Items tagged with 'people'

Tea with Jack McEneny

Jack McEneny and a Christmas tree

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Jack McEneny -- former state Assemblyman, unofficial Albany historian, and genuinely nice guy.

Jack visited the AOA downtown office for tea and a quick conversation. If AOA were continuing, we'd make this a regular feature, just because it's fun to spend time with Jack McEneny.

On this visit, he shared stories about getting into politics, his favorite job in his 48 years of public service, and what he thinks makes Albany a great place.

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Everything changes: AJ Jones

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AJ Jones

Everyone has a moment in life when things change. Sometimes we know it right away, other times we only recognize it looking back. With the turning of the year, we're taking some time to listen to people's stories about the moments that changed them, and what they've learned.

Many of us think there are things that we're good at -- things that are for us -- and things we're not good at. Those things are for other people.

AJ Jones is a student at Hudson Valley Community College. He started there as a home-schooler, working toward a GED, and then began working toward a degree in English. He was always a writer. Everyone said so. And he had no talent for art. He tried. He just wasn't good at it.

Then he took a chance and learned a lesson he shared with us.

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Everything changes: Rachel Person

Rachel Person

Rachel Person

Everyone has a moment in life when things change. Sometimes we know it right away, other times we only recognize it looking back. With the turning of the year, we're taking some time to listen to people's stories about the moments that changed them, and what they've learned.

Rachel Person has spent her life surrounded by stories.

From the time she was young, the Albany High alum has been passionate about books. She spent six years working at Symphony Space in New York City as the associate director of the public radio program Selected Shorts: A Celebration of the Short Story. And today she's the events and community outreach coordinator at Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga Springs.

Her life's work has been about sharing stories with others, in part because books, like people, can change your perspective -- which in turn can change your life.

We talked with Rachel about the childhood book series, and the person, who helped guide her in her youth and still helps her out in a pinch today.

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Everything changes: Taína Asili

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Artist Taína Asili

Everyone has a moment in life when things change. Sometimes we know it right away, other times we only recognize it looking back. With the turning of the year, we're taking some time to listen to people's stories about the moments that changed them, and what they've learned.

Taína Asili's work is hard to define. The internationally-known Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, documentary producer, bandleader, artist, and activist, who calls the Capital Region home, acknowledges that her work is unique. Influenced by Latin music, nueva canción, Afro-Latin, opera punk, flamenco, and rock n' roll, much of her music and art is connected to social justice issues and connects to the musical and artistic traditions of her ancestors.

From her earliest days, Asili says, there was never a time when she didn't identify as being a singer or an artist. But when you're forging your own path, when your style can't be easily defined, can be an incredible hurdle in a business that wants to package your work for sale.

In college, and for a few years after, Taina was part of a punk band, releasing albums and touring the world. But she felt like her voice had more to say than the punk genre would allow.

When her parents died -- and she herself was a single mom -- Asili says she went through a period where she felt lost. She traveled to Mexico where a trip to a town she never planned to visit set her back on her own unique path.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

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Among the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Christmas and love, the beauties of winter, Julius Wendt, becoming a driver, talking about the scary things, life with a toddler, a moral dilemma in the supermarket, remains of a cemetery, a milestone -- and many, many thanks.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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Everything changes: Michael McDermott

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State employee by day, Santa by night

Everyone has a moment in life when things change. Sometimes we know it right away, other times we only recognize it looking back. With the turning of the year, we're taking some time to listen to people's stories about the moments that changed them, and what they've learned.

By day, Michael McDermott works in training for the New York State Attorney General's Office, but for one month out of every year McDermott trades in his jacket and tie each night at 5 pm for a beard and red suit to play Saint Nicholas on Santa's Magical Express.

McDermott has become an expert in change. In a former life, he helped two publishing companies move from legal pads to computers, and he moved into a job helping state workers tackle change in their work lives. That was a temporary position and a few years ago he was left looking for work again.

Losing a job can seem like the end of the world, but for McDermott it ended up being a life saver -- literally. And it gave this part time Santa a new lease on life.

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Everything changes: Robyn DeSantis Ringler

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Robyn is the one on the left.

Everyone has a moment in life when things change. Sometimes we know it right away, other times we only recognize it looking back. With the turning of the year, we're taking some time to listen to people's stories about the moments that changed them, and what they've learned.

Robyn DeSantis Ringler began her career as a nurse in Washington DC in the early 1980s. Today, she's a lawyer, volunteering her time to help refugees being held at the Albany County jail.

The journey from nurse to activist to lawyer began with a VIP patient: President Ronald Reagan.

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Everything changes: Jonathan Lajas

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Mr. Lajas

Everyone has a moment in life when things change. Sometimes we know it right away, other times we only recognize it looking back. With the turning of the year, we're taking some time to listen to people's stories about the moments that changed them, and what they've learned.

Jonathan Lajas is known as Lajas to his friends -- and Mr. Lajas at the place where he spends most of his time: Albany Community Charter School.

Lajas is a social studies teacher, baseball and track coach, and mentor who says he "bleeds red and black," the school colors. He firmly believes the school has been a key part of bringing new focus to Albany's South End neighborhood.

He's also a dancer and performer who once chased Lin-Manuel Miranda into an elevator to get an audition for the tour of his musical In the Heights. Lajas says his passions are education and performance, and one of his goals is to start a performing arts high school in the Capital Region. He has a boundless energy and a love for his scholars.

Lajas's love for learning came later in life, after being introduced to the students and teachers at Albany Community Charter School. But his passion for performance, something he carries into the classroom every day, was influenced by someone he met in the eighth grade -- when he was sent to detention.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: a day in Troy, Thai food, pizza on the road, chili and chowder on Lark Street, tailgating at the Bills game, the baker's dozen, St. Paul's on Lancaster, William Seward, relaxing in the sauna, an attempted spa day, and a rainbow art piece.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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Everything changes: Alicia Lea

Alicia Lea

"I wanted to be accepted by everybody in all these groups. I wasn't pleasing myself. I was trying to please these other people."

Everyone has a moment in life when things change. Sometimes we know it right away, other times we only recognize it looking back. With the turning of the year, we're taking some time to listen to people's stories about the moments that changed them, and what they've learned.

When Alicia Lea was 16 years old, a high school guidance counselor told her that based on her age and family circumstances, she'd have more of a chance of becoming a pregnant teen than going to college.

"That made me angry," Lea said.

And it propelled her to put herself through HVCC and UAlbany. By day she was a model fine arts student -- but by night she was painting graffiti, living a double life that eventually fell apart. She got arrested, and ultimately learned valuable lessons about who she was as an artist and as a person.

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A bunch of photos from this year's Santa Speedo Sprint on Lark Street

Albany Santa Speedo Sprint 2018

People wearing all sorts of holiday-themed attire -- festive speedos, pajamas, costumes, formal wear -- dashed down Lark Street Saturday for charity as part of the annual Albany Santa Speedo Sprint.

The sprint -- now in its 13th year -- is always one of the goofiest, happiest events of the year. It's organized by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy, with the Albany All Stars Roller Derby, and is a fundraiser for the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at the Albany Medical Center. Jim Larson -- one of the organizers and the sprint captain -- said this year's event raised $19,000.

Here are many, many photos from this year...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Phelps Mountain in the snow, ice on the lake, donating children's books, Albany Cake, Utica Club, Greenway, Kirsten Gillibrand, John Sweeney, judging chili, pizza, Two Birds Marketplace, Gracie's Kitchen, and a big goal.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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A few of the 700some stories about the street names of Albany

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Morton was named after Washington Morton, husband of Cornelia Schuyler Morton. (He was the son-in-law of Philip Schuyler.) As for the other street... is that Hawk or Hawke?

There are 785 streets in the city of Albany. And Erik Schlimmer has figured out the backstory for the name of almost every one of them.

That monumental effort -- it took him four years -- is collected in the new book Cradle of the Union: A Street by Street History of New York's Capital City. (Mentioned earlier.) And the result is like a bag of local history potato chips. Once you snack on a few of the street name histories it's hard to stop.

"In all place names -- street, the town they live in, a mountain range, a stream, a pond, a building -- there's usually a story behind the name," Schlimmer told us this week when we met up with him. "And the story is usually pretty good."

Here are a few of those important or funny or surprising or sometimes dramatic stories...

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Chad Orzel: Breakfast With Einstein

Breakfast with Einstein Chad Orzel

Check it out: Union College physics professor/science writer Chad Orzel has a new book out today called Breakfast with Einstein: The Exotic Physics of Everyday Objects. Blurbage:

In Breakfast with Einstein, Chad Orzel illuminates the strange phenomena lurking just beneath the surface of our ordinary lives by digging into the surprisingly complicated physics involved in his (and anyone's) morning routine. Orzel, author of How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog, explores how quantum connects with everyday reality, and offers engaging, layperson-level explanations of the mind-bending ideas central to modern physics.
From the sun, alarm clocks, and the red glow of a toaster's hot filaments (the glow that launched quantum mechanics) to the chemistry of food aroma, a typical day is rich with examples of quantum weirdness. Breakfast with Einstein reveals the hidden physics all around us, and after reading this book, your ordinary mornings will never seem quite as ordinary again.

Orzel's previous book was Eureka: Discovering Your Inner Scientist . And How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog was a Jeopardy! answer earlier this year.

(We're now looking forward to Waking Up With Newton and an explanation of why it's so hard to get out of bed in the morning.*)

Orzel will be at The Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady this Saturday, December 15 for a signing from 1-2:30 pm.
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* Yep. That's a terrible inertia joke. Oof.

author photo via Oneworld Publications

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Albany's last Civil War veteran, suburbanization, shoes, mountain biking, NYC, a heron, dogs, tipping, soul food, brunch, lunch, cooking on TV, culinary tours, keeping the brokenness at bay, and recovery.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: The Celery King of Albany, the death of a dry agent, gold in those wheelbarrows, an appeal, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, a winter walk along the shore, the Marcus King Band, the only right answer to a gift question, favorite restaurants, breakfast spots, Genesee beers, egg tarts, risotto, and a stuffing incident.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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Michael DeMasi: What They Said

Michael DeMasi What They Said

Check it out: Longtime Capital Region journalist Michael DeMasi has a book coming out that's based on the many stories he's covered around this area.

Blurbage for What They Said: 25 Years of Telling Stories:

A salvager who bought downtown Albany's biggest, ugliest building. An Irish priest lifting spirits at a maximum-security prison. A wealthy socialite whose 40 dogs eat organic chicken. A laid-off farmhand temporarily working as a human billboard. An upstate New York mayor who became the Pied Piper of Guyanese immigrants. A friendly clock enthusiast named Smiley Lumpkin.
They are some of the people Michael DeMasi has interviewed during more than 25 years in journalism. He shares what they and many others said in this collection of his favorite stories.

Mike is an ace reporter for the Business Review, and before that for the Daily Gazette and Post-Star. He is also, in our experience, consistently friendly and supportive toward fellow local media members. (See his 2016 remembrance of Marv Cermak, whom he credits for demonstrating how you can compete with others and still be friendly.)

What They Said will be available to buy starting next week at Market Block Books in Troy, The Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady, and The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, and online the following week from Troy Book Makers and Amazon.

Updated: There are also a handful of events lined up:

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: a dinner delivery checklist, freeing up a seat, the Gravel Gobbler, the Hundred-Acre Woods, the bridge of the Enterprise, The Suffers, Melt N' Toast, Hank Hudson Brewing Company, deli meat, Dutch roots, Nicky's upper and lower, a family home, and marriage advice.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the Lady of the Grove, Gertrude Crissey Valentine, WWI, mail and railroads, lockdowns, Megyn Kelly, escarpment fungi, the Syracuse Half Marathon, tall Christmas trees, well prepared vegetables, a bakery, and flannel.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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Music break: Neighborhood of Make Believe

Something to listen to: "Track Names" by Neighborhood of Make Believe. It's embedded above.

The local orchestral folk rock act has a new album -- Two Nighttimes -- debuting November 16 on Five Kill Records. Blurbage:

Two Nighttimes, written slowly in the wake of a previous band's demise, looks forward and backward simultaneously. Frontman Alex Muro resorts to unlikely sources like the surrealist poetry of Vincente Alexandre or the no-stone-unturned history of Robert Caro to find ways to talk about personal questions. Attempting answers indirectly by painting pictures in words.

Neighborhood of Make Believe is Alex Muro, Adam Muro, Louis Apicello, Ryan Stewart, and Richard Nolan. (You might recognize some of the crew from Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned.)

The night of Friday, November 16 they're playing the annual B3nson Family Funsgiving at The Linda and The Low Beat in Albany. Joining them in the lineup: NXNES/Pink Noise, Oceantor, Bear Grass, Abyssmals, Groupie, Burly, and Secret Release.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the beginning of the end of the machine, 200 years in business, a short marriage, motorcycles, Faso/Delgado, locked down, the Saranac 6er relay, Bog Meadow, toddler activities, Phish, a musical, immigrants, choices, a bad customer, good pizza, Mexican food, Election Bread, and votes.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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"I've always wanted to be able to animate"

You might remember last month we shared a few beautiful animated shorts set in Albany that were created by local artist/animator Jordan McClendon.

And check it out: He and his work are being featured on the upcoming episode of WMHT's AHA! A House for Arts. The clip is embedded above. It includes McClendon talking about his career and some behind-the-scenes looks at how he creates the animations.

Fresh Neighborhood Market

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The Fresh Neighborhood Market -- a new corner grocery that's aiming to offer healthier options in Albany's West Hill neighborhood -- is now open on Judson Street near Clinton Ave.

Said owner Dileep Rathore when we stopped by this week to talk about the new store: "Come in, enjoy, and I hope I got it. And if I don't, I'll get it for you. I want to be a neighborhood deli."

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: feeling safe at religious services, not the enemy of the people, a threatening time that felt different, foliage, Sleepy Hollow, the South End, Dr. Woodbury's soap, Hoffman's Ferry, the joy of sports, tipping, pizza on the road, borek, salt potatoes, and a nice thing.

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The winner of the 2018 AOA Startup Grant is...

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The Dilly Bean's Abigail Rockmacher, Sleep in Heavenly Peace's James Welch, and Hannah Johnson and Ben Smith from ZeBra Bras.

There were a bunch of interesting, worthwhile projects submitted for this year's $2,500 AOA Startup Grant.

But we could only have three finalists.

And one winner.

The 2018 AOA Startup Grant is sponsored SEFCU, CDPHP, and the College of Saint Rose

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the history of New Scotland Ave, a rent and displacement, climate change, a conversation in the street, beautiful fungi, apple picking, bar operations, cold cake, the spa, landlines, and a rainbow.

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Farewell, Hello Pretty City

Laura Glazer 2011

Laura Glazer in 2011. We talked about all sorts of things with her during an interview back then.

After 16 years, two radio stations, and one move across the continent, Laura Glazer announced this week that she's ending the local radio show Hello Pretty City.

The last episode will air Sunday, November 4 on WEXT at 8 pm.

Glazer started the music show on WRPI in 2002, about a year after moving to Albany. Her distinctive voice drew people in, and she became a part of local art and music circles. In 2010 the show shifted to WEXT, gaining a larger audience. And she continued producing it even after a move to Portland, Oregon in the fall of 2016.

Laura is, in our experience, a delightful, interesting person. It was a fact made clear again this week while corresponding with her about the decision to stop making Hello Pretty City...

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Cider donuts, quietly

Autumnal cooking zen: Take a moment to watch as Cooper Nelson quietly makes cider donuts in his Delmar kitchen for his Silently Cooking YouTube channel.

See also this profile of Nelson from last year by Deanna Fox.

Debbie's Kitchen has returned

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Important lunch news update: Debbie's Kitchen re-opened Monday. (We've included a menu and a few pics.)

