June 24, 2011
State Senate stalls on same-sex marriage and other major issues, pedestrian killed in Schenectady, video exposes fraud attempt, RPI experiment on last shuttle mission
The state Senate adjourned last night without taking up the high profile bills -- including same-sex marriage. The Marriage Equality Act is stuck in a tangle of late-session legislation that doesn't appear to clearing as fast as many had predicted. Democrats accused the Republican majority of "a complete work stoppage." The Senate is expected back in session this morning, to what effect is anyone's guess. Dean Skelos says the same-sex marriage bill won't be brought up until all the other major issues (tax cap, mandate reform, rent control) have been addressed. Liz Benjamin on the scene at the Capitol: "It doesn't help matters that the Capitol is increasingly feeling like a small country under siege, with poor ventilation, insufficient food stocks and overflowing garbage cans." [TU] [NYT] [AP/Troy Record] [State of Politics] [Daily Politics] [State of Politics]
Schenectady police say pedestrian was killed in Schenectady yesterday after a two-car collision caused the vehicles to veer off the street in Hamilton Hill (map). Another pedestrian was also hit and suffered minor injuries. [Fox23] [TU] [YNN]
Yesterday was Albany County sheriff James Campbell's last day on the job after 21 years. Undersheriff Craig Apple is taking over for the retiring sheriff on an interim basis -- and he's also the Democratic Party establishment's pick to run for the job in the fall. [CBS6] [TU]
The former pastor at a church in Albany alleges that the parents of a deacon accused of engaging in sexual conduct with two boys are blocking efforts to remove the deacon (map). [TU]
Stuff to do this weekend
The Solid Sound Festival -- and Wilco -- are back at MASS MoCA this weekend.
It's the first official weekend of summer. Yes, it's a little soggy, but you're not going to let that stop you. Right?
After the jump, our weekly list of stuff that looked like fun to us. Got something else in mind? Drop us a note in the comments.
And have a great weekend.
Same-sex marriage vote: corn-hold
The Daily Show takes on the state Senate's choice of issues to address.
And because we know you're hanging on every development in this state vegetable drama, contrary to that new report in the clip, only the Senate has voted in favor of corn. The grain (yes, not actually a vegetable) is backed by Republicans in the Democratic majority Assembly.
Change at St. Rose
The College of Saint Rose announced today that Mark Sullivan, its president since 1996, will be stepping down in August 2012.
Scouting the places beyond the pines
There were a few reports this week that pre-production crews for The Place Beyond the Pines, the movie starring Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper, were scouting locations around the Schenectady area.
Jason tweeted that the film's director, Derek Cianfrance, actually stopped by his house Thursday. And @BUNKRE shared the flyer a location scout had left on his house in the Old Niskayuna neighborhood. That's the flyer on the right -- there's a bigger version after the jump.
The flyer says crews are "tentatively scheduled" to film in the neighborhood sometime in September. And the description of the film:
Luke [Ryan Gosling] is a professional motorcycle rider who turns to bank robberies to support his newborn son. But when he crosses paths with a rookie police officer [Bradley Cooper] their violent confrontation spirals into a tense generational feud. THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES is a rich dramatic thriller that traces the intersecting lives of fathers and sons, cops and robbers, heroes and villains.
It's not any more far-fetched than Angelina Jolie jumping from trucks while being chased by the CIA with the Albany skyline in the background.
By the way: the name Schenectady comes from a Mohawk word that roughly means "beyond the pine plains."
Amazing
There's a remarkable story in the TU today about a young woman from Rwanda who's graduating from Duanesburg High School. She's made it through genocide, being smuggled out of the country in a suitcase, a refugee camp, and a bid for political asylum here in the US -- and she's thriving.
Finally, the discount we've been waiting for
We've generally steered clear of the group discount sites that have spread into the region over the last year. Maybe it's all the hype, or not really being interested in saving $15 on $30 at a place we'd probably never eat.
But today, well, we finally realized just how foolish we've been. The current Living Social deal for the Capital Region: 20 units of botox for $150. Wrinkle filler for $400. Or "laser liposuction" for $1000.
Thank goodness! Because when we inject botulinum toxin into our face, we never pay retail.
(On a side note: that's the screengrab from Living Social on the right. Despite the photo it doesn't mention any discounts on "augmentation." It would seem that would (un)naturally lend itself to a buy one, get one free offer.)
[via @JRathman]
Saratoga police chief suspended over sexting
Saratoga Springs public safety commissioner Richard Wirth announced today that police Christopher Cole will be suspended for one month without pay for sexting from his office in city hall. Wirth also reiterated his belief that Cole has done "a great job as chief of police." [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
Pasquale's is for sale
The two-time Tournament of Pizza champ.
Pasquale's -- two-time overall champ in the Tournament of Pizza -- is for sale.
We had a feeling the Albany restaurant was available after seeing a Craigslist posting earlier this month. And this week, Pasquale's owner Viktoria Gelag confirmed it.
New York Senate passes Marriage Equality Act, Andrew Cuomo signs it shortly after
A few scenes from the state Capitol Friday night.
The state Senate passed the Marriage Equality Act 33-29 Friday night.
Earlier in the evening, the Assembly passed amendments to the bill that included increased protections for religious organizations that choose not to participate in same-sex marriages.
Andrew Cuomo signed the bill shortly before midnight on Friday. It takes effect 30 days after his signature.
Recaps, quotes and pics from the vote after the jump...
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?