Warwick Business Notebook for Oct. 5

Warwick - On Friday, Sept. 28, Jubilee Presents: Multi-Cultural Arts & Dance center, held a Grand Opening celebration and an all-weekend open house in its new studio at 87 Ronald Reagan Blvd. The modern studio, just off Kings Highway near Merchants Square, is only minutes away from Jubilee’s previous locations in Warwick and Sugar Loaf and offers the added convenience of ample and convenient parking close to the door. According to Director Judy Batista, Jubilee, established in 2003, is a venture created to introduce and host dancers, artist, musicians, and provide education in both traditional and contemporary multi-cultural and Latino art forms. “At Jubilee,” she said, “we believe that one of the many ways we unite is by sharing our culture through the artistic expressions of music and dance.” Batista and her husband, Rocco, a retired New York City firefighter, have lived in Warwick, where they raised their children, for over 18 years. “Jubilee was a life long dream,” said Batista. “And my husband Rocco has been an integral part of this dream. He used his carpentry skills every day to help lay the floors and build our beautiful new Center.” The new studio features a special floating dance floor, custom colors, original art, and full-length mirrors. “It’s an amazing place to exhibit our uniqueness, express our art forms, share our culture and heritage, learn about our neighbors, meet new people and dance, dance, dance.” Said Batista. Besides its new location, Batista stated that Jubilee is committed to having the best instructors in the area. “It’s a real powerhouse team,” she said. “And we’ve doubled up to take it to the next level.” Jubilee offers classes in ballroom and Latin dancing, hip-hop, salsa, Argentinean tango, belly dancing, folkloric dance, and specialty workshops for capoeira and ballet. “And that’s just our dance program,” said Batista who also praises Jubilee’s fitness and wellness programs including ZUMBA, Yoga, Pilates, and “Salsa Kids.” She added that the Center also offers classes in Latin music and percussion. “And we’re open to new ideas,” she said. “ We would love suggestions from the community. We’re more than just a school. We’re a real family.” Jubilee Presents’ dancers and musicians will appear at the Warwick Applefest this Sunday. For registration or more information call 987-4207 or visit www.jubileepresents.com Artists’ reception On Saturday, Sept. 15, Warwick’s popular artists’ gallery, formerly known as The Gallery at Port of Call and now the Gallery at The Country Life, 40 Main St., reopened with a show titled, “Bounty.” The first in a series of three shows hosted by Earth Angels, at “The Country Life Gallery” features the works of Hudson River Valley Artists Jennifer Lanne, a painter, and Jill Wiener of Earth Girl Pottery. “We are grateful to Ken and Debbie Kroslak for remodeling this gallery in their new store so that we can continue to feature the works of local area artists,” said Jen O’Connor, show hostess and owner of Earth Angels. The Gallery at The Country Life is now showcasing more than 180 original paintings and more than 80 pieces of pottery, all from the local area. Stained glass Sundog Stained Glass Studio in Sugar Loaf is now conducting new stained glass classes. Classes are ongoing until December. Students can sign up for six lessons at a time and for the first time all materials, glass and the use of the studio tools are included in the fee. The intention was not only to save money for the students but also to have a more unified way of teaching. Students can also purchase their own tools and materials at a discount. Call 469-7984 for more information, or visit www.sundogstainedglass.com New member Flordale Farms of Warwick recently became a new member of the American Angus Association reported John Crouch, executive vice president of the national breed registry organization in Saint Joseph, Missouri. The American Angus Association, with more than 34,000 active adult and junior members, is the largest beef cattle registry Association in the world. Its computerized records include detailed information on more than 14 million registered Angus. The Association records ancestral information and keeps production records on individual animals for its members. These permanent records help members select and mate the best animals in their herds to produce high quality, efficient breeding cattle, which are then recorded with the American Angus Association. The U.S. farmers and ranchers who raise high quality beef for U.S. consumption use most of these registered Angus. Home for the Holidays We’re only celebrating Applefest this weekend but, believe it or not, members of the Warwick Merchant Guild are already planning Home for the Holidays. They’re working on artwork, advertising and a calendar of events. Home for the Holidays, which begins just before Thanksgiving and ends after Christmas, is an annual celebration designed to present downtown Warwick as a fun and convenient place to do all your holiday shopping. “We want this celebration of Home for the Holidays to be bigger and better than ever,” said Merchant Guild President Mary Beth Schlechting. More to follow.