Debbie Klauber announced back in August that she was working toward re-opening the longtime local favorite at its old spot, 456 Madison Avenue near Lark Street in Albany. She had sold the business back in 2010 to travel and try new things. She spent time in Belize. She did some catering. She worked summers at Siro's in Saratoga.

And Monday morning she was welcoming people back in to the shop.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Townsend Park, maple syrup bootlegging, college visits, launching into a new life, teen trick-or-treaters, Lens Lake, waterfalls, Troy Chowder Fest, chowder fries, brunch, sandwiches in Lake Placid, and the last snippets.

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Here are the three finalists for the 2018 AOA Startup Grant

AOA Startup Grant 2018 entries

The hardest part of the $2,500 AOA Startup Grant contest is narrowing down the field to three finalists.

That was especially true this year because there were a bunch of compelling projects. If we had five spots in the final it might not have been enough.

Even so, we had to settle on three -- two picked through crowd voting, one by the editors.

And here are the finalists for this year's AOA Startup Grant, sponsored by SEFCU, CDPHP, and the College of Saint Rose.

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Dominoes as an art -- and a job

domino artist Lily Hevesh at Overit

This past January we posted a quick bit about RPI student Lily Hevesh and the crazy complicated domino designs she shows off on YouTube. A few things since then:

+ Her Hevesh5 YouTube channel now has 2 million subscribers.

+ She's left RPI to go pro full time.

Hevesh was in Albany this week to do some domino logo work for the marketing and design firm Overit.

So we stopped by to watch her work for a bit and talk about becoming a professional domino artist.

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A look around Bard & Baker, the new board game cafe in downtown Troy

Bard and Baker The News Troy

The board game cafe Bard & Baker is now officially open in Troy. It's in the street-level retail space at the corner of Broadway and 5th Ave in The News, the redeveloped old Troy Record building.

The cafe has more than 400 games board games that you can play all day for as long as you like for a $5 cover. (You can even leave and come back the same day.) There's also a menu that includes all sorts of beverages (coffee, teas, soda, juice, beer, wine, cocktails), along with sandwiches, snacks, and pastries.

Here's a look around the new place...

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What's up in The Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: a fatal clash in the ravine, the Leland Opera House, Scotia's famous composer, Pyramid Lake, Kingdom Trails, Newport, babysitting, roof repair, the Schenectady Wing Walk, pizza on the road, the indulgence roll, restaurant ideas, accidental finds, and staying motivated.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Polly Noonan, the Albany roots of Herman Melville, the last ashman in Albany, Hopkins Mountain, Moreau Lake, the air pump, drinking too much, Oktoberfest, hot and sour cockroach, the Durham Fair, the most beautiful baby ever.

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Animated glimpses of Albany

Check out these beautifully-animated, slice-of-life shorts set in Albany. They're by local artist/animator Jordan McClendon.

The first -- "The Plaza" -- is embedded above. The other -- "The Strip" -- is embedded below.

McClendon told us via email: "Inspiration for this work came from my appreciation for the diversity and architecture of this great city. I've walked and driven these streets for years and I thought what better way to show my appreciation of Albany than to use this city as a basis for some creative animated output."

You can head over to his website to see more of his work. And there's info there about how to contact him for freelance projects.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: fall wildflowers and intriguing fungi, an ultra marathon run/hike, a Field Notes dinner, the Fall Fermentation Festival, meeting for lunch, German potato salad, the Minor League Mecca, the old shoe company building, the Schuylers and Van Rensselaers, classes, still learning, and the "close door" button.

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It was his idea to put Nipper up there

looking up at Nipper 991 Broadway 2016-April

Longtime Albany architect Harris Sanders died this week at age 91. He designed a bunch of buildings around the area -- you've probably been in a few of them.

But his most notable local work is the landmark statue of Nipper that stands atop a building in the Warehouse District. That was his idea, a way of drawing attention to appliance distributor that occupied the building and carried RCA products during the 1950s.

As Sanders told Spectrum's Mike Allen for a nice first-person video piece last year:

We had an office, about 10 people. But no one got any publicity. You put up a 25-foot-high dog and I'm getting people form California calling me. ...
There were going to put it right next to the entrance door. That little four-foot dog they had would be lost on Broadway. They wouldn't even see it. So I said, if you want it visible, you gotta put it on the roof. So I figured 25 feet with a 12-foot base would be very visible. And it is.

In a Sanders profile written by Joseph Dalton for the Times Union four years ago, the architect explained how he was inspired by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, and you can see that influence in some of his buildings around this area.

The Sanders architecture firm continues to this day. And his son, Daniel Sanders, frequently works on local projects.

What's up in the Neighborohood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: how Van Rensselaer Manor vanished, a sudden marriage, plastic, the old Albany Patroons, beautiful wildflowers, a job no one wants, taking ownership, donuts, pickled eggs, birthday parties, and trips around the sun.

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A look around the new Bull Moose Club coworking space in downtown Albany

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Another sign that coworking is starting to catch on in the Capital Region: Downtown Albany now has not one, not two, but three of the flexible shared work spaces.

The latest to open is the Bull Moose Club, right across State Street from the Capitol. (Yep, it has a bust of Teddy Roosevelt.)

As the location suggests, the space is focusing on a crowd of lobbyists, advocates, trade associations, and startups. And it's backed by the same people who created the Troy Innovation Garage coworking space in downtown Troy.

As with other similar setups, Bull Moose offers a typical menu of office services -- desks, internet, printers, mailboxes, conference rooms, and booths for making phone calls. And it has memberships that allow for the occasional drop in at a first-come-first-sit desk or table, as well as private offices available for rent by the month.

Here's a look around the new space, along with a few questions for its founder, Tom Nardacci -- about coworking, other cities, and changing the culture of the Capital Region.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: growing up, an award-winning illustrator, the Schenectady General Depot, a history tour, the Grace Slide, pink grasses, Baron the woodpecker, yoga at the brewery, a Cock N' Bull story, apples, and home improvement.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: three decades in Albany, the Wolfe Island Wave, the answer we need, the labor that built the Capitol, Josiah Stanford, Elm Ridge, the back bay, books, building the base, Saratoga locals, DeFazio's, the Warehouse District, cookbooks, and a diamond at the ValleyCats game.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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Checking out the new mural in downtown Albany that was just finished

Liz Zunon mural downtown Albany

We got a chance to stop in downtown Albany Thursday and see local artist Liz Zunon putting the final touches on her new mural along the wall for the Clinton Ave off ramp near the Quackenbush Garage.

The new work -- "Geraldine's Reverie" -- is the latest in a series of Capital Walls murals, a collaboration between the Albany Parking Authority, Albany Center Gallery, and Albany Barn. One of those earlier works -- the bluebirds mural by Michael Conlin on the side of the parking garage -- is more or less above the spot of the new work. (There's a sidewalk off Broadway that will take you right by it.)

Zunon is an accomplished children's book illustrator. And we got a chance to talk with her for a few minutes Thursday about what it was like to create something on a much larger scale.

Also: A handful of photos of the new mural.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: soft serve ice cream around Schenectady, August in Saratoga, church cook books, the Annual Albany Waffle Frolic, the "Stanford could have been in Albany" story, the Cranberry Lake 50, a succession of plants, Barrington Stage, catcalling, media habits, school supply shopping, and goats.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the men who served with Henry Johnson, a 19th century family, fungi and fauna, words as a drug, the private sector, workplace friends, the next Tour de Soft Serve, Field Notes, poké, oysters and ice cream, everything you could want in a burger, homebrew, wedding gowns, a burlap bag, and glimpses of life.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: hoax or hope, TV, Willett Rock, the attempted abduction of Philip Schuyler, storm damage, road rage, being doored, rare plants, complaints, Troy restaurants, food when it's hot, local beer, deep dish pizza, church cookbooks, and ribbons.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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There's a new mural going up in downtown Albany

Liz Zunon Clinton Ave ramp mural in progress 2018-08-14

Check it out: The next downtown Albany mural is being created by local artist Liz Zunon, and she'll be working on it during the next two weeks.

The mural is along south side wall of the Clinton Ave off-ramp at Broadway, near the Quackenbush Parking Garage. Look for the bluebird mural on the garage and the new mural-in-progress is nearby on ground level.

The public artwork is part of an ongoing collaboration between the Albany Parking Authority, Albany Center Gallery, and Albany Barn. The orgs have already teamed up for a handful of other murals downtown (see the links below).

You might be familiar with Liz Zunon's work. She's an accomplished children's book illustrator. (She's also working on a book she both authored and illustrated, Grandpa Cacao, that's inspired by her time growing up in Ivory Coast. It's set to be published next year.) And Zunon also created one of those giant Dutch clogs that were placed around Albany a few years back as part of a public art installation.

Press release mural blurbage:

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Debbie's Kitchen is returning (with Debbie)

Debbie's Kitchen 2010.JPG

Debbie's reopening the kitchen.

There's wondrous sandwich news in Albany: Debbie's Kitchen is planning to return to its old location on Madison Avenue in Albany -- with Debbie herself at the helm.

Debbie, of course, is Debbie Klauber, whose soups, sandwiches, and desserts were Albany famous for 25 years.

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Follow up: The Dutch Udder

Dutch Udder ice cream two scoops in a cup

AOA is on summer break. So we'll have new follow-ups with people we've met and covered during the last year (or so).

Kehmally Karl and Jeff McCauley started making ice cream as a side project -- creating fun flavors for family and friends. Slowly and methodically, they've turned a hobby, and an incredible talent for creating inventive flavors, into a successful small business: The Dutch Udder.

Flavors found on their ever-changing menu include Nine Pin Cider Sorbet, Grasshopper, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Rice Crispy Treat ice cream.

At first, they sold ice cream from a cart at markets and festivals and special events. And three years ago the then-fledgling business was also finalist in the AOA Startup Grant contest. Since then, Jeff and Kehmally have opened a storefront on River Street in downtown Troy and they've captured awards for their Philly Vanilla and for their other inventive flavors.

Jeff talked with us about their experience in the ice cream biz so far.

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Follow up: Radix Center

Radix Center Stacy Pettigrew and Scott Kellogg 2018-July

Stacy Pettigrew and Scott Kellogg outside the greenhouse at Radix.

AOA is on summer break. So we'll have new follow-ups with people we've met and covered during the last year.

A little more than seven years ago Scott Kellogg and Stacy Pettigrew won the very first AOA Start Up Grant competition with their plans for an aquaculture to grow fish and watercress at the [then] new Radix Center for Ecological Sustainability. They were in the midst of constructing an 18-foot greenhouse on a corner of Grand Street in Albany's South End.

Almost a decade later the greenhouse is overflowing with plants, they're selling fish and watercress, running a composting business, raising animals, partnering with neighborhood organizations, and teaching students and city dwellers about their connection to nature -- all while raising two daughters and working on their PhDs.

And still, they found time to talk with us about how things at Radix are going.

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Follow up: Franklin Alley Social Club

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Heidi and Frank Sicari -- doing what they love

AOA is on summer break. So we'll have new follow-ups with people we've met and covered during the last year.

Four years ago Heidi and Frank Sicari started renovating the old Knights of Columbus building on 3rd Street in Troy. They've since turned the place into a popular venue for weddings and events called Takk House.

And six months ago they opened a new venture in the basement of Takk: the Franklin Alley Social Club, with a bar, shuffleboard, bocce ball, and old-school games.

They've made the leap from full-time jobs to full-time business owners and they've even managed to hire a staff. So, how's it going?


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Follow up: Lark Hall

Lark Hall 2018-July exterior

AOA is on summer break. So we'll have new follow-ups with people we've met and covered during the last year (or so)

Back in February 2017 word surfaced that 351 Hudson Ave -- AKA the EBA Building, at the corner of Lark and Hudson -- was going up for auction.

The eventual buyers: A team made up of Jeff Buell, a local developer, and the married couple Justin and Jennifer Miller (an attorney and teacher / yoga instructor, respectively). They didn't have an exact plan for the landmark building, but they were excited to get started.

Well, that part took a little longer than expected -- a year, in fact. But the group does now own the building -- which they're calling Lark Hall -- and work is moving along on renovations. (The Lark Street Flower Market is still there.) First up: a yoga studio to be run by Jennifer Miller. A juice bar will follow after that. And then there's the large auditorium space upstairs.

We stopped by 351 Hudson to talk with Jeff Buell and Justin Miller about what's been going on, how they're planning to use that auditorium, and the Lark Street neighborhood.

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Follow up: Delaware Supply

Delaware Supply 2018-July exterior

AOA is on summer break. So we'll have new follow-ups with people we've met and covered during the last year.

Delaware Supply opened just before Christmas last year next to the Spectrum in the space that had been a series of coffee shops.

The craft beer bar is owned by Colin Pratt, who was previously a manager at Westmere Beverage in Guilderland and as a bartender at Albany Ale and Oyster in Albany.

"Business has been good," he said when we stopped in recently, noting that opening around the time of the Academy Award season provided an early boost as people flocked to The Spectrum to see nominated films.

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Follow up: Olive & June

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Cassie Vogel of Olive & June Floral Company

AOA is on summer break. So we'll have new follow-ups with people we've met and covered during the last year.

Cassie Vogel was one of the finalists for last year's AOA Startup Grant. A recent transplant from Portland, Oregon, Cassie opened the Olive & June Floral Company inside of the Fort Orange General Store at the beginning of this year.

Since then she's booked 45 weddings in 2018 alone, and she's run workshops and a retail shop out of Fort Orange.

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Follow up: Adirondack Barnwood Salvage

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1 barn down

AOA is on summer break. So we'll have new follow-ups with people we've met and covered during the last year.

Longtime friends Nick Ouimet and Adam Weber were the winners of 2017's AOA Startup Grant for their company, Adirondack Barnwood Salvage.

Nick, a West Point faculty member, and Adam, an MBA, used the grant money to take down their first barn and they're eyeing their next one.

Adam took time to share their experience since then with us.

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Follow up: Fort Orange Brewing

Fort Orange Brewing 2018-July exterior cornhole league

AOA is on summer break. So we'll have new follow-ups with people we've met and covered during the last year.

Fort Orange Brewing became Albany's third operating brewery when it opened in a space on North Pearl Street in the Warehouse District last October. It's the product of three friends from Castleton -- Craig Johnson, John Westcott, and Jim Eaton -- who decided to make the jump from home brewing.

The space serves as both a brewery and taproom, and on a recent Wednesday night it was busy with people playing in the brewery's popular cornhole league.

"We're very pleased with where we're at being nine months into this thing," Jim Eaton told us a few days later as we talked about how things have gone for the startup brewery -- and their plans to keep growing...

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Music break: Bear Grass

Something to listen to, today or whenever: "Wash Over Me" by Bear Grass.

The song is off the local group's new album, LEFT, which will be released August 10. Album blurbage:

LEFT is the sophomore album of Troy, NY based indie rock band Bear Grass. Originally from Fox Island, Washington, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Katie Hammon, describes LEFT as a question of time and place. Having left her childhood home at age 17 to relocate to the right coast, Hammon has spent her adult life away from the people and places for which she holds great love and nostalgia. LEFT plays with the emotions of creating home while holding onto the past, recognizing that the people and places which once existed move along with time. ...
LEFT was created by Katie Hammon, bassist August Sagehorn, Tommy Krebs on vocals, keys and guitar, and drummer Ian White. The album was recorded and mixed by Hunter Davidsohn of Business District Recording in Johnson City, NY, and mastered by Josh Bonati of Bonati Mastering NYC.

Bear Grass has an album-release show lined up at the Post Contemporary - CAC Woodside in Troy August 10. Hunter Davidson will open. Admission includes a free copy of the album along with finger foods, and Rare Form will be there selling beer. Tickets are $20 and available online.

Five Kill Records
LEFT is being released by Five Kill Records, the new indie label that's a collaboration of handful of Albany/Troy collectives and labels: B3nson Recording Company, Swordpaw Collective, Collar City Records, The Rev Records, and Bee Side Cassettes.

(That's "kill" as in the Dutch word for stream/river.)

