October 17, 2012
Jennings: Albany may need to rethink convention center, Cuomo: no legislative pay raises until min. wage hike, Battle of Saratoga hero honored in NYC
At an address to the Albany/Colonie Regional Chamber of commerce on Tuesday, Jerry Jennings said the city may need to rethink the scale of the proposed convention center because, " It's unrealistic for us to think that the state is going free up a quarter of a billion dollars" for the project. [TU]
According to a soon to be released State Comptrollers audit of the SUNY system,
millions of dollars in Research Foundation money have been "mishandled,misspent or misused"- in one case, so badly that the Albany County D.A.'s office has been notified. [TU]
Last night's earthquake in Portland Maine was felt in parts of the Capital Reigon. [Fox 23]
Andrew Cuomo says there will be no legislative pay raises until there is a hike in the minimum wage. [Capitol Confidential]
Gravespotting Chester A. Arthur
Tucked into Albany Rural Cemetery.
Let's face it: not all presidents were created equal. Like Hollywood or the NFL, the American executive lineage is a mixed bag of heralded superstars, shunned failures, and neglected bit players.
Just look at our currency for proof. Is it fair that Lincoln is on both the penny and the five? Maybe Ulysses S. Grant would like a little more face time outside the fifty. Sorry, Grant, but giving African-Americans protected voting rights via the Fifteenth Amendment isn't as epic as ending slavery, so it's just the one bill for you.
And don't get me started on all the stuff named after Washington in this country. The first guy to do anything always gets the lion's share of love. Meanwhile, Rutherford B. Hayes gets jack. The argument that Hayes did not have the same panache as Washington is almost acceptable until you gaze upon the absolutely scrumptious beard the former kept during his reign as president. 'Twas a follicle forest that continues to shame any growth spotted in today's hipster enclaves.
Disparity of popularity between the presidents is also evident in their respective grave sites. The Capital Region boasts a shining example in the grave of Chester A. Arthur, which is tucked deep into the Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands.
"Spiraling swiftly with maximum vigor..."
Given the ongoing court case over whether Nite Moves in Latham should should be exempt from paying taxes on dances because they're arts performances, Vice sent a writer to judge the artist merit of the work at the club. Notes John Figlesthaler: "What elevated Destiny's presence to soaring heights was the astounding, fine-tuned acrobatic display that she exhibited. Becoming one with the pole as she confidently shed the constraints of gravity, the level of control that this temptress possesses is clearly a careful unity of natural talent and dedicated study." Probably NSFW, obviously. From The Week: Stripper ballet titles (Thanks, Jess) [Vice] [The Week]
What's up in the Neighborhood
Among the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the State Education building, charity frustration, a guide to Saratoga Springs, pork disappointment, Van's, Pizza King, Vermont beer, a vineyard, the Cheese Traveler, brunch, daddy magic, watching football, dinner for two, short reviews, old Scotia, Buy Buy Baby, people talking to themselves, and The Tinkle Shop.
Saying "I do," but not there
Liberty Ridge Farm in Schaghticoke -- a farm, events, and general fall agritainment venue -- told a lesbian couple it couldn't get married there because it doesn't host same-sex marriages, reports WNYT. Kristi followed up with one of the farm's owners, who told her: "I just felt uncomfortable. Maybe I made a mistake in my initial response to them." Update: Here's the longer story from WNYT's Abby Bleck. [WNYT] [TU] [WNYT]
Release date for The Place Beyond the Pines
And, of course, it stars the Gosling.
There's now a release date for The Place Beyond the Pines: March 29, 2013.
The website for the film's distributor, Focus Films, notes Pines will be "in select theatres" on that date. That often means a film will initially be released only in a few large cities, with wider distribution later on. (It'd be appropriate, if not not necessarily likely, that Schenectady could be one of those early release cities.)
The Place Beyond the Pines -- which as you well know, was largely filmed in Schenectady in summer 2011 -- debuted a the Toronto Film Festival in September. The early reviews covered a wide range -- some were very positive (there were comparisons to The Godfather), others called it slow and and uneven.
West Wing
On the list of fall 2012 interns the White House released today: Altamont native Michael Diakiwski (a student at Georgetown University Law Center) and Loudonville native John Millock (went to Tufts). [White House press release]
TOP 2012: Round 2: Troy
Hello, Collar City. Round 2 of the 2012 Tournament of Pizza -- sponsored by Sunmark Federal Credit Union -- finds itself back in your warm embrace.
The pizzerias in this head-to-head matchup of veggie pizzas (green peppers, mushrooms, onions, black olives):
DeFazio's vs. I Love
How we got here: DeFazio's posted a big number in the Round 1 pool (78) and I Love joined it in advancing with a respectable score of its own (64).
DeFazio's has pretty much owned this bracket for the last few years -- can I Love end the domination?
Let's go back to the Arts Center of the Capital Region for the tasting...
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?