All Over Albany

A quick recap of the week

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

+ Sunday Soapbox: Rob Madeo had a postcard from Albany's Parking Lot District.

+ Brian posted video of Phantogram's show at RPI, song by song.

+ Carl told us about Albany's role in the creation of plastics -- and how billiard balls were involved.

+ Jeff asked about finding some sort of local hobby.

+ Bennett and Sebastien shared photos from the Tulip Festival.

+ We found out the most popular baby names in New York State last year.

+ Eat This: the sausage sandwich at Gus's in Watervliet.

+ Sara asked about finding a good doctor near Saratoga.

+ Akum talked with the owners of two local coffee shacks (you know, "shacks" in the affectionate sense).

+ What was up in the Neighborhood this week: garbage men, Troy, champagne, breaking up, comics, morels, french toast trauma, flying chicken, cold cheese, good pizza, and squirrels.

+ The Troy Bike Rescue is on the move.

+ A few of the items found on Craigslist this week: unfortunate references to motherhood, a stunning dog saver, popsicle fans, and tiny goats.

+ Everyone's favorite game: Can you guess the local municipality by the age distribution of its population?

+ The Alive at Five lineup for this summer is out.

+ Jerry Jennings vetoed the Albany backyard chickens ordinance (lots of quotes, statements, video). Here are a bunch of reaction tweets.

+ We talked with Laura and Perry, the owners of the 7th Ward House -- a former church in Albany's Delaware Ave neighborhood. It's now their house -- and they're looking to find a public use for the church space.

+ And we now have three finalists for the Sunmark Startup Grant!

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!

umbrella girl photo: Sebastien B