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: characters of old Albany sidewalks, Abraham Lincoln in Albany, a fight among Schuyler siblings, stating the obvious, the Capitol's eastern approach, falling yogurt, train travel, Poke-o-Moonshine fire tower, Lake Desolation, photo entries, opening weekend encounters, Saratoga restaurants, vacation cocktails, the snack box, a backyard pizza oven, and 10 years.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: tipping, brunch on the farm, DMB weekend, local ice cream history, an old dispute, growing up, agitating headlines, the ice meadows, Music Haven, the bridge to the stars, and books.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Grandma's, customers, Dancing Ewe, Nippletop and Dial, Great St. John's Wort, lotus, tickaphobia, the heatwave, The Rattle Watch, fares, and the story of everyone's life.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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A look around the new CoLab coworking space in downtown Albany

CoLab Albany mural

Ron Grieco, the co-owner of Stacks Espresso, was skeptical when his business partner, Tyler Wrightson, got back from a trip to Florida where he saw a coworking space next to a coffee spot -- and said they should open a coworking space here in Albany.

"I was like no way, this is out of our wheel house," he said. But he thought about it, and the idea started to make sense because they already had experience creating places where people like to hang out. And there was an open space just across the hallway from the Stacks in the Arcade Building in downtown Albany -- with the same sort of huge windows that look out onto the street.

"This was the perfect space because we're right there already," he said. "That was a big thing, striving for the kind of atmosphere that we create in the coffee shop, which is a warm, welcoming atmosphere."

And this past Friday their coworking space -- CoLab -- opened its doors.

Here's a look around the place along with a few bits about what's up.

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What's up in The Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the ESP fireworks, the things Americans share, a Families Belong Together rally, immigration, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the musical Koninsky Family, delivering newspapers, orchid hunting, farm stands, corned beef, Thai food, and congrats.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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Stefon Harris at The Egg

jazz musician Stefon Harris credit Elizabeth Leitzell

Acclaimed jazz vibraphonist -- and Albany High School grad -- Stefon Harris is set to play a show at The Egg December 1. Tickets are on sale now -- they're $34.

This week Harris was named a winner of a Doris Duke Artist Award. Each artists receives $250k in flexible funding (along with as much as $35k for retirement savings). The awards are given to "exemplary individual artists in contemporary dance, jazz, theater and related interdisciplinary work who have demonstrated their artistic vitality and commitment to their field." Harris-specific blurbage:

With astonishing artistry and virtuosity, Stefon Harris has risen to become one of the most admired artists in jazz. He is a recipient of the Martin E. Segal Award from Lincoln Center and has earned four Grammy nominations. He has also been named Best Mallet Player eight times by the Jazz Journalists Association and was chosen as Best Vibes in the 2018 and 2017 DownBeat Magazine critics polls, the 2016 Jazz Times Expanded Critics Poll, the 2014 Jazz Times Critics Poll and the 2013 DownBeat Critics Poll.
Harris' 11th album as a band leader, "Sonic Creed," recorded with his band Blackout, will be released in 2018. ...
Harris' venture into new technological advances led to the co-founding of The Melodic Progression Institute (MPI) in 2013 with partner Clif Swigget. MPI released its first app in 2016, Harmony Cloud, an ear-training learning tool now available on iTunes, with a focus on designing innovative ways to help musicians learn and grow.

And he's an Albany High School grad, class of 1991. While in school here he was also a member of the Empire State Youth Orchestra.

photo: Elizabeth Leitzell

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the Lincoln Park pool, Dr. Dodge, WWI, calling politicians, the backwater near Big Boom, Round Lake, Broadway in Saratoga Springs, TapAsia, pizza, veggies, telling stories, and photos.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Father's Day, Flag Day, a high school, Cicero Loveridge, train stations, reservations, dog rules, festivals, Chester's, a pig roast, Glens Falls, windows and doors.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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Checking in with Bard & Baker, the board game cafe planned for Troy

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The cafe will be in the street-level corner space of the old Record building.

The new board game cafe that's been in the works for downtown Troy -- Bard & Baker -- now has a location.

The developers behind the new News Apartments announced this week that Bard & Baker will be taking one of the retail spaces in the old Troy Record building at Broadway and 5th Ave.

The cafe's owner is Charlotte Guyton, who was a key member of the team at Clark House Hospitality (Peck's Arcade, The Confectionery). And Bryan Connor, who was a pastry chef at Peck's Arcade, will be the cafe's kitchen manager.

Guyton first publicly announced the plan for the cafe during last year's AOA Startup Grant content, in which she was finalist. Even though she didn't win, the judges were very impressed by both her and her methodical approach. And Guyton got a boost last month when she won a $1,500 grant in the business plan competition for the Capital Region Chamber's Entrepreneur Boot Camp. She's aiming to open in September.

So we're curious to hear about how thing are coming along, and what to expect when the cafe opens this fall. And we figured you might be, too...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: suicide, life, a supply of stupid drivers, Electric Park, the cosmopolitan high school, Valcour Island, pooping while running, the Tour de Wing: Pine Hills, the many cuisines of Utica, Nighthawks, Scotia, and a favorite spot.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: leaving town, treating pain, escape, Ford's Beach, a Tiffany window, restaurant nostalgia, wings, track season, City Squire, insects, debt, surveys, Wheel of Fortune, and a trivia title.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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"My name is Sean Rowe, and I know I got a really low voice, but if you're stuck with me you're going to eat a tree, you won't have much of a choice..."

The theme song makes us smile.

Check it out: Sean Rowe has a new Youtube series in which he talks about foraging for wild edibles and then heads back to the kitchen to cook them up. It is called, appropriately: Can I Eat This.

The first ep is embedded above. And the second posted today.

Of course, Rowe is famous as a musician. But he's also an avid naturalist, and he's taught foraging classes around here. So this series isn't a surprise. And his endearing, nerdy enthusiasm for the topic comes through in the videos. About the series, from his Facebook page:

You're gonna get an earfull and an eyefull of my passion for wild food and living off of the land. I'll be taking you through some of my favorite foraging spots througout the Northeast, showing you what I harvest directly from the wild and exactly what i do with it when i get back to the kitchen! I'll also be encorporating guest spots on the show with touring musicians, local chefs and hmmmm...who knows where this could go?!?!

The episodes look great thanks to Troy-based Chromoscope Pictures, which is producing the series. Over at The Alt, Katie Cusack Cusick recently talked with Rowe and Chromoscope's Nick Spadaro about what's cooking.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: a glorious floral vista, Parker Dunn, company roots, nostalgia, avoiding the treppenwitz moment, cycling, running, middle management, dogs on restaurant patios, Hong Kong Bakery and Bistro, deviled eggs, and burlap.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: guns, crosswalks, a bad case of the selfies, a gravel grinder, floral bounty, a history walking tour, what once stood there, a walking night out, restaurant tickets, the best burgers, El Cilantro, Marrakesh, Vicy water, and an alien landscape.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the power plant and the person with more money now than is safe for one man to possess, Albany's borders, the Hawkwood Preserve, mountain biking, Washington Park, waking up in the middle of the night, a dollar bill with a message, sous chefs, brunching, wings, pizza, and marriage.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: noise, Egyptian food, pork, tres leches cake, crawfish, the stage, the Indian Ladder Trail, the canal trail, debt, Sunnymede Cottage, spoofing Nelson Rockefeller, and the unknown lover of music.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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"Washington Park's full of people. Just like the Seurat painting, minus the class status and pointillism."

Washington Park Knox Street Mall 2017 spring

Over at Longreads, Elisa Albert makes her way around the Lark Street / Washington Park neighborhood in spring and has some complicated feelings about this place. A clip:

PEOPLE LIVE HERE, I occasionally scream at cars going too fast. Call it a hobby. There's a pedestrian-right-of-way at the entrance to the park from Hudson Ave. It boasts a three-foot-high fluorescent yellow sign that is more often than not lying on its side. Last year I wrote to the Mayor and the city engineer and our councilman and neighborhood association president, got 50 friends and neighbors to co-sign.
Could we please get some speed bumps around the park? (No, because emergency vehicles would be hindered.) Could we please increase signage? (They'd take this into careful consideration.) Could we please get a ton of reflective road-signs installed? (Maybe!) Could we reduce the speed limit in the park? (Maybe!)
I'm so glad you've chosen to raise your family here, said the Mayor in her response.
Nothing's changed. A state worker advises me to resend the same letter twice a week in perpetuity. This I have not done. I should. I will.
If I'm in a pissy mood and people are blowing through that crosswalk, I sometimes holler YOU HAVE TO STOP! Sometimes I even shake my fist.
If I especially don't want to sit at my desk and work, I'll occasionally just saunter slowly back and forth across that crosswalk for a good 10 or 15 minutes, making every. Single. Vehicle. Stop. That's right, fuckheads, the world ain't your highway.
Once I screamed YOU HAVE TO FUCKING STOP at a black BMW. I hadn't done my meditation practice that day.
I enjoy my ineffective brand of urban-renewal activism.

Gotta say we've had a moment or two like that as well.

See also: The accompanying Seurat / Albany mashup illustration that accompanies the essay.

Senate House Marigolds

Hudson Valley Seed Catalog Senate House Marigold Cara Hanley

We're fans of the Hudson Valley Seed Co. -- both for the seeds themselves, and their beautiful packaging.

So we were happy to see that one of the HVSC's newest "art packs" -- for the Senate House Marigold -- was illustrated by Albany artist Cara Hanley. Seed packaging blurbage:

In the 1950s, Herbert Cutler bred the Senate House Marigold to complement the [1676 Senate House in Kingston's] historic plantings. Ever since, the Garden Club has been saving seeds from the tallest plants with the palest yellow flowers to grace the gardens of uptown Kingston. ...
Talking of her Senate House Marigold artwork, Cara told us she wanted to incorporate architecture from Kingston's historic downtown area. "I also chose to play with scale by placing Kingston's urbanscape in a bouquet of marigolds. If you look closely, you will notice flower boxes filled with marigolds in the windows of some of the buildings! It was tricky and rewarding to create a design that hid secrets of the concept in the flaps of the pack, so the gardener must unfold the packaging to fully understand the piece."

You might already know some of Cara Hanley's work -- she created one of the murals on the Green-Hudson parking garage in downtown Albany.

By the way: Marigolds are very easy to grow. You don't have to start them indoors, they can be grown in a container, and they don't require much more than sun and some water.

Earlier: The simple joy of seed catalogs

The Cheese Traveler has a new owner

The Cheese Traveler Eric Paul 2012

Eric Paul back in 2012 when the shop opened.

The Cheese Traveler has been sold.

Mary Rizzo of Troy has bought the popular cheese and specialty food shop on Delaware in Albany from founder Eric Paul. It sounds like the plan is to keep a lot things the same for now. Press release blurbage:

The Cheese Traveler will continue most of the popular product lines and events our customers know and love. The Friday Night Cook-outs start on May 11 continuing through September. The menu will change weekly and feature local certified organic and grass finished beef from Tilldale Farm and certified organic and grass finished lamb from Hessian Hill Farm. Vegetarian options along with side dishes, starter plates and desserts will be created based on fresh, local, seasonal produce, and cheese plates will feature a variety of domestic and imported cheeses paired with the perfect accompaniment. A curated selection of wine, beer, cider and non-alcoholic drinks will also be available.

There will be reception for Eric Paul and Alifair Skebe, his wife, Sunday May 13 from 1-3 pm at the shop.

Over at Table Hopping, Steve Barnes reports that Paul made the choice to sell so he could focus more time working for a cheese importer and distributor based out of Brooklyn.

Eric Paul's been a fixture as a local cheese seller and expert going back almost two decades, first at Honest Weight, at the Cheese Traveler stand at the Delmar Farmers Market, and then at the shop on Delaware. He has a great depth of knowledge and passion for the subject, which always came through when talking with him at the shop.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: stop signs, the Kenwood convent, mental health, selling a house, wildflowers, prom, Patroons, eating your way across downtown Schenectady, pizza, Ali Baba, Restaurant Navona, ramen, coffee, blue ice cream, and cats for hire.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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At the new Zebra Bras in Troy, the measuring tape is a 3D scan

Zebra Bras Troy composite photo with owner Hannah Johnson

By Cristin Steding

If you are a bra-wearer, you already know the struggle to find the right size bra.

Standard sizing does a poor job of accommodating non-standardized bodies, and misinformation is rampant. Many women don't know what a properly-fitting bra is even supposed to feel like, and uninformed employees at mall stores often measure incorrectly.

But maybe all of that will soon be a thing of the past.

Sure, custom bras have been around for a while, if you're willing to spend enough cash. But recent innovations in 3D scanning and printing have the potential to eliminate issues with fit.

Zebra Bras is a new business in downtown Troy that uses 3D printing and scanning to create bras that are customized to your body. I talked with owner Hannah Johnson about how it works...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Bouck White, dropping knowledge, the expense of being poor, a well-lived day, the melody of a relationship, putting away your phone, spring wildflowers, grandkids, the chef/the person, the storied Albany Med turkey sandwich, food in Utica, gluten-free Chinese food, and Saratoga Vichy.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: walking around downtown Albany, the Pemberton Corner, decorum on the streetcar, a scam, Asshole Sports Parents, a microcosm of society, meditation, tools, NYC, tiny pits of pink, foraging, Malcolm's, Yono's, po'boys, and a weird scar update.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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Young Futures

Young Futures Free Cone Day event

From the paint-your-own-cone art activity during Free Cone Day. / photo courtesy of Young Futures

By Jaya Sundaresh

A little boy is painting a picture of an ice cream cone outside the Ben & Jerry's on Madison Ave in Albany during Free Cone Day; he's covered it all -- cone and ice cream both -- in bold, energetic black paint.

"Hey, he envisioned what he wanted, he formulated a plan, and he successfully executed it," says Young Futures founder James Mitchell, grinning.

Young Futures is an Albany organization dedicated to bringing free arts education to kids, especially those neighborhoods where that sort of opportunity can be hard to find.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: moving through Albany, the Rice Mansion, Harmanus Bleecker, Sinclair, local TV news, a mountain bike collective, scaring yourself in Vermont, the springs, The Deep End, the difference from nine-to-fivers, The Wine Bar, sandwich feels, and an epic pizza tour.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Martin Luther King Jr., Sinclair, budgeting and debt, a broken pole, signs of spring, Albany's Willy Wonka, the city hall carillon, favorite ice cream, spicy wontons, the Casola Dining Room, Taverna Novo, and a beautifully confused gumbo of ingredients.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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Reclaimed and unbridged

John Bulmer Reclaimed Green Island Bridge

The photo illustration above of the Green Island Bridge is the latest in local photographer John Bulmer's "Reclaimed" series, which imagines landmarks in a state of post-human abandonment.

He talked with Lauren a few years back about the inspiration for the series and how he creates the photo illustrations.

Bulmer is a professional photographer. In addition to works such as the "Reclaimed" series or this many-sunsets composite of the Albany skyline he also frequently posts beautiful weather and architectural shots on Twitter.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the March for Our Lives, spring, fat biking, soaking in Saratoga, a not-great grip on history, Albany's potato chip empire, the Trimble Opera House, proud pigeons, Kiernan Plaza, Lodge's, Mac-n-Cheese Bowl, good technique, differences in distance, The Shop, a mixed bag, and steamed hams.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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Kitchen 216

Kitchen 216 Emrys Young

Kitchen 216 owner Emrys Young.

The newest restaurant on Lark Street: Kitchen 216.

The modern soul food spot is currently in a soft-open phase. It's grand opening is set for April 12.

Here are a few bits with the owner about what's in store, her take on modern soul food, and the remarkable DIY approach that got her to this point.

