Drawing: Wine & Dine for the Arts gala tickets
Drawing's closed! Winner's been emailed!
The annual Wine & Dine for the Arts food and wine festival in downtown Albany starts January 14. The multi-day event includes tastings, chefs and restaurants, seminars, and competitions for sliders, baristas, and bartenders.
The grand gala reception and six-course dinner that Saturday night is sold out -- but we have a pair of tickets for it. And we're giving them away.
To enter the drawing, please answer this question in the comments:
What is your 2016 resolution for the Capital Region?
It could be big, it could be small. It could be for yourself, it could be the area generally. We'll pick one person at random.
Though tickets for the gala are sold out, tickets for the festivals other events are still available -- including the mayor's opening celebration at Albany City Hall that Thursday, the grand tastings on Friday and Saturday, the Slider Slam on Friday, and the barista competition pairing coffee and donuts on Saturday.
Important: All comments must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Friday, January 8, 2016 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 Monday and must respond by noon on Tuesday, January 12.
AOA is a media sponsor of Wine & Dine for the Arts.
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
Run a mile every day!
... said gmf on Jan 7, 2016 at 11:05 AM | link
Try more new, local restaurants....and give them more than one chance!
... said Moe on Jan 7, 2016 at 11:20 AM | link
I'm going to get out and try to do more stuff in 2016 than I did in 2015! There are so many new places to eat!
... said Albany Jane on Jan 7, 2016 at 11:23 AM | link
See more live theater and hear more live music!
... said Su on Jan 7, 2016 at 11:38 AM | link
To take better advantage of the wonderful state parks and outdoor events that we're lucky enough to be so close to. For Christmas we got a family membership to the Adirondack Mountain Club and an Empire Pass.
To kick off our resolution, we went for the New Years Day hike at Mt Greylock which, while a bit treacherous in spots, was a great way to spend the first day of 2016.
... said Cmaxby on Jan 7, 2016 at 11:42 AM | link
Pick one of my fancy cookbooks and cook my way through it one page at a time, until it is complete. In doing so it will force me to try new foods and gain more skills.
... said Nyssa on Jan 7, 2016 at 11:46 AM | link
I want to convince Nippertown to start publishing a hard copy paper to replace Metroland!
... said Bill Howe on Jan 7, 2016 at 11:58 AM | link
Cook Pho...including making a 48-hour beef broth
... said Tooter on Jan 7, 2016 at 12:02 PM | link
My resolution is to get out and do more local stuff! farmer's markets, museums, concerts... supporting local endeavors just plain old feels good!
... said Eric Adams on Jan 7, 2016 at 12:03 PM | link
To figure out how I can get even more involved with my neighborhood. I love where I live and would enjoy meeting more people, committing to acknowledging those people I see everyday, and maybe some clean-up projects as well (the same dirty diaper has been just off the sidewalk for months...)
... said Katie on Jan 7, 2016 at 12:07 PM | link
To make the Capital Region more bike friendly and to see more bikers on the roadways.
... said Shawn on Jan 7, 2016 at 12:11 PM | link
I would love to see something great move into Justins.
... said Jenny on Jan 7, 2016 at 12:13 PM | link
Try to spend more time in Lake George this summer.
... said Evan on Jan 7, 2016 at 12:19 PM | link
Check out more of the restaurants in Troy.
... said Kelly on Jan 7, 2016 at 12:23 PM | link
Complain less, do more!
... said Ashley on Jan 7, 2016 at 12:29 PM | link
To get more involved in the region and the local community - to take advantage of more local events, get involved with charities, join new activities and community groups.
... said linz on Jan 7, 2016 at 12:33 PM | link
To smile or say hi to people I see when taking a walk.
... said colleen on Jan 7, 2016 at 12:50 PM | link
Take more neighborhood photos pf Albany.
