One of the best parts of my job is being involved with the community.

The involvement comes in a variety of ways -- talking with people on the phone, receiving emails and letters, partnering with local organizations, attending community events, and serving on a variety of area boards.

As a member of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce board of directors, I've gotten the chance to meet an amazing group of people, I've seen first-hand how hard people are working to promote and develop the Capital Region, and I've been able to attend many interesting programs that have benefited me professionally.

One of my favorite chamber programs is the annual "Meet the Mayors" breakfast. You get to hear what's happening in our local cities and villages from the leaders themselves.

This year's program, which will be on May 20 at the Hilton Garden Inn at 235 Hoosick St. in Troy, features Rensselaer Mayor Daniel Dwyer, Watervliet Mayor Mike Manning, Cohoes Mayor George Primeau, Troy Mayor Lou Rosamilia and Green Island Mayor Ellen McNulty-Ryan.

The schedule is 7:30 a.m. registration and breakfast with the program running from 8 to 9 a.m.

It's normally a lively session, with updates on economic development and a look at what's ahead for each municipality, and there'seven  time for your questions and answers. If you're interested in attending, call (518) 274-7020 or go to www.renscochamber.com

Despite winter's abrupt arrival Monday, hundreds of people turned out for the "Sneak Peek Open House" at the new Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in downtown Troy hosted by the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

What a fantastic event it was!

A certain restaurant critic I know and respect (our very own Bob Goepfert) had lunch at the restaurant Friday during one of the practice sessions held prior to Wednesday's grand opening and told me he had high expectations for the restaurant, but his meal managed to exceed all of his expectations.

How correct he was! My entire experience was top notch.

Monday night, the place was packed with jovial people ready to enjoy a night of good food, good music by Super 400 and good conversation.


From the moment I was greeted at the door by the Chamber's Laura Amos, Claudette Thornton and Kate Ollier until the moment the hostesses wished me good night, I had a terrific time.

Seen in the crowd conversing and juggling plates of delicious pulled pork, ribs, corn muffins and a variety of tasty side dishes were Record Publisher Jim Murphy and his wife Mary, Troy Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Sharon Smith, public relations consultant Chris Golden, Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, attorney E. Stewart Jones, Arts Center of the Capital Region's Amy Williams, TRIP's Patrick Madden, Record blogger and Troy Parks and Recreation employee Vito Ciccarelli and his son, attorney Mike Ginsberg of Pattison, Sampson, Ginsberg and Griffin, RPI's Charles Carletta, Mayor Harry Tutunjian and his spokesman Jeff Pirro, musician Ernie Williams, and former city of Troy spokesman Jeff Buell and Elizabeth Young, owner of Living Room Antiques and director of the Troy Downtown Collaborative.

Thanks to Linda Hillman, president of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, for sponsoring the event and for introducing me to John Stage, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que's co-founder. It gave me the opportunity to welcome John to the Collar City and wish him well.

Don't forget to check out the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que for yourself.

Dinosaurs may be extinct in the rest of the world, but the city of Troy is about to become home to its own dinosaur.

On Monday, about 300 regional business professionals, community and cultural leaders and public officials are expected at an invitation-only, "sneak-peak" for the new Dinosaur Bar-B-Que restaurant, according to Claudette Thornton, director of marketing and communications for the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, who is hosting the event.

My boss, Publisher Jim Murphy, and I were pleased to be invited to the event and we can't wait to check the newest business to locate along Troy's waterfront.