All Over Albany

This week was brought to you by

This week was brought to you by holiday lights, cool impressionist government art, flashbacks to visions of the future and dream parking garage makeovers.

And of course, we couldn't provide your Capital Region information fix without the support of a whole bunch of wonderful advertisers. Please remember them, during the holidays and year round, when you're looking for great places to shop, dine, take in a show or ways offer support to a local cause. This Sunday, you can support Historic Albany Foundation by visiting beautiful homes, decked out for the holidays on their annual Holiday House Tour. Sunday from Noon to 4pm.

If there's something you want to pass along to the AOA crowd, we can help get you started. It's easy and affordable. Just send us a note at advertising@alloveralbany.com.

Food and Drink

+Bombers, Wolff's, Sciortino's and The Olde English Pub and also (though not food related) Howes and Baum -- all enterprises of Matt Baumgartner -- sponsor of this year's AOA holiday decorations. Matt is sponsoring the display on behalf of The Starlight Foundation, an organization that provides toys, learning tools and joy to children with life threatening illnesses. You can help with a donation.

+New World Bistro Bar's annual New Year's Eve dinner is a delicious way to ring in 2014. This year, NWBB is offering two options: $65, 4 Course Dinner - OR - $100, 4 Course Dinner with Wine Pairings. Each course offers exciting options for everyone - big meat eaters, vegans and beyond. Entree highlights include:
+Wild Board Chop with tamarind-chipotle BBQ with blue potato tamale and lime glazed fancy-ass carrots
+Shellfish Paella in the Pan lobster tail, shrimp, scallops, clams and mussels with saffron scented rice, Mazanilla olives and soybeans
+Moroccan Phyllo Rolls with balsamic-maple sauce and cucumber-fauxgurt.
For the full menu and additional details, visit newworldbistrobar.com.Reservations do go quickly. Call (518) 694-0520. to make yours. Happy New Year!

+ The Cheese Traveler, introducing its new sandwich and panini menu --available Tuesday through Sunday beginning November 2nd. Sandwiches built on loaves sourced from Bonfiglio & Bread in Hudson and will feature a variety of high quality meats, cheeses, condiments, and other fine accompaniments. Offerings will change based on seasonal availability and inspiration, and can be enjoyed in-store or packaged to go.

Here's a menu sample:
Laguiole, Apple Peach & Apricot chutney (Rosebud Farms) $6.99
Toma Celena, Pawlett, smoked duck breast (Larchmont Charcuterie), black currant jam (Les Comtes de Provence) $7.99
Manchego Artesano, salchichon Iberico (Fermin) oil-cured olive tapenade $7.99

+El Loco Mexican Cafe, something for everyone, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten free menu items.

+Sweet Sue's of Troy, lunches, sweets and catering.

+ Mingle on Delaware Ave in Albany. Be on the lookout for Fin the Fishmonger's "Fin"-tastic specials, including fresh haddock fish tacos & pan-seared whole trout. Their chef will be using local products to create new specials daily to keep the menu fresh.

+Smith's Restaurant has great food in an historic building. You'll want to check out the bar--it's from Tammany Hall.

+Brown's Brewing-- a sponsor of the AOA BAd Boys, Broads and Bootleggers tour. Relax with a cask beer at the new Malt Room.

+ Honest Weight Food Coop's new location is now open with delicious local holiday flavors. Saturdays through Christmas they're hosting a weekly craft fair where you can purchases gifts from local artists.

+ The City Beer Hall, serving brunch starting at at 11 am on Saturday and Sunday.

Stuff to do

The Arkell Museum annual Holiday Gift Fair, Saturday, December 14 from 11am to 4pm.

+ The Holiday Toys and Trains exhibit is running through January 20 at miSci.

+ The Spectrum 8 Theaters.

+Advantage Transportation. They provided the pretty awesome party buses for the AOA Bad Boys, Broads and Bootleggers Tour, and they can provide limos, trolleys and party buses for your special occasion.

+ The Arts Center of the Capital Region offers a wide range of classes, from dance to wood working to digital illustration. You can register for spring classes today.

+Capital Rep, presenting A Christmas Carol now through December 22.

+The Mop & Bucket Company -- offering a full slate of classes throughout the year. Not a performer? Improv can help increase your creativity and openness in the workplace too. You can catch MopCo performances every Friday night at 8 pm at Proctors.

Stuff to learn

+Albany Law School.

+The College of Saint Rose, proud sponsor of the All Over Albany Tournament of Pizza. Offering 52 Graduate Programs with a purpose. Programs include: MFA in Creative writing, MBA, Computer Information Systems and more.

+ The Weekend MBA program at UAlbany. Get your MBA in 22 months, while you work.

Stuff to Try

+Urban Maker -- art, clothing, sculpture, jewelry and photography, made here in the Capital Region. Urban maker is currently seeking artists and crafters to sell their wares in this online local marketplace.

+The Lofts at Harmony Mills, Manhattan style loft living in the Capital Region.

+Choose Cohoes -- Tourism, dining, entertainment and shopping in the Spindle City.

+ 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 bar codes on books, DVDs and CDs to see if the library owns what you're looking for.

+ 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: Historic Albany