All Over Albany

This week was brought to you by...

This week was brought to you by tulips, tulips and more tulips.

It was also brought to you by AOA advertisers, including Nine Pin Cider Works. This Thursday, May 15, the Slidin' Dirty food truck with be at Nine Pin for an evening of Ciders & Sliders, starting at 4pm.

You'll find more of the advertisers that make AOA possible in the list below. Please patronize them when you can, and thank them for their support.

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.

Stuff to do

Classes
+ 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.

Laugh more
+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.

See a show
+The Troy Music Hall, presenting Red Molly, Friday, May 16.

Mummy mysteries
The Albany Institute of History and Art presents "The Mystery of the Albany Mummies," series through June 8.

Food and Drink

Patio Season
The patio at New World Bistro Bar will officially open on Friday, May 16th. The NWBB patio comfortably seats 18 in all types of weather. In nice weather, the warm breeze gently circles the dining area. On chiller nights ('cause let's face it, we're still in Upstate NY) the sides can be rolled down and heaters turned up to make it a nice, cozy spot to dine while you watch the passers by on Delaware Avneue. NWBB does not reserve patio space. The patio is seated nightly (and during Sunday brunch) on a first come first served basis - though reservations are always suggested to secure dining space in general. For more information or to make a reservation, call 518-694-0520.

Cheese
+ The Cheese Traveler, introducing its new sandwich and panini menu --available Tuesday through Sunday. 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

Kimchi fries
+ 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. Try the Kimchi fries.

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

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

Helpful stuff

Historic home help
Historic Albany's architectural parts warehouse -- the Capital Region's only not-for-profit architectural parts warehouse.

Taxes
April 15 has come and gone, but Staff Ciampino & Company, P.C. can still help you with your business and personal tax needs. They're also the sponsors of the All Over Albany Start Up Grant business contest.

Banking
Berkshire Bank, providing the $1,500 prize money for this year's AOA Startup Contest. Great rates on home equity loans.

Fitness goals
CDPHP, helping you reach your fitness goal for the 2014 Workplace Challenge

Stuff to learn

Libraries
The Albany Public Libraries. Their mobile app helps you find library locations and hours, check your library card account, learn about upcoming events, download eBooks, audiobooks, music and more. You can even check ISBN bar codes on books, DVDs and CDs to see if the library owns what you need.

Graduate 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.

Law School
Albany Law School

Stuff to Try

Local gift ideas
+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.

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

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

Internet Service
+ 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