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What's up in the The Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Schenectady pizza, Middle Eastern cuisine, groceries at CVS, baking soda, an aggressive dog, taking shelter, roaming along rivers, prolific Albany artists, Marie Curie, silversmiths, the influence of teachers, and finding balance.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: reviewing the review, making pizza, favorite restaurants, More Perecca's, madness for maple, public input, seat belts, Lydia Mott, Edison's room, one of the prettiest spots imaginable, a message from the skunk cabbage, meeting your public, and music and sex.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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Photos from the Albany High School walkout, and talking with the student organizers

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About 200 Albany High School students participated in a school walkout Wednesday to protest gun violence, one of many similar events at other schools around the region and the country prompted by the school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

The students gathered, with the support of the school's administration, for a short (voluntary) assembly ahead of the walkout to talk about focusing attention on issues such as gun control and the importance of speaking up and voting. Then they headed out to march around the school grounds for roughly 17 minutes, a tribute to the people killed in Florida.

"You never know if it can be you," said senior class president Shafiyq Grady after the march. "Just like the 17 students at Parkland, it could have been 17 Albany High students. We shouldn't wait around for something to happen here to take action."

Here are a handful of photos from the march, along with a quick talk with the student organizers -- about why they decided to act, politics today, and how people perceive Albany High School...

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Richly rendered scenes of Albany

The watercolor above -- of the Mechanics and Farmers Bank building on State Street in Albany, by local artist Kevin Kuhne -- floated our way via a Facebook tag this week, and we were happy it did. (AOA had been tagged because of the 2016 post about the history of that beautiful, odd, skinny building.)

The painting was recently part of a show of Kuhne's work at the First Presbyterian Church of Albany. That link includes a few more paintings.

Kevin Kuhne has painted many local scenes from around the area. We love the richness of the colors in the works.

Kuhne frequently teaches watercolor classes at Arlene's Artist Materials on Fuller Road. He has a pets and animals class this week, and a trees and foliage class in early April.

image via First Presbyterian Church of Albany Facebook

Virginia Eubanks and Automating Inequality at Market Block Books

Virginia Eubanks automating inequality

One of the hottest books of the moment right now about the intersection between tech and government and society is Automating Inequality by Virginia Eubanks, an associate professor of political science at UAlbany and a Troy resident. And Eubanks will be at Market Block Books in downtown Troy March 31 to talk about the book.

Automating Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish the Poor was released in January, and it's gotten a string of high-profile coverage and strong reviews in outlets ranging from NPR to Wired to Vox to Boing Boing. Book blurbage:

Since the dawn of the digital age, decision-making in finance, employment, politics, health and human services has undergone revolutionary change. Today, automated systems--rather than humans--control which neighborhoods get policed, which families attain needed resources, and who is investigated for fraud. While we all live under this new regime of data, the most invasive and punitive systems are aimed at the poor.
Automating Inequality systematically investigates the impacts of data mining, policy algorithms, and predictive risk models on poor and working-class people in America. The book is full of heart-wrenching and eye-opening stories, from a woman in Indiana whose benefits are literally cut off as she lays dying to a family in Pennsylvania in daily fear of losing their daughter because they fit a certain statistical profile.

The event at Market Block is Saturday, March 31 at 11 am. It's free.

By the way: You might remember Eubanks from her article in The Nation a year or so back about Troy, the effects of Irene, and the future of flood insurance.

author photo: Sadaf Rassoul Cameron

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: mass incarceration, census tracts, debt, redemption, contact lens class, snow-free fields, doing Edison's work in Schenectady, the family tree, the ladies entrance, hot roast beef, not hot chicken, Nashville, Tala, a canned vegetable wonderland, and breaking up with your car.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: becoming soft, balancing risk, searching for a sous chef, seafood, many different bites, a walk around the block, attracting Edison to Schenectady, the Academy of Music, the soundscape of old Hudson Ave, the umbrella maker, the thawing forest, fine print, and solo travel.

Schenectady Restaurant Week 2018 in-post ad

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: frustration and the unfortunately predictable cycle, Thacher Park, Will Hicok Low, the science fiction writer next door, Alander Mountain, the back corners of the Ecological Park, a very large backyard, the Sloppy David, Karavalli, Sichuan food, kitchen quotes, and pizza.

Schenectady Restaurant Week 2018 in-post ad

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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The next Union College president is David Harris

Union College president David HarrisUnion College announced Tuesday that its next president will be David R. Harris, a 48-year-old sociologist who's currently the provost at Tufts. He'll succeed Stephen Ainlay, who's set to leave the post at the end of the current academic year after 12 years in the role.

Harris's CV includes undergrad and PhD at Northwestern, academic and administrative positions at Cornell, and time spent working for the US Department of Health and Human Services during the Obama admin. Press release blurbage:

In his time at Tufts, Harris has been a transformational leader with an impressive record of achievement. Shortly after joining the administration, he led a year-long effort to create Tufts' first-ever, university-wide strategic plan. From that plan emerged many new initiatives, including 1 + 4, a program to energize civic renewal by providing students an opportunity to engage in a year of international or national service before starting at Tufts. The strategic plan also led to the creation of Bridge Professorships, which span two or more schools to advance research and teaching on complex issues.
At Tufts, Harris also established the new position of chief diversity officer and associate provost, and he launched Bridging Differences, an initiative to empower the Tufts community to develop the skills necessary to engage in informed and civil discussion around some of today's most challenging topics.

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Another quiz show, another score for Albany's Amelia Hershberger

amelia hershberger who wants to be a millionaire

Check it out: Albany resident Amelia Hershberger -- already a three-time Jeopardy champ -- won $30,000 on the episode of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire that aired Wednesday.

After working her way up the ladder of prize money she bowed out on a $50,000 question about the time of death John F. Kennedy announced on TV by Walter Cronkite. (It was 1 pm.) Her husband, Jason, joined her on stage as her +1 to talk over the question before she chose to take the money already accumulated.

You might remember Amelia from that four-episode run on Jeopardy in January 2016. She won $46,000 there -- and arm wrestled Alex Trebek. She's also very funny. We had a great time talking with her about the Jeopardy experience.

photo via Who Wants To Be a Millionaire Facebook

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the Klondike ramp, local TV, kindness on Central Ave, Lenten charity, starting now, Guptill's, the Saratoga Fat Bike Rally, the winter treescape, the waiting area, family dinner, restaurant transitions, Trader Joe's, and public art.

Schenectady Restaurant Week 2018 in-post ad

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: different perspectives on Chowderfest, a January without wine, spa food, Super Bowl Sunday dining, architectural criticism of the ESP, the old Dudley Observatory sites, the business of 19th century churches, an old map, doctor's office waiting room etiquette, emergency departments, (not) rooting for your kid, budgeting, Trivia Bowl, February, and sparkly snow.

Schenectady Restaurant Week 2018 in-post ad

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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Setting them up and knocking them down

Two things:

1. RPI student Lily Hevesh is a professional domino artist with 1.5 million Youtube subscribers. Her work has appeared in commercials and films. That video embedded above shows the crazy 30,000 domino setup she created to celebrate getting to 1 million subscribers.

2. She's helped start a domino toppling club at RPI.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the grim past of Van Rensselaer Park, a tale of sickness, a labor strike, a home on Alexander Street, commercial considerations, too soon, the Boreas Ponds, the Spring Run Trail, the new Hannaford loyalty app thing, Rascal + Thorn, restaurant industry fake news, meat preservation, and travel.

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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An Inspector Calls, for a different sort of casting

Schenectady Civic An Inspector Calls cast Angelique Powell

The cast of An Inspector Calls at Schenectady Civic Playhouse.

This weekend Schenectady Civic Playhouse is opening a production of An Inspector Calls. It's an English drama from 1945 that has a lot to say to US audiences in 2018, but this production will say it a bit differently.

The show, usually been produced with an all-white cast, has been cast entirely with actors of color.

It's an interesting move the director says amps up the message of the play -- and maybe in the process it will expand the way people think about casting roles here in the Capital Region.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the size of life, close friendship, kids moving beyond their parents, William Kennedy, the destruction of Tweddle Hall, the public market, monumental heaps of jumbled ice, fat biking, the rare gift of a do-over, Pebbles Asian Fusion, Namu, highs and lows, and nature photos...

Troy Night Out 2018-January in-post ad

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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In the year between women's marches, here's what people have been doing to change things

Albany Womens March 2018 taking action composite

It was almost exactly one year to the day between the big rally in Albany's West Capitol Park to protest the inauguration of Donald Trump in 2017 and this past weekend's Women's March, which again drew thousands of people. (It was one of many such events around the country.)

Protests can be important ways to focus attention. But change doesn't happen from protests alone. And because so many people are so keyed into what's going on politically in the country right now, we were curious about what they've been doing to change things on those other 364 days.

So we asked. Here are a bunch of the answers...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the Van Rensselaer Skating Park, the old burying grounds, killed by cars, walking in God's love, decreasing world suck, a vet bill, a new car, stats, sending food back, Slider Slam, wonton soup, excessive indulgence, and gorgeous ice..

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Albany Barn in post ad 2018

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Midday music break: bell's roar

Check it out: bell's roar has a new album out today, We Carry Us. There's a track from it -- "Celebrate" -- embedded above.

As you might know, bell's roar is local producer/songwriter/vocalist/artist/activist Sean Desiree. In addition to making music, Sean also is the person behind South End Pallet Works, where they turn wood from leftover pallets into furniture.

And Sean is also the organizer of the Art Funds Art Tour, which aims to provide art grants to queer and trans artists of color.

Earlier:
+ Catching up with Sean Desiree of bell's roar and South End Pallet Works
+ South End Pallet Works

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the indelible legacy of Titus Eddy, the origin of Tulip Fest, the shared story of two families on Jay Street, the judge who died in the cemetery, the college wiped out by a landslide, urban renewal, daycare, winter hiking, frazil ice, heckling, manly men and their cats, shopping habits, Delaware Supply, Franklin Alley Social Club, Zaitoon Kitchen, and deep dreams.

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Arts Center Studio Sprouts in-post ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the Polar Plunge, the cold, the ice, layering, things learned in 2017, budgeting, Santa's sleigh, Robert Burns, the Mohawk Overall Company, an unexpected connection, tipping, overused words, coffee, R&R, ramen, Utica greens, steak, green things, and marriage.

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Checking out the new Franklin Alley Social Club

Franklin Alley Social Club shuffleboard and bocce courts

The Franklin Alley Social Club -- a new bar/shuffleboard/bocce ball/arcade spot under Takk House in Troy -- opened this past weekend.

Here's a look around and little bit about what's up...

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A look around Delaware Supply

Delaware Supply exterior

Some quick follow-up on Delaware Supply, the craft beer bar that's been in the works for the space next to The Spectrum that was previously a series of coffee shops.

It opened shortly before Christmas, and here are a handful of pics along with a few other bits...

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Things people made in 2017

things people made 2017 composite

With 2017 about to end, we're talking with people about favorite/interesting things from the past year.

Today we talk with a few people about things they made in 2017.

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Interesting stories to cover in 2017

interesting stories 2017 composite

With 2017 about to end, we're talking with a bunch of people about the past year.

Next up: We asked a handful of local reporters about which stories were most interesting to cover this year...

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Favorite local foods 2017

Oaxaquena Triqui tacos closeup

The tacos at a tiny spot in Albany got a mention. / photo: Deanna Fox

With 2017 about to end, we're talking with people about favorite/interesting things from the past year.

And, as is tradition, we asked a bunch of people around the online Neighborhood about their favorite local foods or drinks from the past year.

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Holiday gifts: Stephanie Snyder

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Llamas and unicorns and goats, oh my!

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're again asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities -- and wishes for the next year.

Today we meet Stephanie Snyder.

Stephanie was born and raised in West Virginia, and relocated to the Capital Region in 2011 when her husband, Todd, began teaching at Siena College. She's team UAlbany, and manages communications and marketing for the Alumni Association. She, Todd, and their 4 year-old son, Huntington Jay, live in South Colonie.

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Kate Welshofer is leaving for a job in Buffalo

Kate Welshofer Buffalo

It's our understanding that Anchorcat Brian is excited about the moving boxes.

Updated Thursday at 3:20 pm.

Kate Welshofer announced on her Facebook page Thursday that she's leaving Spectrum News for a job in Buffalo with WGRZ. From her post (link added):

Plain and simple--my YouTube channel got me this job.
So, after 20 years in the business, I am being given the chance to be able do what I have always wanted to do on television on a consistent basis and that is: give people a reason to smile. ...
To anyone not sure if they should do something weird, do it. Not everybody's going to get it but, when you least expect it, somebody will....and it will change your life.

Her last night on Spectrum is Thursday.

Speaking of rolling the credits
Kate recently teamed up with Greg Aidala for a series of super short comedy bits, called Credits...

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Holiday gifts: Imani McCalmon

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Spoons are important.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're again asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities -- and wishes for the next year.

Today's list comes from Imani McCalmon. Imani is an aspiring dancer and choreographer from Schenectady, who works helping people get fit as a gym instructor. She loves music, poetry, performing and spending time with her beautiful sisters.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the story of the Playdium, a famous monument, local restaurant history, gravestones, bouncing and breaking, track meets, the Shawangunks, Hu's House, Berben & Wolff's, recovering a love of country, pizza touring, trends, and the sack.

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Holiday gifts: T'chaka Anghelos Sikelianos

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T'chaka wants an adventure.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're again asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities -- and wishes for the next year.

Today we hear from T'chaka Sikelianos.

T'chaka is a projectionist at the Spectrum He's a cinephile who lives in Albany's Ten Broeck Triangle where he intermittently plugs away at a graphic novel as well as film and music projects, and says he is "currently working on an all encompassing theory of everything but I still have at least a half century until that is fully fleshed out."

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Holiday gifts: Danika Atkins

Danika Atkins

"It's entirely possible someone in my life will get an ornately-framed picture of Ronald Regan this year."

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're again asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities -- and wishes for the next year.

Next up, Danika Atkins.

Danika hails from Yonkers and has lived in the Capital Region for nearly 15 years. She works at Excelsior College and lives with two Charleses: her husband Chuck and her son Charlie.

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Remembering Minnie Clark Bolster

minnie bolster collection composite

A few items from Minnie Clark Bolster's collection. That's a high school photo of her in the lower right corner.

Minnie Clark Bolster -- who was passionate about Saratoga Springs, and served as an unofficial historian of the city -- died this past Saturday. She was 97 years old.

Bolster amassed a huge collection of items from the history of Saratoga. Her home was a like a mini museum. And two years ago she was nice enough to give us tour of the many pieces -- chairs, tables, skeleton keys from the famous Saratoga hotels, photos by her brother-in-law (George Bolster), postcards, books, paintings, and more. At the time her health was failing, but her mind was sharp as a tack and she was an engaging spirit.

Photos from the 2017 Santa Speedo Sprint

Albany Santa Speedo Sprint 2017

A bunch of scantily-clad people dashed along a chilly Lark Street Saturday for charity as part of the annual Albany Santa Speedo Sprint, which is now in its 12th year.

The sprint is always one of the most fun events of year, with lots of smiles and cheering. It's organized by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy, with the Albany All Stars Roller Derby, and is a fundraiser for the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at the Albany Medical Center. This year's sprint raised $14,000.

Here's a metric ton of photos from this year...

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Holiday gifts: Anasha Cummings

Anasha Cummings Santa

Anasha Claus

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're again asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities -- and wishes for the next year.

Today we meet Anasha Cummings.

Anasha lives in downtown Troy and is the Councilman-Elect for the city's 4th District.

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Holiday gifts: Josh Coletto

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Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're again asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities -- and wishes for the next year.

Josh Coletto, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, began his career in some of Portland, Oregon's top restaurants. Upon returning to upstate New York, he was integral to the opening and success of several prominent restaurants.

Recently he has earned praise for his pop-ups, including the popular Rock N Roll Brunch series. He is currently working on another series of family style meals at Peck's Arcade.

Josh is an active member of the Chefs' Consortium and works with the catering company Heirloom Fire. He holds true that local, seasonal ingredients are the best inspiration and frequently collaborates with other area chefs and farms that share this belief.

