February 17, 2012
Deal on teacher evaluation system for the state, SCCC president apologizes for Chevrolet remark, group concerned about bobcat population, citywide open house in Schenectady
The Cuomo admin and the teachers unions have reached a deal on a teacher evaluation system for the state. The broad outline of the system: 60 percent of a teacher's rating will be based on direct evaluation of teachers, and 40 percent on the performance of a teacher's students. The lowest-rated teachers could be fired if they don't improve. The agreement moves the state closer to holding onto $700 million federal education aid. [Cuomo admin] [TU] [NYT]
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is calling for the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to investigate the situation at the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority. And the chair of the authority's board said yesterday it will be re-evaluating executive director Ed Sypchalski's salary. [TU] [Saratogian]
A former Working Families Party employee testified in the Troy ballot fraud trial yesterday that former councilman Michael LoPorto gave her about 30 sealed absentee ballots wrapped up in a newspaper (complete with a line about there being "some really good article in there"). She also testified that Democratic operatives suggested trying to make a secret deal with Republican operative Bob Mirch to make the scandal go away. [Troy Record] [WNYT]
As Albany County moves toward purchasing its family court building from a developer, there's some significant disagreement over how the building should be valued. [TU]
Minorities in Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady Counties are arrested, convicted, and sent to prison at rates much higher than their representation in the general population, according to a report from the Albany-based Center for Law and Justice. [TU]
Stuff to do this weekend
Brooklyn Qawwali Party, Saturday at Proctors
This weekend, honor your favorite president -- whoever that is -- by sleeping in, puttering around and doing some fun stuff for the next three days.
We've compiled a list of things going on this weekend that we thought you might want to know about. Got something else planned? Share with the rest of the group.
And whatever you're up to, have a fantastic weekend!
Scenes from the last day at the Miss Albany
A full house on the last day.
As you well know, the Miss Albany Diner closed last Friday. Photographer Julia Zave was there to document the final day of the local institution. And she was nice enough to share a handful of her photos with us. They're in large format after the jump.
A few of Julia's photos accompanied an article in Metroland this week by Amy Halloran about the closing of the diner. You should check it out -- Amy talked with owners Jane Brown and her son Bill about what they're planning to do next (one of those things: a Miss Albany cookbook).
By the way: You might know Julia from her concert photography. She also recently started doing lifestyle photography for clients.
Graphic design regional at ACG
The Albany Center Galleries has put out an open call for its first graphic design regional. From the blurbage: "Any design project printed, published or aired for the first time from January 2011 through February 2012 is eligible. Selected by a jury of leading design professionals, the winning entries will be featured in an exhibition during the month of April at Albany Center Gallery." Best in show gets $500. The submission deadline is March 19.
Lettuce, head, tomato, burger
From The Onion: "An Albany, New York man was surprised to find a human head in his Double Whopper at a local Burger King."
Heh.
[via @SarahGold]
Earlier on AOA:
+ Skidmore in The Onion
+ Free event in the park season in Niskayuna in The Onion
+ Brad Holbrook on the Onion
72 over 100
The city of Albany had 72 employees who were paid more thank $100,000 last year. Of course, many of those totals includes retirement payouts and overtime -- in one case, a police detective earned 2.5 times his base salary because of OT. [TU]
First Niagara/HSBC branch consolidation includes branch at Troy Music Hall
It's a bank. It's a music hall. It's currently both. And at the very least, will be a music hall going forward.
First Niagara has announced which bank branches it will be eliminating as part of its purchase of HSBC's upstate New York branches, first announced last August.
The bank is consolidating ten branches in the Capital Region's core counties -- split evenly between current HSBC locations and current First Niagra locations. In many cases, the branches are almost right next to each other. The list is after the jump.
On the consolidation list: the First Niagara branch in the bottom of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall building. So, what's that mean for the music hall?
MSG will be back soon, now with more Jeremy Lin
Time Warner and MSG have worked out their differences, and the MSG channel will return to the TWC TV lineup. Yep, that means you'll now be able to watch Jeremy Lin and Knicks. (Possible tragic outcome to all this: Lin's superpowers were somehow the result of not being on regional cable. Oh, no...) [NYT]
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Stuff to learn
The Arts Center of the Capital Region has classes in music, dance, theater, writing, art, and culinary arts. Get off the couch and check them out!
Endorphin Business Center will help teach you the tools to make your new idea or business a success.
Helpful stuff
+ 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.
Food and Drink
+ This weekend New World Bistro Bar will kick it up Cajun style with Mardi Gras themed specials to get you ready for Fat Tuesday. Specials will include:
-baked & stuffed oyster trio that includes the chef's own oysters Ric-a-Feller with spinach, Pernod, and Bearnaise.
-Cajun Peppered Shrimp... a house favorite!
-Crispy Fried Gator Bites... chomp, chomp!
-Big Cajun Bowls... options to choose from including Bayou Swamp Gumbo, Seitan & Vegan Gumbo, or Gulf Shrimp & Andouille Sausage Jambalaya.
-CAGE Blackened Catfish... with Louisiana Bearnaise, corn pudding, and collard greens
Mardi Gras dinner specials will run all weekend and on Fat Tuesday. Reservations suggested (518) 694 - 0520.
+ 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.
+ 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.
+ 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
+ The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall presents the String Fever, this Sunday afternoon at 3. $15-$32.
+ The Sisters Rosensweig continues this weekend at Capital Rep.
+ Albany Dodgeball is looking for players. Join them any Thursday nights at The Washington Avenue Armory.
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.
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: Flickr user barbtrek
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?