All Over Albany

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Parties, decorating, holiday craziness and lots and lots of local wishes.

If you're looking to fulfill some local gift wishes, you'll want to check out the list of AOA advertisers below.

Got something you'd like to advertise on AOA? It's easy and affordable. Email us at advertising@alloveralbany.com and we'll get you started.

Stuff to live in

17 Chapel Boutique Condominiums in downtown Albany still has a few condos available. You can check out their new model condo and see the furnished rooftop patio. A special tax discount from the City of Albany means that combined utility costs, homeowners fees and property taxes are as low as $250 per month.

Food and Drink

+Our Daily Eats -- serving up fresh basil pesto, roasted nuts and seeds. They also have four granolas. Available at the Delmar Farmers Market, Schenectady Greenmarket and the Empire State Plaza Wednesday Farmers Market. Local retailers are listed on their website.

+This is the last call for the fall menu at New World Bistro Bar. Come get your Pumpkin Hummus, Pork Carnitas, Prosciutto di Parma Wrapped Diver Scallops, and Peruvian Seafood Bowl now - because those items, and more, will disappear from the menu next week. As the Winter Solstice hits midweek, New World will debut new seasonal specialties - including Slow & Low Stuffed Calamari, Toulouse Cassolet, and South India Style Seafood Bowl. Some old favorites will make a comeback too... including Ric's Best Shrimp & Local Grits and the Vietnamese Salad (now also available vegan).

+New World Bistro Bar holiday hours are: Christmas Eve, 5-11pm. Christmas Day, no brunch, dinner served 5-9:30pm. New Year's Eve, 4-Course Prix Fixe Menu - $65/person, dinner served 4:30-10:30pm. New Year's Day, brunch & lunch 11am-3pm / lunch & tapas 3pm-5pm / dinner 5pm-9:30pm. Reservations at (518) 694-0520.

+ The Wine Bar and Bistro on Lark is now offering a five-course tasting menu with seatings at 6 and 9 pm Tuesday-Saturday. You'll need to make a reservation for those.

+ Capital Wine on State and Lark in Albany. They've got tastings every Friday night, so stop by on your way out to dinner. And they've got great tips on wine and food pairings.

+ Taste is serving holiday lunch buffets weekdays through December 23rd. This week's menu includes Creamy Wild Rice Soup accented with Maple Syrup, Cranberry Spinach Salad with Spiced Almods, Red Onions and Roasted Apple Vinaigrette, Chicken Pad Thai and Red Wine Braised Short Ribs.

+ Stop in at The Point for dinner on in the "Don Draper Room."

+ There are lots of great seasonal flavors waiting for you at Honest Weight Food Coop.

Stuff to do

Albany Dodgeball is looking for players. Join them any Thursday night at The Washington Avenue Armory.

Helpful stuff

+ Dorothy Tischler, an attorney with 24 years experience helping buyers and sellers in commercial and residential real estate.

+Recenter Square is ready to help you jump start your new year's resolution right now. They've got personal trainers, classes and there's off street parking.

+ Sunmark Federal Credit Union is partnering with Regional Food Bank to help distribute prepared and non perishable food. They're also temporarily easing the loan process to get cash to people who need to make repairs, necessities and clean up efforts.

+ Best Cleaners will pick up and deliver your dry cleaning to your home or office at no extra charge. They're now collecting coats and clothing to donate to The Food Pantries.

Stuff to Do

+The Hellions of Troy are celebrating their third year in the Capital Region.

+The Albany All Starsare getting prepped for their first bout of the new year -- January 7th at Washington Avenue Armory.

Stuff to Try

+ Get $250 off your 2011 website design and development from Brayton Graphics when you mention you came from AOA!

+ Get a FREE MONTH of Wink High Speed Internet Service from Tech Valley Communications. Enter this code when you sign up for service at: www.winkinternet.com: w1n87k0

Photo: Flicr user dtweney