All Over Albany

Details in apparent Saratoga murder-suicide, Sheehan not a fan of proposed Albany city budget, what was that smell?, season of the skunk

Saratoga Springs police say a man killed his mother and then 12 hours later killed himself in their home (map). SSPD says 47-year-old John Ambrozak fatally stabbed his 75-year-old Patricia Ambrozak and then shot himself with a rifle. Police say it appears the deaths occurred on Monday -- they were found on Friday by an acquaintance. The Ambrozaks ran the Bayshores Tropic Hut on Saratoga Lake. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU]

As the state approaches the November election and a ballot question about approving full casinos in the state, a few profiles of people in the area who are addicted to gambling -- including a man who banned himself from the Saratoga Casino and Raceway, only later to sneak back in. A think tank -- the Institute for American Values -- has released a report critical of slot machines' effect on problem gambling and skeptical of the revenue gains casino supporters are touting in the state. [TU] [TU]

Many Capital Region municipalities haven't reviewed or updated their ethics rules for public officials since the 1970s, according to an analysis by the Times Union. [TU]

About 65,000 people used the state's new health exchange website to shop for health plan options in the four days since the website launched last Tuesday, according to the state Department of Health. [TU]

All around the Capital Region on Saturday: a mystery odor, which no one seems to have been able to identify. [TU]

Gazette articles continue be open-access because of a computer problem.

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My Exit: Dave and Bill

Bill on the left, Dave on the right.

Monday is My Exit day on WEXT -- the day when listeners get to program their own hour of music. It's a fun way to get a look at what's in someone else's collection, discover new music you didn't know about or even something old you liked but haven't heard in a while.

Tonight's DJs -- Dave and Bill -- dip into Motown, classic rock, jazz, and Zappa's take on Maurice Ravel.

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Drawing: Anne Rice in Saratoga

Drawing's closed! Winners have been emailed!

Anne Rice -- the popular author famous for her novels about vampires and werewolves -- will be in Saratoga Springs October 17 for an "authors in conversation" event, organized by the Northshire Bookstore. Rice has a new book: The Wolves of Midwinter. We have two pairs of tickets to the event -- and we're giving them away.

To enter the drawing, please answer this question in the comments:

If you were writing a gothic/fantasy/horror novel, what location in the Capital Region would you use in the book as a setting?

Non-redeemable bonus point for a short explanation of why that location would work well. We'll draw two winners at random -- each person will get a pair of tickets.

The Anne Rice event is at the Saratoga Hilton October 17 (a Thursday) at 7 pm. Rice will be interviewed by WAMC's Joe Donahue on stage. Rice will also be signing books. And Rice's son, author Christopher Rice, will be making an appearance. Tickets are $30 each (includes one copy of The Wolves of Midwinter), or $37.50 for two seats (and one book). The books will also be on sale at a 20 percent discount.

Important: All comments must be submitted by 11 pm on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by noon on Wednesday and must respond by noon am on Thursday, October 10. The tickets from this drawing do not include a copy of the book.

Beekeeper Lloyd Spear retiring

Lloyd Spear, the local farmers' market-famous beekeeper, is retiring from the retail business, according to a message posted on his Facebook page:

To our Loyal, Wonderful Customers:

I am 73 years old and need to reduce my workload, so I will no longer sell honey at farmers markets and other retail locations. October 31 will be our last day in operation.

I will still be selling bees and taking care of my approximately 200 hives. The honey will be sold in 60 pound buckets.

Thank you, thank you. We have tried hard to offer quality products, and your response has been truly wonderful. It has this decision extremely difficult.

Dr. Seuss says, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." Please join me.

With Gratitude,

Lloyd

Lloyd Spear honey has been a staple of farmers' markets in the Capital Region, where both Lloyd and his honey won many fans. Last year in an Eat This! for AOA, Daniel B. talked with Lloyd about his honey-producing process, and explained what set his honey apart from the stuff you usually find.

So... it's time smile -- and stock up.

Other local honey? With the news of Lloyd Spear's retirement, Christina asks via Facebook: "Any suggestions for other local honey retailers?"

Phantogram on Jimmy Fallon (video)

The clip from Phantogram's appearance on Jimmy Fallon Friday night is embedded above. They played "Black Out Days" from the new EP.

Announced last week: Phantogram will be playing a show at Upstate Concert Hall December 7. Tickets are now on sale -- they're $10.27 (for the first 102 tickets sold online through Ticketmaster) / $18 ahead / $20 day of. (As mentioned.)

Photos from The Historic Bad Boys, Broads and Bootleggers Tour 2

Duncan and Mary making sure the capabilities of the bus were used to the full extent. / photo: Erin Pihlaja

Thanks to everyone who came along the replayed/remixed Historic Bad Boys, Broads and Bootleggers Tour on Saturday. It was a lot of fun again, and we were able to mix in a few new things. A bunch of photos are after the jump.

Other ideas? We won't be running this tour again, at least not anytime soon. But we really like these sorts of events, and we get the impression you do, too. So... if you have ideas for other stuff like this you might like to see AOA work to get together, please let us know. We can't guarantee anything, but we're always open to suggestions.

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TOP2013: Round 2: Saratoga

The 2013 Tournament of Pizza -- sponsored by The College of Saint Rose -- loops back around to start Round 2 in the Saratoga bracket.

The pizzerias in this head-to-head matchup of veggie pizzas (green peppers, mushrooms, onions, black olives):

Pizza Works - Saratoga - winner of the Round 1 pool of new-to-the-tournament shops

Mama Mia's - Saratoga - not last year's bracket winner, but occupying the slot because last year's winner is no longer open (MM won the bracket in 2011)

Back to the Case Center on the campus of Skidmore College...

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