. And while their safety, according to researchers, has “never been questioned,” many health experts remain skeptical.

There is good news, however, for those who want to avoid caffeine and chemicals. There are chemical-free decaffeination processes available.

For instance, the Swiss water process, which uses an 8-hour water filtration system, is 100% chemical-free. To determine if your coffee of choice is chemically or naturally decaffeinated, check its label.

Cream and sugar? Cream? Sugar? Syrups? Artificial sweeteners? These additions can counteract coffee’s potential health benefits.

Cream is packed with calories and fat. And even lower-fat dairy options, such as skim milk or any milk product, can contain synthetic growth hormones and antibiotics. So opt for organic dairy products or organic soy alternatives.

The syrups in many “designer” coffee drinks are loaded with sugar and artificial chemicals. Sugar substitutes like aspartame (in blue packets called Equal, Nutrasweet, Canderel and now AminoSweet) and sucralose (yellow packets, Splenda), pink packets (Sweet’n’Low, saccharin sweeteners) also carry health risks. Aspartame, for instance was previously listed by the Pentagon as a biochemical warfare agent!

For a healthier option, try honey or melting a small square of dark organic chocolate (at least 60% cocoa) into your brew.

John Ferguson D.C. is a wellness chiropractor in Clifton Park and a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

For more information:

• Ferguson Family Chiropractic, 54 Crossing Blvd. Suite H (behind the clock tower), Clifton Park, 383.5595
• Ferguson Family Chiropractic Facebook page
• International Chiropractic Pediatric Association
• Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company, 3131 Lake City Way, Burnaby BC, 800.668.9981
• Aspartame dangers and side effects

They’re also often the maneuvers that cause the bumps and the bruises during practice.

That’s why the Albany Figure Skating Club is trying to raise the money to purchase a jump harness for the Clifton Park Ice Arena.

“When you’re training kids, it helps them so much,” said coach Glenn Ziehnert, who works with the skating club in addition to running Ziehnert Skating School. “They’re able to get their jumps so much quicker and so much safer.”

The Albany Figure Skating Club is competing for a $5,000 Pepsi Refresh Project grant to buy a jump harness for the Clifton Park Ice Arena.

“A lot of kids wind up getting frustrated and drop out,” said Vincent Smentkowski, who is leading the club’s fundraising efforts.

That’s why Ziehnert — whose skaters have competed in the Olympic trials — calls a harness an essential piece of coaching equipment.

The only problem is a harness costs close to $5,000 to buy and install, and with the economy still hurting, fundraising is going slow.

Enter Pepsi.

This year the soft-drink giant decided to skip Super Bowl ads and instead use the money to provide $1.3 million a month in grants to be awarded by web voting. The skating club is competing for 1 of this month’s 10 $5,000 Pepsi Refresh Project grants. (Pepsi also offers $25,000, $50,000 and $250,000 grants.)

Just making the ballot was an accomplishment. The online submission process opens at midnight on the first of each month, and the spots go quickly. It took the club 3 tries to make it this far.

“The first month I tried to apply all of the spots were filled by 4 minutes after midnight,” Smentkowski said. “I had to learn how to time it.”

Although the Albany club is buying the harness, it will be available to all of the figure skaters training at the ice arena.

“The Clifton Park facility is great, but unfortunately this is one item they don’t have,” Smentkowski said.

The harness uses cables and pulleys to hold the skaters while they are practicing their jumps.

“The coach essentially winds up lifting the students in the air,” Smentkowski said.

Ziehnert said with a harness skaters can start learning jumps as young as 5.

“When they’re little it’s a fun thing for them,” he said. “They think it’s like flying.”

To vote for the grant:

For more information:

• Pepsi Refresh Project
• Albany Figure Skating Club
• Clifton Park Ice Arena, 16 Clifton Common Blvd., Clifton Park, 383.5440
• Ziehnert Skating School, 265.4242

The free event allows residents from Clifton Park, Halfmoon, Malta and Waterford to dispose of their hazardous household items such as oil-based paint, florescent lights, propane tanks and electronics at the drop-off site on Ray Road just west of Mary Jane Roe Dog Park.

Latex paint will not be accepted. Instead, residents should allow the paint to dry out and then dispose of it normally.

Registration is available at the Clifton Park Town Hall, the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library and the town halls of the other participating towns. Clifton Park, Halfmoon and Waterford residents can also register online at the Clifton Park town website.

Malta residents can register at the Malta Town Complex, 2540 Route 9. They are required to pay a nominal registration fee to their town.

To register online, visit Clifton Park’s Hazardous Waste Day page at the town’s website.

Last year, 1,005 residents disposed of 92,155 pounds of electronics and over 2,500 gallons of hazardous waste.

Sponsors for this year’s Hazardous Waste Day include Mama’s Family Restaurant, Stewarts Shops, McDonald’s and Price Chopper.

For more information on Hazardous Waste Day, visit Clifton Park’s website or call town environmental specialist Michael Montague at 371-6651.

For more information:

• Clifton Park Hazardous Waste Day
• Town of Clifton Park, 1 Town Hall Plaza, Clifton Park, 371.6651
• Town of Halfmoon, 2 Halfmoon Town Plaza, Halfmoon, 371.7410
• Town of Malta, 2540 Route 9, Malta, 899.3434
• Village of Waterford, 65 Broad Street, Waterford, 235.9898