All Over Albany

A quick recap of the week

Here are a few highlights from the past week on AOA:

+ Martin was back on the Sunday Soapbox, talking about why he loves -- and hates -- the Empire State Plaza.

+ Akum went browsing at Historic Albany's Architectural Parts Warehouse.

+ Did you know the local media were bristling with excitement over Sandra Lee? Oh, they weren't? Someone tell New York Magazine.

+ Eat this: the macchiato at Caffe Vero.

+ Neil shared some good photos from the Tour de Troy cycling race.

+ Akum felt the burn at hot yoga. (By the way: hot yoga -- controversial. Who knew.)

+ Liz pulled together a list of upcoming races (you know, the kind in which you run, bike, or... tri).

+ What was up in the Neighborhood this week: economics, weights, lottery tickets, Parker Posey, maple syrup, Kaaterskill Falls, Dinosaur disappointment, sweetbreads, wings, Ali Baba, the Jesus limo, Jimmer Mania, toll gates, and Rachael Ray.

+ Danielle went to a pole dancing class.

+ The Capital Region now has its own men's roller derby team.

+ Protesters "camped-in" at the Capitol during the budget votes.

+ A few of the items found on Craigslist this week: friendliness toward Vermonters, a range of expectations, and a Troy Slapshots jersey.

+ The seven local winners of the $319 million Mega Millions jackpot were revealed.

+ The State Street Station diner in Schenectady offers "only a little bit" of Polish food.

+ A local theater company has put together an ambitious production of Rent at The Egg.

+ Liz shared five spots to check out on the Upper Union Street strip in Schenectady.

+ We asked WNYT meteorologist Jason Gough: what happened to the Icy, Snowy Apocalypse we were all promised?

And here are a whole bunch of photos from the AOA birthday party. Thanks again to everyone who celebrated with us.

If you'd just like the whole week unfiltered, check our listing of the last seven days of AOA.

Thanks to everyone who posted a comment or shared an idea this week!

Tour de Troy photo: Neil Grabowsky