... said Jamie on Jan 7, 2016 at 12:55 PM | link
This is both a personal and capital region resolution. I want to visit and eat at more locally owned businesses, no more overrated franchises. If I want to see the area grow, I have to do my part and support them. With that I want more locally owned businesses, shops, restaurants, etc to come to the area.
... said Amy on Jan 7, 2016 at 1:03 PM | link
I resolve to be a booster for Albany - and present it in a positive light to everyone, especially the naysayers and negative nancys.
... said Jenna on Jan 7, 2016 at 1:06 PM | link
Just get outside and enjoy nature more often!
... said naomi on Jan 7, 2016 at 1:38 PM | link
I'd like to win an AOA drawing this year!
... said Dan on Jan 7, 2016 at 1:57 PM | link
To be more of an adult and be better with finances
... said Jordan on Jan 7, 2016 at 2:15 PM | link
More designated bike lanes! Thanks.
... said amanda on Jan 7, 2016 at 2:15 PM | link
A better Lark Street
... said Matt on Jan 7, 2016 at 2:18 PM | link
To be able to speak up and not hesitate standing up for oneself!
... said Vicky on Jan 7, 2016 at 2:29 PM | link
More kindness
... said E. on Jan 7, 2016 at 2:49 PM | link
More local small businesses and restaurants. And more concerts!
... said Megan on Jan 7, 2016 at 3:00 PM | link
More live music and theatre in the awesome capital region venues
... said Ry on Jan 7, 2016 at 3:03 PM | link
Resolution 2016-To Enjoy Troy, and all of its wonderful offerings, but to also be involved in organizations that help those that have been forgotten about in Troy. The downtown area is getting better every day, however the rest of the city needs to be revived as well!
... said Megan on Jan 7, 2016 at 3:10 PM | link
Volunteer more!
... said Rick on Jan 7, 2016 at 3:22 PM | link
Listen more. Not just to other people, but I want more music and to hear more stories.
... said Maeve on Jan 7, 2016 at 3:29 PM | link
To go to as many local events as possible regardless of the weather!
... said connie on Jan 7, 2016 at 3:33 PM | link
Talk less, listen more.
... said JLD on Jan 7, 2016 at 4:31 PM | link
Eat at Ala Shanghai and Tanpopo.
... said Ali on Jan 7, 2016 at 5:15 PM | link
Go to every NY brewery.
... said tallguyy on Jan 7, 2016 at 6:05 PM | link
Not be so hard on myself!
... said EC on Jan 7, 2016 at 7:06 PM | link
Do more in downtown Albany.
... said derryX on Jan 7, 2016 at 7:50 PM | link
If i win the lottery invite Mary & Gregg to dinner at 677 Prime!
... said mg on Jan 7, 2016 at 7:55 PM | link
More eye contact and smiling at any pedestrian who is sharing the sidewalk and happens to be looking up from their phone.
... said yodielee on Jan 7, 2016 at 8:30 PM | link
Experiencing more of the Capital Region wining/dining/adventurous side....there is a lot to explore
... said Mia on Jan 7, 2016 at 8:52 PM | link
Do yoga.
... said Theresa on Jan 7, 2016 at 9:17 PM | link
Go see more local live music
... said Jbird on Jan 7, 2016 at 11:41 PM | link
I challenged myself to take a photo-a-day for the year. Each day has a different theme. Project366 - It's a Leap Year!
... said Rich R on Jan 8, 2016 at 1:38 AM | link
Utilize more area parks and trails.
... said mg on Jan 8, 2016 at 5:20 AM | link
Capital region should but more art in the new year.
... said Dave on Jan 8, 2016 at 6:44 AM | link
I would love to start volunteering more! Just be more kind and helpful in general.
... said Shari on Jan 8, 2016 at 6:51 AM | link
My 2016 Capital Region resolution is to shop more often (monthly, if not weekly) at local farmer's markets. Healthy eating and shopping local!!
