All Over Albany

The most popular items on AOA in 2011

At the end of each year we like to go the through the traffic stats on AOA to see which posts were most popular. It's a fun way to remember all the stuff that's happened.

So, here are the most popular items on AOA for each month during 2011...

January: Saints vs. The State for Washington Avenue
An interesting post by Akum about the Cathedral of All Saints in Albany -- and how the state Education Building ended up between the church and Washington Ave.
Also popular: The Capital Region's best diner breakfasts | It's winter. Your dog has pooped. What now?

February: The Giant Snowman of Guilderland
Sometimes we feel like we have a pretty good sense of what's going to popular. And then there's a giant snowman.
Also popular: The Deep Fried Hamburger at Swifty's | Drawing: Four course meal at Wine Bar and Bistro on Lark

March: Video of the Albany kegs and eggs riot
People like to gawk at disasters and mayhem.
Also popular: The highway that was almost buried under Washington Park | 28.5 facts about Jimmer Fredette

April: What is this hipster you speak of?
In which we asked: What is a hipster? Is there an Albany-specific hipster subtype?
Also popular: Confessions of an Albany ex-pat | Supermarket Showdown IV

May: The Sunmark Startup Grant
Lots of interest in the people who were competing for the $1,500 startup grant.
Also popular: Before we get a Wegmans or a Trader Joe's | Jennings to veto Albany chicken ordinance

June: To: Roy McDonald, From: Bombers and Matt Baumgartner, Re: marriage equality
Matt Baumgartner sent state senator Roy McDonald a message via billboard. McDonald would later change his position and become one of the key votes in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage in the state. McDonald's comments about why he changed his vote then went viral online.
Also popular: Wine-N-Diner no longer | Pick your own strawberry season 2011

July: Pioneer Market and the gentrification of the Collar City
Leah stirred things up in her assessment of the situation surrounding the faltering Troy co-op. Be sure to read Mike's response.
Also popular: Scouting the places beyond the pines

August: Photos of Irene flooding in Troy | Photos of Irene flooding in Schenectady
People are drawn to disasters.
Also popular: Earthquake!

September: Windham, after Irene
A photo log of the destruction left behind by Irene flooding in the Catskills town.
Also popular: Capital City Gastropub | ShopRite Niskayuna opening date

October: A first look at ShopRite Niskayuna
The Capital Region is a little supermarket obsessed.
Also popular: Firsthand accounts of the Latham Gold' Gym struggle | Capital Region income distribution | Tournament of Pizza 2011

November: An Albany dialect?
Lots of interesting discussion about whether there's an Albany accent or dialect.
Also popular: Arrests at Occupy Albany | Grilled cheese at All Good Bakers

December: He picked the wrong wallet
The story about UAlbany rugby player Michelle Williamson chasing down -- and pinning -- the guy who allegedly stole her wallet got a bunch of shares on Facebook. There seemed to be something about it that resonated with people -- a visceral thrill in hearing that someone just wasn't going to sti there and let it happen.
Also popular: Santa Speedo Sprint 2011 photos | The eviction of Occupy Albany

A quick note: We filtered out regular features such as the Neighborhood and Stuff To Do. Also, some things that are spread out over multiple posts -- like the Tournament of Pizza -- don't end up ranking as high as they would if totaled all together.