When Josh is not cheffing, he is found foraging with his dog, playing in bands, or selling real estate.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: testifying, women's suffrage, the Albany Theatre, a principal monument, a snowy walk, Christmas, gifts not wanted, mountain biking, High Peaks, brick chicken, beer, and musical memoir.

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Holiday gifts: Roni Choudhury

Roni Choudhury

"I just want to make people happy."

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're again asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities -- and wishes for the next year.

Today we meet Roni Choudhury.

Roni is a native of Boston and Chicago who has lived in the Capital Region since 2012. He can usually be found writing software for his day job, discussing warp engines, playing retro video games, or eating something.

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Holiday gifts: Alexandra Stafford

Alexandra Stafford

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're again asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities -- and wishes for the next year.

Alexandra Stafford is the author of Bread Toast Crumbs, a loaf-to-crumb bread baking book. She writes the blog Alexandra's Kitchen and contributes weekly to Food52.

She lives in Niskayuna with her husband and four young children.

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Holiday gifts: Jammella Anderson

Jammella Anderson.jpg

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're again asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities -- and wishes for the next year.

Next up: Jammella Anderson.

Jammella grew up in the Capital District and has lived in Albany for almost a decade. She works for the Albany Barn and she's also a yoga teacher and a barista.

When Jammella is not working she loves to hike, run, knit, and sing all the wrong words to her favorite songs.

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Holiday gifts: Hali Bey Ramdene

Hali Bey Ramdene

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're again asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities -- and wishes for the next year.

Today we meet Hali Bey Ramdene.

Hali is the food editor of The Kitchn, an essayist, reluctant photographer -- and an Albany girl, through and through.

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Holiday gifts: Kristin Jackson

Kristin Jackson

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're again asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities -- and wishes for the next year.

Kristin Jackson knows her gifts. She heads up Troy Flea, the Riverfront Park summer market filled with local vendors.

Kristin grew up in Duchess County and spent some time in the midwest before finding a home in Troy. She has a daughter, a husband, a dog and a cat, and loves to see live music, eat, and be merry. This weekend she's hosting the Babes in Troyland indoor winter market at Takk House.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: surprise nudity, questioning a promotion, tying one on for Christmas, Rensselaer Westerlo, the grand quick step, NYC, hiking, the new Albany Patroons, the Cuckoo's Nest, Cafe Capriccio, shopping, and budgeting.

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Holiday gifts: Evelyn Melendez

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Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're again asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities -- and wishes for the next year.

Evelyn Melendez was born and raised in the Bronx, but today she calls Clifton Park home. She's a Navy veteran, a nursing student, a mom to a fur baby named Mowgli -- and a coach, skater and ref for the Hellions of Troy Roller Derby. She loves to eat, travel, and laugh.

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Holiday gifts: Nick Foster

Nick Foster and family

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're again asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities -- and wishes for the next year.

Nick Foster came to the Capital Region from New Jersey. He's a husband, father, sometime
musical theater performer, and former writer of record reviews living in Albany. He is also the founder/organizer of the fundraising event the James T. Foster Memorial Beer + Ice Cream Social (Set to return in 2018!).

He loves the music of Big Star, black-and-white cookies, and continuously adding things to his Netflix queue that he knows full-well he'll never get around to watching.

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Holiday gifts: Jason Vengersammy

Jason Vengersammy

On Jason's list: Bow ties and sleep.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're again asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities -- and wishes for the next year.

First up: Jason Vengersammy.

Jason was born and raised in New York City, but he's called Albany his home for the past decade. He's a loan officer for a local credit union and also works as a local wedding MC, DJ, and officiant. He's into fashion -- and egg rolls.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: giving thanks, hugs, Santa in a liquor store, a holiday trolley with creepy clowns, a cousin of Henry James, doing it yourself, a new playground, Thanksgiving dinner out, tequila, chefs, a brewery, a meal deal, donuts, and the high point.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: old signs, public baths, mountain biking, hiking, new woods, the Adirondack Folk School, foster fail, contrasting concerts, Melt 'N Toast, Vermont, the restaurant biz, Thanksgiving dinner all in, Big Mama's Steak, trout potatoes, bringing that to the team, and laughing at the loo.

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Arts Center Studio Sprouts in-post ad

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Moriah Formica doesn't advance on The Voice

Moriah Formica just missed out on making the top 12 on The Voice. In the episode that aired Wednesday night, she was cut during the playoff round. Her performance of Beth Hart's "World Without You" is embedded above. For whatever reason it seemed like maybe the song wasn't a good match for her.

Making it on to a show like this is an accomplishment -- and making it through multiple rounds is even more so. And, oh by the way, she's just 17 years old. (See Amy Biancolli's recent profile of the Shaker High student.) So there's a lot to be proud of.

Formica is set to play a show at Jupiter Hall in the Crossgates Lucky Strike November 24. Tickets are $8 ahead / $10 at the door -- though it looks like it's now sold out.

Here are clips of her performances from The Voice...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: vegan food, Daley's on Yates, Minar Indian Cuisine, a membrane to constrain cheese and bacon, baked beans, donuts, a short hike with good views, yoga in the Hill Towns, the first frost, the appalling conflagration, restoring an old cemetery, gas station etiquette, a name vote, and simplifying.

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A look inside the new Cuckoo's Nest in Albany

Cuckoo's Nest Albany exterior

Sometimes the right spot is right across the street.

When Kaytrin Della Sala and Devin Ziemann -- owners of the Albany fast-casual burger shop Crave -- heard that the longtime home of The Gingerman was available again, the opportunity was, as Ziemann describes it, "a no-brainer."

The location is just up Western Ave from Crave, and the young restaurateurs -- Kaytrin Della Sala oversees operations, Ziemann is a chef -- had been thinking about a second restaurant.

So they jumped at the chance. And this past weekend, they opened The Cuckoo's Nest, a sit-down restaurant inspired by Southern cuisine. The menu includes riffs on items such as fried chicken, biscuits, shrimp and grits, and fried green tomatoes.

"It's been pretty much a dream of ours to open this kind of concept, with this look, since before we even opened Crave," said Della Sala on Saturday a few hours before the restaurant's first reservations from the general public started showing up. "So it just means a lot to us to see it come to life."

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Coming soon: The history of a house, a neighborhood, and Albany

The History of Here Akum Norder coverCheck it out: The History of Here -- Akum Norder's book about "A House, the Pine Hills Neighborhood, and the City of Albany" -- is available for pre-order from SUNY Press.

Blurbage:

The History of Here follows Albany, New York's, Pine Hills neighborhood through more than one hundred years of change. At its heart is the story of Norder's 1912 house and the people who built and lived in it. As Norder traced their histories, she came to see the development of her house, her street, and her neighborhood as a piece of Albany's story. In the lives of its residents, their struggles and triumphs, she saw a reflection of twentieth-century America.
Drawing on interviews, city records, newspapers, out-of-print books, and other sources, Norder's narrative makes a case for city neighborhoods: their value, their preservation, and the grassroots involvement that turns a jumble of houses into a community. Funny and thought-provoking, readable and relevant, The History of Here celebrates the sense of place that fuels the new urbanism.

We've been looking forward to this book since we heard Norder was working on it. She's a wonderful writer who has a keen eye for details and stories. (We were lucky to have her write for AOA many years ago.) Also, according to sources, she is "kind of a local celebrity in the nerd world."

The History of Here is set to be published in February. It's $19.95 pre-ordered on the SUNY Press website.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: guns and prayers, affordable housing, pensions, target drivers, Susan B. Anthony, ghost signs, Samuel Marcy, budgeting, the upper Hudson, the restaurant industry, Montreal, Southern Tier pizza, a pork chop, kid-friendly restaurants, Election Cake, and Halloween candy.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the weight of history, Saratoga Battlefield, hauntings, Sturgeondom, Appleton, Watervliet streets, Connecticut, folk school, the Adirondacks, New Hampshire, food memories, and a the full-size candy bar precedent.

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Arts Center Studio Sprouts in-post ad

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Blood and lipstick: Jenn Dugan's Makeup Curio

makeup curio schenectady composite

Jenn Dugan didn't wear makeup until after she graduated from college.

Well, that's not entirely true. There was a goth period in high school in East Greenbush, but she doesn't really count that.

She studied fashion design at Marist College where she started costuming plays and became a self-proclaimed "theater nerd." After school, she worked in New York and Seattle, and traveled the country as a costume designer and dresser.

In regional theater, costume designers often design makeup as well. So, out of necessity, her next career was born. She studied books about theater and film makeup, attended trade shows and experimented with characters and special effects. And she enjoyed it. When she returned to the Capital Region to be near her family, she quickly gained a reputation as a makeup artist.

Earlier this month Dugan opened The Makeup Curio, a makeup and esthetics salon in Schenectady where clients sometimes leave looking stranger than they did when they entered.

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A look around the new Fort Orange Brewing

Fort Orange Brewing in Albany opening

The new Albany brewery -- Fort Orange Brewing -- officially opened Wednesday afternoon.

Its space, a combination brewery/tap room, is on North Pearl Street in the Warehouse District. Six of its brews were on tap, along with cider from Nine Pin.

Fort Orange Brewing is the product of Craig Johnson, John Westcott, and Jim Eaton. The three friends from Castleton started brewing at home together a few years back and decided to make the jump to a full brewery. As Eaton told us back in August, the plan is to offer their beers in the tap room, along with snacks. They'll also be inviting food trucks to set up outside. Eaton said the goal is to create a family-friendly atmosphere.

It's the third brewery now operating in the city of Albany, joining the C. H. Evans Brewing (the Pump Station) and Druthers. The craft beverage producer list also includes Albany Distilling Co. and Nine Pin Cider.

Here's a look around the new place...

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Here's how those three new murals in downtown Albany turned out

Capital Walls mural Sylvie Kantorovitz

Here's some photo follow-up on those three murals-in-progress in downtown Albany was posted about last week.

The works are part of the Capital Walls project -- a collaboration among the Albany Center Gallery, curator Tony Iadicicco, and the Albany Barn. And it's being funded by the Albany Parking Authority as part of its ongoing effort to make its garages feel more welcoming. (See also: The two large murals on the Quackenbush garage.)

As Iadicicco told us last week, "The goal is to inspire and create community and sense of place."

Here's how they turned out...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: alcohol, party foods, S&S Farm Brewery, rolling ice cream, brunch, burgers, mountain biking, Archer Vly, Connecticut, Schuyler Mansion, global dominance, rowing, and goats.

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Arts Center Studio Sprouts in-post ad

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Here are a few bits for the new bar planned for the space next to The Spectrum

In the works for the space next-door to the Spectrum: Delaware Supply, a bar focused on craft beer.

Owner Colin Pratt got a conditional use permit for the project approved by the Albany planning board Thursday night.

Here are a more few bits about what's in store...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: "Me too" stories, seeing a visit in a different light, the miracle of art, the truth in a post-truth world, the haunted Capitol, Eleanor Roosevelt, photographic family history, Cypress Pond, Mohawk Club Pale Dry Ginger Ale, lunch along the upper Hudson, dinner in Ballston Spa, dessert, and things that are OK.

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Moriah Formica advances on The Voice

Moriah Formica was back on The Voice Monday night -- and she advanced. Her head-to-head performance with a competitor is embedded above.

And she was great. The matchup wasn't even all that close. The judges were again full of praise for the Shaker High School student.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: kindness, the healing qualities of nature, the Adirondacks in autumn, parking in Albany, Mack Brin, Kingston, Quebec, Utica food, burger chains, Indian food, Benedict Arnold in Albany, and making repairs.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: goodness, focus, Pine Hills, German newspapers, the remarkable hands of Mary Nash, Vermont, Stark's Knob, Nova Scotia, My Dacha, eating and drinking in Saratoga, apple trees, and covered bridges.

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Moriah Formica's audition on The Voice

Here's the video of local singer/songwriter -- and Shaker High School student -- Moriah Formica's blind audition that ran on The Voice Monday night.

As you can see in the clip, she did very well singing "Crazy on You" by Heart. The judge reaction was strongly positive, and she ended up picking Miley Cyrus as her coach.

What's up in the Neighborhood

Chuck Miller L-Kens-animated

One of Chuck's creations from the week.

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: 1 Monument Square, turns on the slide, 50 restaurants, hamburgers, Schenectady food, hosting the hosts, Six Mile Waterworks, Lens Lake, Allen Mountain, yoga on Pearl Street, dancing in Albany, and a sign of inspiration.

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Cityscapes by David Hinchen

Cityscapes by David Hinchen

Now on display at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center at Quackenbush Square: Cityscapes, an exhibit of paintings and photos by local artist David Hinchen. Blurbage:

"For me, buildings are the significant carriers of cultural memory. Surviving the builders and residents, they are reminders of remoter lives and times," says Hinchen. "Over the years, a city takes on an almost geological aspect, with successive generations leaving behind a layering of architectural styles."
Hinchen's work is characterized by these carefully constructed layers, remarkable for their complex details. In Hinchen's work, each stone and leaf is enumerated, each window lovingly detailed. In fact, Hinchen's buildings take on a human quality. He imparts these structures with an air of nobility, of quiet grace and dignity, befitting their cultural status. "There is a hard, beautiful dignity in weathering all those years - pure to themselves and uncompromising," says Hinchen. But if the buildings have a human quality, they also have the ability to impact humanity, says Hinchen. "The enduring physical makeup of a city directly influences its culture as well as its ability to survive as a place people care about."

We especially like Hinchen's architectural paintings, which have a certain warmth about them. You can see more of his work online and prints are available through his Etsy store.

Cityscapes will be on display at the visitors center through November 2.

An award-winning tale of Victorian robot sex

Chester5000 Isabelle and George coverCheck it out: Local artist/author Jess Fink won the 2017 Ignatz Award for outstanding series for her comic Chester 5000 XYV.

The annual Ignatz Awards are the festival prize for the annual Small Press Expo, which was this past weekend in the DC area. "The Ignatz recognizes exceptional work that challenges popular notions of what comics can achieve, both as an art form and as a means of personal expression." (The actual award is a brick, in honor of the character Ignatz from Krazy Kat.)

Chester is an erotic, Victorian, sci-fi, romance comic. As she told us a few years back of the story's origins:

I've been interested in how people in eras past have dealt with sexuality for some time. A big inspiration was the Tijuana Bibles which were these little dirty comics people sold illegally in the 20s-50s.
I also had an interest in early erotic photography. Basically the Victorians are famous for being prudes, having no knowledge of the female orgasm and little sex education, yet there is a lot of erotic art from that era. I thought the juxtaposition of sexual discovery and prudish Victorian values would be fun.

The story has been collected into two books, which are both available for sale.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: rude people, restaurants, the Pony Barn, a basket of ingredients, babysitters, floating palaces, a poignant monument, a 20s Broadway star, the Boreas Ponds, an endangered plant, Nova Scotia, and growing up.

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Checking in on the Tivoli Preserve Community Farm sheep

Tivoli Preserve Community Farm sheep grazing

Yep, this is the city of Albany.

Among the newest residents of Albany's Tivoli Lake Preserve: sheep.

The small flock is there now as part of the Tivoli Preserve Community Farm project. The goal is to build a working farm and community programs in the park on the north side of Albany -- and there's been a lot of progress in recent months.

"It's just moving really quickly with help now," said Melissa Parade, the founder of the farm project, when we stopped by last week. "It feels really good."

Here's some quick follow-up on what's happening. And a lot of sheep pics.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: political potatoes, Albany labor, old paint, rightside up, the Patroons, being a stronger person, a yurt, late-summer finds, dish ownership, working in a restaurant, the Tour de Donut, Lost & Found, mac 'n cheese, a tiny spice company, and congrats.

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Mid-afternoon music break: Zan Strumfeld

Something to listen to this afternoon (or whenever): "What You Do" by Zan Strumfeld.

