This week was brought to you by
The annual Santa Speedo Sprint is Saturday. Registration is at 11 am. The sprint is at 2 pm sharp. (Even if you're not running, tt's good to show up early so you can see everyone, talk, have a drink.)
This week was brought to you by high rollers, holiday wishes and visions of the Santas in Speedos dancing in our heads. AOA is excited to be a sponsor of Saturday's Annual event where scantily clad santas run up and down Lark Street. It's organized by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and it's good fun for a great cause -- the Albany Damien Center and the AIDS/HIV programs at Albany Medical Center.
This week also came to you courtesy of the great folks who advertise on AOA. They help us keep you in the loop on things interesting and important -- or just fun and delicious. You'l find a list of them below. Please check them out when you can.
If there's something you want to pass along to the AOA Crowd, we can help Just send us a note at advertising@alloveralbany.com.
Stuff to do
+The Arkell Museum's Holiday Gift Fair, December 8th from 11a.m. to 5p.m. Less than an hour from the Capital Region, the Arkell Museum has an impressive collection of American Paintings. Take in some art and get your holiday shopping done.
The Albany Symphony's annual Magic of Christmas concert, Saturday night at 7:30 and Sunday afternoon at 3pm at The Palace Theater in Albany.
The Mop and Bucket Improv Company -- where making stuff up isn't lying, it's a gift for fiction. You can catch them every Friday at 8pm Underground at Proctors, and soon they'll be performing every Saturday at The Comedy Works. Now playing: Spontaneous Broadway. Shows are based on audience suggestions, so every week there's something fresh and fun.
+The Breathing Room yoga space, classes in yoga, dance, pilates and more 399 Kenwood Ave Delmar.
+Troy Savings Bank Music Hall presents Celtic Christmas carols with Cherish the Ladies on Saturday December 15th.
+ The Hellions of Troy Roller Derby.
+ The Albany All Stars start their new roller derby season on January 19th.
Food and Drink
+Capital Wine and Spirits is having a big Winter Wonderlark sale -- Saturday only! Stock up on cheer for the holidays at Capitol Wine and Spirits. Wine tastings every Friday.
+Classe Catering can cater your holiday party. You can find their holiday catering specials here.
+Capital City Gastropub weekend specials include: Sweet Tree Farms house-smoked, pulled chicken; Berlin's Best rainbow chard tossed with buttermilk and horseradish, compressed sweet potatoes, Baby bok choy, grits, black sesame seeds and lingonberries ($12), Kilycoyne Farms beef bolognese, gnocchi, grana padano, bone marrow and herbs ($14)
+ The fall menu at The Wine Bar and Bistro on Lark includes yumminess like grilled short ribs au poivre with balsamic and mushroom confit and mussels in lobster broth with white wine and applewood bacon. Nom.
+ The Schenectady Greenmarket has moved indoors to Proctors for the winter season. Sundays from 10am to 2pm.
+Come on in from the cold and grab some lovin' from our ovens at New World Bistro Bar . Chef Zach offers his North African inspired slow roasted goat this weekend along with local Wanabea Farm's rabbit pot pie and an amazing Monkfish "Osso Bucco" with fennel and white beans. Thai Salmon Fritters and a roasted root vegetable latkes are great starters but be sure to save room for our amazing homemade desserts too! Don't miss our brunch on Sundays from 11-3pm, a good and proper way to end the weekend. Reservations suggested.
+The folks at City Beer Hall are now doing Saturday and Sunday brunch starting at 11AM.
+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.
+ Honest Weight Food Coop has all the best flavors of the season.
Helpful stuff
+Start planning your healthy resolutions for the new year with an affordable personal trainer from Healthy Concepts for Life.
+Capital District Physicians Health Plan, offereing Cafe Well, a social network to help you get well and stay well.
+ Best Cleaners will pick up and deliver your dry cleaning to your home or office at no extra charge.
Stuff to Try
The College of Saint Rose -- offering 52 graduate degrees to help you find a career.
+Albany Public Library's mobile app --find locations and hours, check your library card account, learn about upcoming events, download eBooks, audiobooks, music and more. Check ISBN barcodes on books, DVDs and CDs to see if the library owns what you're looking for.
+The Weekend MBA program at UAlbany. Get your MBA in 22 months, while you work.
The Arts Center for the Capital Region offers classes in everything from painting and sculpture to dance and music to cooking. Learn something new in the new year.
+ 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
Say Something!
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... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?