... said Debi on Jan 8, 2016 at 7:18 AM | link
To find a bigger and better space to call home in Center Square or the surrounding area.
... said Shannon on Jan 8, 2016 at 8:49 AM | link
My 2016 resolution and hope for the Capitol Region is that it develops a taxi transportation system that is safer and more reliable with fair, consistent rates and more oversight. (Maybe then I can finally have an unplanned night out in Troy without fear that I will be forever stranded across the river).
... said Nicole on Jan 8, 2016 at 8:59 AM | link
Try all the new local restaurants!
... said CMac on Jan 8, 2016 at 10:40 AM | link
To stop at every yellow light I encounter!
... said Silvia Meder Lilly on Jan 8, 2016 at 10:48 AM | link
My resolution for the capital region is to be kind and to encourage kindness in others. We live in a great place, we just need to appreciate it and each other more.
... said Kate on Jan 8, 2016 at 10:49 AM | link
Go on more "city hikes" through Albany.
... said Abe on Jan 8, 2016 at 11:03 AM | link
Sometimes after work I need a "third" place ie not home/not work to go to decompress. I'd like to work up the nerve (or skill?) to go have a drink by myself if I don't have a friend to meet up with. People in England do it at pubs all the time and I want in!
... said Rebecca on Jan 8, 2016 at 11:29 AM | link
Be more mindful to use/create less waste
... said RMH on Jan 8, 2016 at 11:32 AM | link
To explore more outdoor areas in the Capital Region
... said Matt on Jan 8, 2016 at 11:43 AM | link
Can we all be just a little nicer to each other? Step back, take and breath and think before you complain to people?
... said Melanie M. on Jan 8, 2016 at 11:46 AM | link
Road diet.
... said Ed on Jan 8, 2016 at 12:58 PM | link
To do something kind or useful for someone every day.
... said Melissa on Jan 8, 2016 at 1:30 PM | link
Peace and tolerance for all. All lives matter.
... said llcwine on Jan 8, 2016 at 1:41 PM | link
To practice one act of kindness to another human being every day and keeping a journal of my actions.
... said Nancy on Jan 8, 2016 at 2:19 PM | link
I want to start hiking in the Adirondacks. Lot's of my friends do it, and I think I should take advantage of this wonderful resource we have right in our backyard. I already like the outdoors, and exercise, so it seems like the perfect fit.
... said Nick on Jan 8, 2016 at 2:55 PM | link
I vow to finally get current with 'Shameless' - I've been seasons behind for seasons, 'cause who has time for TV?
... said capgirl on Jan 8, 2016 at 3:05 PM | link
Be mindful, kind, generous, active and optimistic
... said Bob Gumson on Jan 8, 2016 at 3:16 PM | link
Eat more locally. Try new local restaurants and make full use of the farmer's markets in all seasons!
... said Barbara on Jan 8, 2016 at 3:39 PM | link
Walk more so I can better observe, more deeply reflect, and hopefully somewhat understand.
... said ace on Jan 8, 2016 at 3:59 PM | link
Cook more!
... said Julie on Jan 8, 2016 at 4:11 PM | link
To walk more, drive less, and maybe even bike to work a few times in 2016.
... said Ellen on Jan 8, 2016 at 4:13 PM | link
To take advantage of Troy! I've lived there since July and have yet to take advantage of all the great things it has to offer
... said acw on Jan 8, 2016 at 5:09 PM | link
really listen to people more when they talk, and eating better :)
... said daf on Jan 8, 2016 at 6:44 PM | link
Continuation of the development of downtown Albany! It would be nice to see some affordable condos for those that can't spend 300,000.
... said Crystal on Jan 8, 2016 at 6:58 PM | link
No more cookies.
... said Jennifer on Jan 8, 2016 at 11:36 PM | link
Be friendly to strangers in the hopes of slowly building a stronger, more positive community.
... said Jackie on Jan 9, 2016 at 12:09 PM | link