The song is off her album, Book of Belonging, which was released in August. Her Bandcamp page describes it as "winter folk for every season."

Strumfeld is on the bill for the Sydney Worthley album release show at Lucky Strike Saturday, September 9. Tickets are $10.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: political potatoes, Albany labor, old paint, rightside up, the Patroons, being a stronger person, a yurt, late-summer finds, dish ownership, working in a restaurant, the Tour de Donut, Lost & Found, mac 'n cheese, a tiny spice company, and congrats.

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Arts Center Studio Sprouts in-post ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the aftermath of hurricanes, the lives of the women who labored for at Schuyler estate, the last public execution in Albany, the old Wellington Hotel, the Albany Patroons, a rare flower, a paywall, good seats, Farmers Hardware, Vischer Ferry, salumi, good doggos, peppers, and a postcard from the awesome category.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the eclipse, things that shouldn't need to be said, an attention gap, a counterfeit bill, moving, a mountain bike mecca, a rare plant, the old Eagle Hotel, Schenectady libraries, ice cream, roast beef, beer, frozen yogurt, and Albany-themed art.

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Finding refuge: Rifat Filkins

RISSE Rifat Filkins

Rifat Filkins came to Albany from Pakistan to help run RISSE.

Last week we shared the stories of a handful of refugees who have found new homes in the Capital Region. To finish the series, we talked with a person who's not a refugee, but has learned a lot about the refugee experience.

Rifat Filkins came to the United States from Pakistan in 2009 on an employment visa to take a job with RISSE, the Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus in Albany.

Since then the program has grown from serving 40 immigrant and refugee families to serving 200 families from 22 different countries. It runs after-school and summer programs for children, teaches English as a second language, and helps immigrants and refugees get settled and adjusted in their new city.

Filkins is now an American citizen -- she has a husband and a daughter in Albany. And we talked with her about her experience coming to this country, and how we can all help refugees and immigrants.

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Finding refuge: Zina Prokofyeva, Sameerah Moharb, Sakuntala Chhetri

finding refuge Zina Prokofyeva and Sameerah Moharb and Sakuntala Chetri

From left to right: Zina Prokofyeva, Sameerah Moharb, Sakuntala Chhetri.

This week we're sharing the stories of a handful of refugees who have found new homes in the Capital Region.

One of the most immediate challenges for many of the refugees making a new life here is learning English. It's an obstacle not only for getting a job, but also connecting with the wider community.

We talked with three people who are working through this challenge.

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Finding refuge: Francis Sengabo

Francis Sengabo

Francis Sengabo came from Rwanda and founded a program to help other refugee families.

This week we're sharing the stories of a handful of refugees who have found new homes in the Capital Region.

For 17 years, Francis Sengabo was a man without a country.

In 1994, Sengabo escaped the genocide in Rwanda and went to a refugee camp in Tanzania. In Rwanda he had worked in planning and administration and later for the Red Cross and the UN High Commission for Refugees. In the camp in Tanzania he worked helping refugees while he waited for the UNHCR to decide where in the world he would go next.

He almost ended up in Australia. Thousands of Capital Region refugee families are better off because he landed, instead, in Albany.

Sengabo is one of the founders of RISSE, Refuge and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus, where he's now the operations director.

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Finding refuge: Olivier Mandevu

Olivier Mandevu

This week we're sharing the stories of a handful of refugees who have found new homes in the Capital Region.

Olivier Mandevu came to Albany ten years ago from the Democratic Republic of Congo via a refugee camp in Burundi. In Africa, he went to college and became a teacher. But a horrible ethnic conflict forced Mandevu and his family to seek asylum in the United States.

Today, Mandevu lives in Albany with his wife and five children. Since arriving here, he has gone to school and worked his way up from a hospital file clerk, to a bank employee, to his current job in finance for a New York State contractor.

Five years ago, Olivier Mandevu was sworn in as a US citizen and he is passionate about civic engagement and helping other immigrants and refugees.

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Finding refuge: Ni-Lar Way, Besa Paw, Christer-Say, Christer-Htoo

Nilar Christer Say Besa and Christer Htoo

Ni-Lar Way, Christer-Say, Besa Paw, and Christer-Htoo

This week we're sharing the stories of a handful of refugees who have found new homes in the Capital Region.

Ni-Lar Way, Besa Paw, and sisters Christer-Say and Christer-Htoo are Karen refugees whose families were driven from Burma/Myanmar to camps in Thailand.

Christer-Say and Christer-Htoo are twins. They lived in the same camp as Ni-Lar, Christer-Htoo's best friend. Ni-Lar and her family moved to Albany. Later, the sisters' parents were told they were going to the United States. They considered making North Carolina their home, but Christer-Htoo put her foot down.

"I know that my best friend is here," she remembers. "I said, mom, if you don't come to Albany I'm not going to go to America!"

Today all three girls are students at Bishop Maginn High School in Albany, along with Besa Paw, another Burmese girl who came from a different camp in Thailand.

Bishop Maginn allowed us to share a few minutes of the teen's school day to talk about their lives before and after coming to the US, and their hopes for the future.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Five Rivers return, Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, a time capsule, Bertha Cleveland, magnificent mounds of weeds, small cities, pre-paid passes, a blue ribbon, the Clove Run, the ice cream tour, Daley's on Yates, the Dino, prudishness at the buffet, playing music, and a dolphin.

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Finding refuge: Tafsela Hashimi

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Tafsela Hashimi: "I want to give back"

This week we're sharing the stories of a handful of refugees who have found new homes in the Capital Region.

Tafsela Hashimi came to the United States from Afghanistan about a year ago, with only her baby boy. She is reticent about why she fled her country for the United States -- she says she did not feel safe at home.

Tafsela wants to study. At home in Afghanistan she was forced to leave school. Here in the Capital Region, she is a single mother, raising a child, and working toward her dream of becoming a doctor.

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Finding refuge: Haeneypew Sey

Haeneypew  Sey.JPG

This week we're sharing the stories of a handful of refugees who have found new homes in the Capital Region.

Haeneypew Sey is from Burma, which is also known as Myanmar.

She and her family came to the United States nearly two years ago, after spending 23 years in a refugee camp.

Today she spends her time learning English, and working slowly toward becoming an American citizen.

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Finding refuge: Amgad Abdalla

Amgad Abdalla

This week we're sharing the stories of a handful of refugees who have found new homes in the Capital Region.

Amgad Abdalla and his family came to Albany from Sudan when he was 8 years old. He attended Hackett Middle School, Albany High, and Hudson Valley Community College, He's an American citizen now and dreams of being an engineer and working with refugees.

Abdalla's a driver and volunteer for RISSE in Albany, and still feels at home in this community of immigrants in the Capital Region because he's lived most of his life among immigrants and refugees.

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Finding Refuge: Niebiha

Niebiha

Niebiha and her two daughters on the playground at RISSE.

This week we're sharing the stories of a handful of refugees who have found new homes in the Capital Region.

Niebiha is from Iraq.

Her husband was a house painter there and she raised their children. A car crash changed her life, and forced her to find a new home.

She and her family have now lived in Albany for five years. Her husband is a driver at the Albany International Airport and Niebiha is a cook and a volunteer translator for other refugees at RISSE -- an org in the Pine Hills neighborhood center that assists refugees and immigrants in the Capital Region.

When we spoke with Niebha she was preparing to take her citizenship exam.

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Fort Orange Brewing

Fort Orange Brewing Jim Eat

Jim Eaton in the Fort Orange Brewing space. He's part of the team that includes Craig Johnson and John Westcott.

Albany's Warehouse District is in line to add another craft beverage producer this fall with the planned opening of Fort Orange Brewing.

Here's a quick overview of what's in the works and who's involved...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the construction of the Corning Tower, 18th century paint, Snowy Mountain, Doodletown, sidewalk weeds, garden company, an unwelcome guest, Lyft, Silver Fox, local farms, Field Goods, steaks, seven sweets and sours.

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Pivotal moments in our personal histories

other timelines personal alternate histories

It's Other Timelines week on AOA, in which we'll be looking at alternate histories of this place, about big and small things that did or did not happen.

Everyone has them -- moments and decisions that could have gone differently. The choices you made put you on the timeline you're on, but what if things had gone differently?

For Other Timelines Week, we talked with a few people about their own pivotal moments and personal alternate histories.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the first year, self-criticism, support, the bus station, a new roof, the melting debt snowball, a secret bog, Bear Mountain, outdoor movies, Pitney Meadow, Mio Posto, the crusade against shameless vice, downtown Schenectady then, and the Big E.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: depression in the kitchen, 1 Monument Square, the Capital District, insurance, Philip Schuyler's body, the mourning maiden, German, a river to herself, MASS MoCA, Brooklyn, a drink limit, the nothing burger, and rainbows.

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Talking about the Veggie Mobile on its 10th anniversary

veggie mobile side

Capital Roots is celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Veggie Mobile -- its rolling green market on a truck -- with a party called The Big Veg this Friday, July 28 at the org's headquarters in Troy. There will be music from a bunch of acts, food trucks, and drinks.

The Veggie Mobile is an established part of the food landscape, making stops around the Capital Region each week, selling fruits and vegetables in neighborhoods that don't have easy access to such products.

But a decade ago?

"Everybody I talked with afterwards thought it was a crazy idea," Eric Krans said to us recently about taking the job back then. He helped start the program and headed it up for almost eight years.

Eric -- who's known as EJ on the Veggie Mobile -- has since moved on to a job at UAlbany, but he's still involved with Capital Roots. And he'll be playing The Big Veg as part of The Parlor, the band he and his wife, Jen O'Connor, have had for many years.

We got together with Eric to talk about the early days of The Veggie Mobile, the power of relationships, what it was like to move on from something he helped build, and what's up with The Parlor these days.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: A festival of fungus, Thomas Elkins, William Seward, the Court of Appeals, churches, the Albany mayoral election, answers, trust, sharing food, Saratoga restaurants, French food, beer, and the magic pocket gene.

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H&L on the Hudson

H&L on the Hudson

Albany has a lot of waterfront. But it doesn't have a lot places along that waterfront to grab something to eat.

So we were happy to find our way to H&L on the Hudson this week, a food trailer set up along the riverfront at the C. Springer Marina on the south end of Broadway.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: oft-repeated and probably wrong, old postcards, the German Reformed Church, the Albany Symphony, lilies, next business day, the Tappan Zee, Portland, a small town Fourth, the harness track, walking culture, D'Raymonds, Unagi, a dish set, and one last off-leash walk..

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A look around the new -- again -- Fort Orange General Store in downtown Albany

Fort Orange General Store downtown Albany

The reincarnated Fort Orange General Store is now open in a storefront on Broadway across from the SUNY administration building in downtown Albany.

Shop owner Schuyler Bull said the store is currently in a soft opening phase. He said they unlocked the door with no announcement on Friday, and Monday posted an opening announcement on Facebook. (There's a ribbon cutting planned for a few weeks out. )

Bull said Monday afternoon that foot traffic into the store has already been brisk.

"It's been overwhelming in a very positive way," he said.

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Follow up: Troy Kitchen

Cory Nelson at Troy Kitchen 2017-June

Cory Nelson at Troy Kitchen

AOA is on summer break this week. So we'll have new follow-ups this week with people we've met and covered during the last year.

Troy Kitchen opened its doors in February of 2016 in the former Pioneer Food Coop space in downtown Troy. Entrepreneur Cory Nelson had a vision for a luxury food court and local food incubator in which small food businesses could get a start, learn the ropes, and move on to start their own restaurants. Admittedly, he had no experience in the food business when he began the venture. But Cory Nelson is an optimist.

So, now a year and a half after its opening, how are things going at Troy Kitchen? We stopped by to catch up on what's new and talk with Cory about the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, some of the lessons he's learned, and the plan for his next food court.

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Follow up: Collar City Candle

Collar City Candle Josh Jamie Wallbank 2017-July

Josh and Jamie at the Collar City Candle booth at the Troy Waterfront Farmers' Market.

AOA is on summer break this week. So we'll have new follow-ups this week with people we've met and covered during the last year.

Collar City Candle took first place in the AOA Startup Grant contest last fall. Josh and Jamie Wallbank operate the business -- making candles, soaps, and wax containers for houseplants -- out of their home in Troy, and they started selling their products at the Troy Waterfront Farmers' Market. They're putting the $2,500 in prize money from the AOA contest toward business expansion.

We caught up with them at the farmers' market on Saturday where Jamie shared some thoughts on their progress, planning, and what makes a business more than just a business.

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Follow up: Farm on Peaceable Pastures

Farm on Peaceable Pastures Melissa Parade

Melissa Parade and Fleet, the border collie. (Fleet apparently wasn't keen on having his picture taken.)

AOA is on summer break this week. So we'll have new follow-ups this week with people we've met and covered during the last year.

We first met Melissa Parade as part of the AOA Startup Grant contest last fall. She's been working to start a farm and community programs at the Tivoli Lake Preserve in Albany.

In the time since, she's assembled a herd a sheep that she's been keeping at Albany's Normanskill Farm. And in just a few weeks they'll be making the move over to Tivoli as The Farm on Peaceable Pastures.

We met up with Melissa at a barn just up hill from the Normans Kill last week to talk about the challenges of becoming a farmer, shaping a business plan, and the occasional errant sheep.

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Follow up: Berben and Wolff's

Berben and Wolffs Joey Berben 2017-June

AOA is on summer break this week. So we'll have new follow-ups this week with people we've met and covered during the last year.

A little more than a year ago, Joey Berben and Max Wolff opened a vegan restaurant on Lark Street with the goal of making food that appeals to all sorts of people -- vegan and non-vegan.

As Berben said last year, "It's just good food. Vegetable forward, plant-based food."

And it's worked. Berben and Wolff's has built a following of fans, expanded its wholesale business that sells to other restaurants, and now has an eye on expansion.

We talked with Joey Berben last week in the busy second-floor dining space that looks out onto Lark Street about drawing an eclectic crowd, staying positive, and snowballing small successes.

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Follow up: Sunhee's Farm and Kitchen

Sunhees Jinah Kim 2017-June

By Cristin Steding

AOA is on summer break this week. So we'll have new follow-ups this week with people we've met and covered during the last year.

When we first spoke with Jinah Kim in 2016, she had big plans for Sunhee's Farm and Kitchen.

The goal, she said, was for Sunhee's to not only be a Korean restaurant, but also a hub for social services, specifically focused on the refugee and immigrant community. Walking into the restaurant today, you'll find little placards dotting the walls labeling things in Korean and English -- evidence of the English classes currently offered to staff members.

We caught up with Jinah to talk about how things have progressed over the last year, including a bar and a new patio, and how she's balancing between running a successful restaurant and giving back to the immigrant community.

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A look around the new Slidin' Dirty in Schenectady

Slidin Dirty Schenectady

The popular restaurant Slidin' Dirty opened a new location in the Foster Building on State Street in downtown Schenectady Thursday. It's the second location for owners Brooke and Tim Taney, who started out with a food truck in 2012, and then opened a permanent location in downtown Troy in 2014.

The new spot in Schenectady is much bigger than the Troy location, occupying two floors behind a large arch window that looks out onto the street.

Here's a look around the new space, along a few quick bits from the Taneys about why the picked Schenectady and the path from a food truck to multiple locations.

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Pushing the button one last time to start up the State Museum carousel

State Museum Carousel operator Ann Winnicki

Ann with her favorite carousel horse, Doc. (He only has three horseshoes.)

Back in 2001, Ann Winnicki was working in the State Museum's gift shop when her boss came to her with an unusual question: What would she think about being a carousel operator?

"And I said, 'There's no carousel here.' And he said there's going to be one on the fourth floor."

The State Museum had a circa 1915 carousel in storage and it was preparing to install it on the mezzanine level. Ann remembered seeing all the carousel's horses lined up in the gallery, waiting for their place on the circular platform. "I watched them build it."

Since then, the carousel has spun for hundreds of thousands of people. Winnicki has been pushing the button to start many of those rides. But this Thursday she'll push the button for the last time. She's retiring.

"I don't normally cry," she said this week, misting up. "It's very emotional."

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the Lincoln Park Pool, die Gesängvereine, Goodnow Mountain Fire Tower, spectacular views, wildflowers, leaving the restaurant grind, Mio Posto, the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, fancy food, lunch breaks, obits, light painting, and wrong notes.

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The next UAlbany president is Havidán Rodríguez

Ualbany president Havidan Rodriguez

Havidán Rodríguez. / screengrab from SUNY Board of Trustees livestream

The next president of the University at Albany is Havidán Rodríguez. The SUNY Board of Trustees approved his appointment to the position at its meeting Wednesday afternoon. He'll start in September.

Rodríguez has been serving as the provost (the top academic administrator) at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, an institution that was formed in 2015 from the merger of two other UT institutions. He had served as provost and interim president for one of those institutions, the University of Texas-Pan American. Other stops in his career include the University of Delaware and the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez.

In introducing Rodríguez Wednesday, SEFCU CEO Michael Castellana -- who chaired the search committee -- said his selection was unanimous: "He is going to bring that university outside of its walls and he's going transform this area."

Said Rodríguez in a short speech following his appointment:

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: 19th century fashion, the state office complex planned before the ESP, the old Eintracht Halle, a temple tour, a faith journey, confrontations, a rare flower, the Blue Mountain Fire Tower, becoming a dietician, the Jackie Baldwin Memorial Scholarship, strawberries, pizza, milk crates, Dave Matthews, and The Albany Smudge.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: being our best selves, Albany and race, the Pride parade, sounding off, the roots of the New York Times, one of Albany's famous families, the history of Albany's Jewish congregations, making a change, the pizza of downtown Troy, Brown's Summer Sessions, leaving the restaurant kitchen, quiet restaurants, sweets, the Walkway Over the Hudson, gear for the High Peaks, the banks of the upper Hudson, and ribbon-seeking photos.

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Albany Dadfest in-post ad 2017

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: a vault heist, Henry Johnson, the Schuyler Mansion, plans for the Captiol area, tracing a lifetime, the Peace Pagoda, The Crows, lupine, hummingbirds, the first CSA box, brunch, the dog bar, and crates.

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Recognizing Henry Johnson -- and the people who worked to gain that recognition

Albany Washington Park Henry Johnson memorial

The Henry Johnson memorial in Washington Park, near Madison and Willett, and now includes a replica of Johnson's Medal of Honor.

"It means that we brought justice to Henry Johnson."

That was how James Dandles -- a Vietnam War veteran -- described the addition of a replica of the Medal of Honor to a monument commemorating World War I hero Henry Johnson in Albany's Washington Park Monday. Dandles was part of a group of veterans and officials who worked for decades to get Johnson's heroism officially recognized.

"It's been a long, long time coming."

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the totally believable fight over the LOB, pomp and circumstance, Pratt's Rock, the ratio of jerks to good people, faith and love, going wild, Mountain Ridge Adventure, the stresses of restaurant life, latte art, a beer dinner, Kismet, salad, enough, mocktails, an apples crate, and The Bear of Voorheesville.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: scapegoats and change, discovering fierceness, chutzpah, mountain biking, Lake Bonita, Philip Schuyler's physician, the view of the State Education Building, making pasta, square pan pie, secrets at DeFazio's, and many miles.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Comet's path, the American chestnut, the history of Tulip Festival, the epitaph that could have been, the Blue Factory, racing around a lake, Bog Meadow Brook Nature Trail, Cabaret, a culinary mashup, cookouts, Queens Day, selling a restaurant, and the grasshopper's view.

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Albany Barn birthday barbecue in-post ad

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TROY, Drawn

Troy on the Hudson. Watercolor on paper. #regionalpainting #upstateny #donmochon #midcenturypainting

A post shared by @troy.drawn on

Filed under "Local Instagram Accounts We Are Enoying": TROY, Drawn.

The account is dedicated to bringing the work of the late Don Mochon to new audiences. From a short bio on the TROY, Drawn website:

Born in South Troy in 1916, he grew up in a town that was vital with industry and manufacturing. He attended R.P.I, turning to architecture as something as close to art as he could imagine. He taught Design at the School of Architecture at RPI for many years and often served as the Dean of the School.
He believed that good design and art were partners. He invited artist friends, the painters Eddie Millman, Walter "Bud" Plate and sculptor George Rickey, to teach fine art disciplines to the architecture students. Later he was the first Director of the University Art Museum at SUNY Albany.

And from a 1996 UAlbany news item about an effort to compile a Don Mochon online archive and CD-ROM(!):

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Talking with the Tulip Queen

tulips queen 2016 Adaviah Ward

Albany's annual Tulip Festival is this weekend, and a new Tulip Queen will be crowned on Saturday.

That means the reign of the current Tulip Queen -- Adaviah Ward -- is about to end. "If anything, it's ignited a fire in me to get, and be, involved even more and keep a presence within the community," she said this week about the past year.

Ward is an Albany native who grew up in Arbor Hill and the South End, graduated from Albany High School, and is working on a liberal arts degree at HVCC with a plan to continue on at Saint Rose for an elementary education degree.

We got a chance to talk with Ward for a few minutes about the experience of being the Tulip Queen -- how it's affected the way she sees the city, what she'll remember, and what it's like to be a local celebrity.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the story of Sibbie, an Albany church history, lousy with hatters, a photo show, being serenaded by frogs, blazing a trail, recovering, the Tour de Burger, Peck's, diner breakfast, dentists, and checking off the weird option.

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Nigeria to Albany to the fashion world

Head of State fashion line

A few of the looks from the Head of State website. There are a bunch of others at the link.

This is great: Taofeek Abijako -- an Albany High grad -- was featured this past weekend in the New York Times style magazine for his menswear line, Head of State. A clip:

Abijako was still a senior at Albany High School when he released the look book for his first collection on his Twitter feed. A few weeks later, when an email from a buyer for the Japanese luxury retailer United Arrows arrived, he assumed it was a prank perpetrated by friends. The buyer asked to visit his studio; since Abijako was working out of his childhood bedroom, he demurred, and instead they met in Manhattan. "I came to New York City with my clothes in a little bag and they looked at me like, 'This little kid?!' But once I showed my work, they decided to carry the entire collection," he says with a hint of pride. His luxe streetwear line, Head of State+, features wide-necked sweatshirts, cropped half-zips, fitted jeans and loungey basics, often in warm, rich tones. But the line also moves beyond the requisite sweatpants to offer social and political commentary.

There are a bunch of interesting bits in the profile about how he raised the money for the collection and experience with the YouthFX program.

Abijako was the subject of a short YouthFX documentary directed by by Aden Suchak, in which he talks about the experience of immigrating to the United States from Nigeria.

See also this profile of Abijako from last year by Jess Winans.

Matt Baumgartner has sold Bombers

Bombers Lark Street exterior 2016

Matt Baumgartner announced Wednesday that he's sold Bombers to Jimmy Vann, who's worked there for a long time and been managing the local chain for years.


Steve Barnes talked with both of them about the sale -- Baumgartner told him: "In that way it's a little sad, but the 20-year benchmark just felt like the right time. I've not been very involved in it, I feel like I've outgrown it in some ways, and I've got other things to keep me busy." [TU Table Hopping]

There's still Wolff's and The Olde English, and he now has a farm in Rensselaer County. (Mike DeMasi talked with him a bit about the plans for the farm.) [Biz Review]

By the way: Bombers is a reference to a nickname.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the Lancaster Street Hullabaloo, "The" Hatter, GAR, the March for Science, parking tickets, the newspaper, winning in AC, buds, Girl Scout cookies, the local red sauce joint, a diner, a sports bar, comfort foods, Thai food, breakfast sandwiches, and letters for pregnant women.

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What's up in the neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: wildflowers, the luxury of carpet, Lincoln's funeral train, Rebecca Rhino, church history, an old Albany dairy, a question from a contractor, the Albany Craft Beer Festival, seasonal burger stands, restaurant coupons, Terra kitchen, taco happy hour, many steps, working through mental illness, distant family, and being part of a new thread.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: feeling deeply, melon tweaking, women-owned businesses, budgeting, Queen Beatrix's return, animal dentistry, the church that was in a factory, the floral floodgates, Good Friday at the cathedral, a cat cafe, local spirits, and the Spirit of Life.

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The Fort Orange General Store is re-opening

Fort Orange General Store Broadway pre exterior

The exterior of the shop's new space on Broadway.

The Fort Orange General Store is returning, with a new owner and a new location in downtown Albany.

The new owner is Schuyler Bull. And the new location is a street-level space at 412 Broadway -- the Argus Building -- across from the SUNY administration plaza. He's aiming for a soft opening in mid May.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the rail trail, knowing when to walk away, Sonia Sotomayor, snow trillium, running alongside, replica ships and ample bunting, old Albany newspapers, Route 50 Diner, Campagna, charmed at the tavern, ticketed dinners, pizza, and a stinky winner.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: a new plot of land, Richard Nixon in Albany, Rensselaer Churchill, early wildflowers, spring, half a rhubarb plant, a surprise wedding in Troy, tarot cards and career and pizza, Velveeta fudge, Watervliet, brunch, the Chuckwagon, and not getting over the death of a loved one.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: hope and optimism, forming a new bond, parking around Lark Street, college applications, weather grumbling, the Albany Great Flood of 1913, die Heilige Kreuz Gemeinde, old downtown, Worcester, the wine and chocolate festival, winter bites, takeout, cilantro haters, Mrs. Fearnow, and punks.

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Brunch is back at The Low Beat with Celina's Kitchen

celinas kitchen french toast

Coconut-crusted French toast is on the Celina's Kitchen brunch menu for The Low Beat. / photo: Jamel Mosely - Mel eMedia

By Deanna Fox

Celina Ottaway took a circuitous route to the kitchen, but it's paid off. The global influences of her life in business, journalism, and personal endeavors now show up in dishes for her Celina's Kitchen menus: Asian pesto, poulet creole, japchae. Together with chef Pierre Farvil, they're pulling together vibrant, rich flavors that reflect past experiences while looking ahead.

If you want to first hand taste of what they're cooking, your best chance is to bundle up and head over to The Low Beat on Sunday for the spot's latest pop-up brunch.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: an unsettling event, uncovering stories, Celtic crosses, Fritz Von Vonderblenkenstoffen, cross country skiing in the city, a snowy stroll, an icy hike, Cooperstown, photo awards, art awards, the South Troy Diner, Old Chatham, too too too, Stewart's famous, drinking cookies, a secret ingredient, and reflecting on 10 years.

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Albany Distilling opening a new tasting room and retail shop in Albany

Albany Distilling Livingston Ave exterior

The Albany Distilling Co. formally announced Friday it's opening a tasting room and retail store in a building near the foot of the Livingston Ave hill in Albany.

Here's a look at the place and what's in the plan.

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The next life of the EBA building on Lark Street

EBA Building 2017-March exterior

When the EBA building went up for auction last month, Justin Miller was part of a group that entered a bid of almost half a million dollars for the Lark Street landmark. And they won.

Then it sunk in what they'd done. And some panic set in. They had just put up half a million dollars to buy a century-old theater building.

Feeling the need to walk, Miller headed over to McGeary's in downtown Albany.

"Tess, I've got to talk to you," he said he told Tess Collins, the pub's proprietor and local mainstay, when he arrived. He had a glass of water. They talked. He started to feel better. "She's always a steady hand."

And this week, standing in the second-floor theater space at Lark and Hudson, he was sounding excited and optimistic about what's next for the building.

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Snow as temporary art installation

Melanie sent along this photo today with a note:

Like making lemonade out of lemons, Douglas Rothschild makes art out of snow and by doing so brought surprise, delight, and smiles of appreciation from many passing by Mad Lark Laundry [on Madison Ave in Albany] today. Thank you, Douglas!

(Thank you, Melanie!)

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the great leveler of humanity, a bridge in the blizzard, the "out of your freakin' mind" look, the Blizzard of 1888, ancestors, different media, a fire tower, Sleeping Beauty, a cold half marathon, a new store, some old favorites, a disappointing meal, the Colonie Diner, hiring, and Transparent Pie.

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"No Es Mi Presidente"

Local musician/activist Taina Asili has a new protest song -- "No Es Mi Presidente" -- and talked about it this week with Rolling Stone. From the interview, about music and activism:

"Within my culture and my people, Puerto Ricans, we have always used music as a tool of resistance in our folkloric art. I see this music as a part of that legacy. In general, we've seen, throughout the world, representations of that, whether we're looking at resistance songs in South Africa or folk songs, hip-hop, jazz. All of these genres really come out of musical movements of resistance. What we need more now than ever is to continue that legacy. What I resonate with now more than ever is artists that are speaking truth to power and using their voices to create a platform for social change to be more visible."

Portions of the video were shot at the Social Justice Center in Albany. And noted writer/activist/former Common Council member Barbara Smith is among the people featured.

See also this Alt profile of Asili from January.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: whatever winter this is, Great Adirondack Camp Santanoni, the first telephones, a distinguished visitor from France, a singing group, chicken teriyaki, Manchester, high-end restaurants, Ocean Palace, the Duanesburg Diner, the Tour de Burger, birthday restaurant thoughts, advice, and fixed costs.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the French marquis, 197 River Street, George Washington, store tokens, Smith's, Uncle John's Diner, wings, a disappointing dinner, snowy walks, the debt snowball, and doing our best regardless.

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Brew goes Pint Sized, plans second location (and a tiny bar)

Brew Pint Sized Albany interior 2017-February

The current shop on Lark Street.

Changes are coming to Brew, the popular beer/coffee shop on Lark Street.

Owner August Rosa says he's changing the name to Pint Sized. And he's opening a second location in Saratoga Springs -- what he believes could be the Capital Region's tiniest bar.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the Tour de Wing, mac-n-cheese, Sunhee's, barbecued frankfurters, Valentine's Day, Susan B. Anthony in jail, growing Troy, consumption, snowshoeing, winter weekends, the photo regional, the new dog, and doing your job.

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The EBA building on Lark Street is up for auction

Lark Street corner with Hudson Ave

You know the building.

For sale: Century-old Lark Street theater. Only two owners.

The building at the corner of Lark and Hudson that houses the dance company EBA, a staple of the neighborhood since 1977, is up for auction.

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Talking with Miles Joris-Peyrafitte about As You Are, and the film's upcoming local premiere at The Spectrum

as you are sundance still

A still from As You Are.

The Sundance prize-winning film that shot in this area during the fall of 2015 -- As You Are -- is set to make its local premiere at The Spectrum March 3. (Update: Here are the details.)

The film was directed by Albany native Miles Joris-Peyrafitte. And it was and co-written by Joris-Peyrafitte and Madison Harrison, both alums of the Albany Free School. It stars Owen Campbell (from The Americans), Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things), Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games), and veteran actors Scott Cohen, John Scurti, and Mary Stuart Masterson.

The film got positive reviews after its debut at Sundance last year, where it won a special jury prize.

Miles Joris-Peyrafitte will be at one of the March 3 screenings at The Spectrum for a Q&A. And this week got a chance to talk with him about growing up in Albany, learning to make movies as part of the YouthFX program, and what it's going to be like to have the film shown in his hometown.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the Blake family, Knox & Mead, purchasing your own supply of chocolate, the pearly gates, helping kids become community members, snow stress, mineral springs, snowy photos, The Tollgate, pizza, the restaurant industry, Buffalo wings, and childhood.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: giving birth, Planned Parenthood, Albany activists of the past, the old Maiden Lane Bridge, James Fenimore Cooper, Berkshire Botanical Garden, a frozen pocket swamp, Saratoga Chowderfest, Ala Shanghai, Jacob and Anthony's, meatloaf, stories, and adopting a dog.

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Paul Grondahl is the next director of the NYS Writers Institute

paul grondahl Twitter profile picPaul Grondahl is set to become the director of the New York State Writers Institute at UAlbany, the org announced Friday.

His last day at the Times Union is February 17 -- though he tells Amy Biancolli (in the TU) he'll continue to contribute columns as time allows. He's worked at the paper for more than three decades and for much of that time has been one of this area's premiere journalists. It's the end of an era. A lot of people are going to miss regularly reading his work.

From a NYS Writers Institute press release:

William Kennedy, Founder and Executive Director of the Writers Institute said "Paul is a great choice for director of the Writers Institute for a lot of reasons. Above all, he's a serious writer. He's very savvy about literature and writers, and as a journalist, he's nonpareil - maybe the best we've had in this town in 30 years or more. He's written two well-received biographies of major political figures on our local stage - Teddy Roosevelt, and Erastus Corning, the singular mayor of Albany for 42 years. Paul also got his masters in English at UAlbany and he's covered many of the major writers who have visited the Institute."

It's hard to imagine finding someone better for the job.

The only downside is that Paul Grondahl can't write a profile of Paul Grondahl as leaves the TU.

Earlier: NYS Writers Institute visiting writers spring 2017

photo via Paul Grondahl Twitter

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Jesus slumped over his iPhone, more from the Women's March, immigrant roots, dystopian themes, feeling relevant, fear of coyotes, winter beauty, soup strolling, Chowderfest, tacos, beer, restaurant books, and dogs.

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Talking with Albany artist Elizabeth Zunon about illustrating a legend, drawing on her family's history, and stoking her creativity

elizabeth zunon legendary lena horne

Check it out: A new children's book about Lena Horne -- The Legendary Miss Lena Horne -- was illustrated by Albany artist Elizabeth Zunon.

She's illustrated a handful of children's books. And like her other work, the images in The Legendary Miss Lena Horne are beautiful -- warm and textured, incorporating illustration and collage.

We bounced a few questions to Zunon this week about working on the book, an upcoming project based on her family's history, and local spots where she stokes her creativity.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: marching in DC, marching in NYC, marching in Albany, deciding to do better, skipping the pills, turning to stone, the Paradise Show Boat, an unfortunate end, Iron Roost, drinking, and thin ice..

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Messages from the "Inaugurate Resistance" march and rally in Albany

inaugurate resistance march Albany messages composite

Thousands of people marched in Albany Saturday as part of the "Inaugurate Resistance" event, one of many similar marches around the country coinciding with the Women's March in DC.

We wandered through the crowd to ask a bunch of marchers why they were participating -- and what message they hoped to send by being there.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: working to build the ESP, Albany's first dollar store, the Albany Basin, MLK, the Women's March, politics and consumer choices, winter walks, save-the-date cards, Donna's, Lo Porto's, Brava, and proud pizza.

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3Fish Coffee

3 Fish Coffee Albany Emma and Abby Fullem

Emma and Abby Fullem, two of the three fish. (Their older sister, Zoe, is the third.)

Sometimes the push to finally do that thing you've always talked about arrives in the form of disaster.

Almost two years ago there was a fire in the building that houses the Downtube, the well-known bike shop across from Washington Park in Albany. It took a year of reconstruction and renovation before the shop's showroom reopened last March.

At the time of the fire, Emma Fullem -- whose parents, Robert Fullem and Marilyn Kaplan, own the Downtube -- was living in the San Francisco area, working for an organization that helps people learn how to be food entrepreneurs. And as renovation work on the building started up, she got a call from her dad: Come home and let's open a coffee shop.

So she did. And they did.

This weekend 3Fish Coffee -- located in a former garage space alongside the Downtube -- has its soft opening. It'll be operating weekends this month and next before opening full time in March.

We stopped in recently to get a look at the new coffee spot and talk with Emma Fullem about the family story behind the shop, being a part of the neighborhood, and the search for good English muffins.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: 197 River Street, the Albany riverfront, the choicest spirits of our city, mother's Bach, the Huyck Preserve, cabins in the woods, birds, Brooks Brothers, Donna's, Fish at 30 Lake, Parivar, Field Goods, being open minded, and the last eight years.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the ass of time, favorite bites, lamented closures, sensational sushi, a new bakery, fried foods, wedge salads, empanadas, Albany strawberries, a family history quest, Dutch new year celebrations, Frontier Town, Balanced Rocks, mist-covered mountains, being busy, and a candidate with much support.

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Stuff people made in 2016

made in 2016 composite

With 2016 winding down, we're talking with a bunch of people about the past year.

Today we checked in with a few Capital Region people to find out what kinds of interesting things they made this year.

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Interesting stories to cover in 2016

2016 interesting stories composite

With 2016 about to end, we're talking with a bunch of people about the past year.

Next up: We asked a handful of local reporters about which stories were most interesting to cover this year...

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Surprises, concerns, and delights from 2016

Donald Trump at Empire State Plaza 2014-April

This guy got a few mentions.

With 2016 about to end, we're talking with a bunch of people about the past year.

So for today we asked a group of thoughtful Capital Region residents to tell us about the things that surprised, concerned, and delighted them over the course of 2016.

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Favorite local foods of 2016

restaurant navona albany exterior

An item at Restaurant Navona in Albany got a mention.

With 2016 about to end, we're talking with a bunch of people about favorite/interesting things from the past year.

First up: We asked about people around the online Neighborhood about their favorite local foods or drinks of the past year.

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Holiday gifts: SarahNicole Mahoney

SarahNicole Mahoney

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities, and wishes for the next year.

We wrap things up with SarahNicole Mahoney. She's AVP of client services at Creative Communication Associates, wife of author Dennis Mahoney, and mom of Jack and Bones.

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Holiday gifts: T.J. Kennedy

TJ Kennedy

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities, and wishes for the next year.

Next up: T.J. Kennedy is a Rensselaer County native who spends most of his time studying urban planning at UAlbany and fixing bureaucratic malfunctions within the New York State government. T.J.'s a part-time progressive activist, spreading love and striving to make the world a better place. He's also a lover of all things Upstate New York.

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Holiday gifts: Amy Klein

Capital Roots Amy Klein

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities, and wishes for the next year.

Next up: Amy Klein is the executive director of Capital Roots, a Troy-based nonprofit that is dedicated to nourishing healthy communities by providing access to fresh food and green spaces to all in the immediate Capital District.

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Holiday gifts: Rob Handel

chef Rob Handel

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities, and wishes for the next year.

Next up: Rob Handel has been cooking since his grandmother first set him to cracking eggs and peeling potatoes in her resort kitchen as a child. Since then he has broadened his culinary horizons through research and travel, as well as periods of formal study in biology, chemistry, and culinary arts.

Rob is currently the executive chef at The Bees Knees Café at Heather Ridge Farm, where he creates both classic dishes and unique preparations pairing the meat and poultry raised on the farm with local produce, cheeses, dairy, and foraged goods. When not in the kitchen, Rob can be found in the woods foraging mushrooms and wild foods, or tending to his own small home farm.

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Talks from TEDxAlbany 2016

The video from the talks at this year's TEDxAlbany event at Overit are up on Youtube. Here's a search that gathers them together.

The talks range in topic from erotic intelligence to small towns to medical marijuana. The talk embedded above is chef Ric Orlando talking about how he got into the restaurant business and what's kept him energized for it over the years.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the weight of words, being a bad mom, beautiful ice, no bad weather, hiking gifts, Christmas trees, a fable involving Albany, the Plane Boys, races run, opening and closings, hush puppies and an exhortation, a heavy sandwich, and an exit.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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Holiday gifts: Jennifer Maher

artist jennifer maher

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities, and wishes for the next year.

Next up: Jennifer Maher of Your Toy Portrait and the band Haley Moley is a painter, musician, and DJ (as Jennifer Haley) living in Ballston Spa.

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Holiday gifts: Jeff Krenn

Jeff Krenn

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities, and wishes for the next year.

Next up: Jeff Krenn is an entrepreneur, adventurer, and MBA grad; owner and operations at ToastedTech; and cocktail bartender at Speakeasy 518.

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Holiday gifts: Aray M. Till

Aray M. Till

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities, and wishes for the next year.

Next up: Aray M. Till is a jill-of-all-trades "creative": She is the editor-in-chief/founder of Save the Date in the 518 bridal magazine, a regional publication that spotlights weddings and events Upstate; the managing editor of the Beekman 1802 Almanac; and the marketing director and gallery curator of a non-profit organization, the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC). She lives for, and encourages others, to "do epic shit" everyday.

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Holiday gifts: Jeff Smith

musician Jeff Smith

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities, and wishes for the next year.

Next up: Jeff Smith. Along with his brother Kip, he started Cacophone Records, a local indie-music label, back in the mid-90s. This year, he released reissue from 1313 Mockingbird Lane, a new album from Capitle, and a best-of album from The Erotics.

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Holiday gifts: Kim Neaton

Kim Neaton from WEQX

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities, and wishes for the next year.

Next up: Kim Neaton is the music director at 102.7 WEQX, along with being the host of middays and the local music show EQXposure.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: breastfeeding in public, Facebook bubbles, being charmed by Albany, the Santa Speedo Sprint, the Boreas Ponds, Owls Head Mountain, mysterious ice, 155 River Street, an infamous murder, Anton's, ramen, manicotti, Dread Lobster, Schenectady strada, and wishes for a speedy recovery.

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Holiday gifts: Paul Curran

opera director Paul Curran

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities, and wishes for the next year.

Next up: Paul Curran is a Glasgow, Scotland transplant living in Albany. And he's an internationally-renowned, award-winning opera director -- he's directed Rossini's La Donna del Lago at The Met the past two seasons.

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Holiday gifts: Nicki Brown

Historic Albany Foundation Nicki Brown

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities, and wishes for the next year.

Nicki Brown is a southerner transplanted in Albany who lives with her husband, two cats, a a dog. She's the associate director of Historic Albany Foundation, a museum fanatic, and admirer of anything that Tina Fey touches.

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Holiday gifts: Jamel Mosely

Jamel Mosely

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we're asking people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present, charities, and wishes for the next year.

First up: Jamel Mosely -- creative director of Mel eMedia, a multimedia company he started in 2012. He's an entrepreneur, filmmaker, and foodie...

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Santa Speedo Sprint 2016 photos

santa speedo sprint 2016 key

The annual Albany Santa Speedo Sprint was Saturday afternoon on Lark Street. For the 11th year, a bunch of scantily-clad people dashed 800 meters through the wintry air for charity.

The sprint is always one of the most fun events of year, with lots of smiles and cheering. It's organized by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy, with the Albany All Stars Roller Derby, and is a fundraiser for the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at the Albany Medical Center.

Here are a ton of photos from this year

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: River Street, burial grounds, dangerous occupations, not-broken homes, trains, the Victory Wood Trail, a marathon, neon dancing, Plumb, Phoenicians, Track 32, restaurant week, fried donut pockets, cheesesteak, a pizza oven, and congrats.

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Phoenicians Mediterranean Palace

Phoenicians Mediterranean Palace Robert Rahal

Robert Rahal

The new Phoenicians Mediterranean Palace recently opened on Fuller Road in Colonie. It's the successor to the Phoenicians Restaurant on Central Ave -- and it's big. The space itself is huge, and owner Robert Rahal has big plans for it.

Here's a quick look around, along with a few bits about what's in the works...

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Maybe judging a book by its cover isn't so bad...

american girls novel cover design by Phil PascuzzoCheck it out: A cover by local designer Phil Pascuzzo -- for American Girls by Alison Umminger -- made Paste's list of the 30 best book covers of 2016.

American Girls is YA novel released this past summer. Blurbage:

Anna is a fifteen-year-old girl slouching toward adulthood, and she's had it with her life at home. So Anna "borrows" her stepmom's credit card and runs away to Los Angeles, where her half-sister takes her in. But LA isn't quite the glamorous escape Anna had imagined.
As Anna spends her days on TV and movie sets, she engrosses herself in a project researching the murderous Manson girls--and although the violence in her own life isn't the kind that leaves physical scars, she begins to notice the parallels between herself and the lost girls of LA, and of America, past and present.

Phil Pascuzzo has designed a bunch of book covers -- you've almost certainly seen at least a few of them, even if you didn't recognize them as a PepCo work at the time (his website includes a gallery). He sometimes posts new ones on his Instagram feed.

He's also done a ton of local design work -- band art, event posters, identity for orgs... including a bunch of the special AOA banners, such as the current holiday banner above.

[via @MsMansfield]

Earlier on AOA: The book on Phil Pascuzzo

Plumb Oyster Bar

Plumb Oyster Bar Troy owner Heidi Knoblauch

Heidi Knoblauch

By Lauren Hittinger Hodgson

If you want fresh oysters daily, you'll soon have a new spot.

Heidi Knoblauch, an Emma Willard grad, recently returned to Troy after years in academia to open Plumb Oyster Bar. She's another young person investing in Troy, and she aims to create something a little bit different for this area -- while building a gathering space to serve both oyster lovers and the seafood-phobic alike.

We chatted about oysters, the motivations to leave academia, and why Troy is the right spot for Plumb.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: turkey tails, Thanksgiving solo, turkey trotting, fall bites, disputed names, pizza, middle of the road, Albany's first newspaper, Charles Steinmetz, ironwork, dollars, and the wrong pants.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: differences in place, Yard Mountain, pink puddingstone, the sun-warmed sandy shore, your own pursuits, the holiday season through a child's eyes, a new charge, a long walk, Chester's Smokehouse, apologies, Dharani South Indian Restaurant, mole, and foolproof turkey.

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How people spend Thanksgiving around the Capital Region

Thanksgiving people 2016 composite

By Deanna Fox

I've been spending Thanksgiving the same way for nearly a decade: My parents drive to my house from Central New York, my mother brings chocolate pie, Finger Lakes Riesling and Martinelli's sparkling cider, dinner rolls, and squash, and I cook and bake everything else. My dad puts the snowblower on my tractor while the turkey cooks, and my kids, parents and I sit down in the afternoon to enjoy the meal together. Sometimes more friends and family are there, but usually it's the five of us.

Curious as to what Thanksgiving looks like in other parts of the Capital Region, I thought I'd ask around.

Here's how other locals celebrate the holiday...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the absent future, a challenge to what you know, being yourself, solace in nature, preserving open space, Secret Caverns, the old bell, the Patroons, Oh Corn!, feeling the heat, Thai food, deep-fried turkey, Empire Crate, no soup for you, a pizza oven, and congrats.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the messiness of democracy, the process, contradicting reality, decency, Election Cake, the menu, gangsters, bike lanes, the Fenimore Art Museum, Peebles Island, working in a school kitchen, mall restaurants, hot and sour soup, pastrami, brunch, and the things you choose to keep.

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Troy Stories

troy stories screen grab

A new project that you might find interesting: Troy Stories, which is taking the Humans of New York approach to the city of Troy.

The person behind it is Jesse Gardner. From the about page:

Troy is such an interesting place right now, full of all different kinds of people. There's a lot of change happening: a lot of good and a lot of bad, depending on who talk to. And I think that listening to and sharing stories at this critical moment in the history of this 200-year-old city can help build empathy.
For some, that means taking time to consider how differently people see the world, how different the circumstances they face. For others, these stories mean finding comfort in discovering that you're not the only person who thinks like you do. There's such strength in learning someone out there shares your fears or joys.
Consider Troy Stories an empathy-building endeavor.

The stories are also being distributed via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

There are three stories to start, and it says there will be new stories each week.

Midday music break: Cannon the Brave

Something to listen to on this dreary Thursday: "Sometimes" by Cannon the Brave.

Cannon the Brave are, in their own words, "Twin sisters promoting love through harmonic acoustic pop in Albany, NY." They have a new EP set to be released November 25 on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes and Bandcamp.

Why Stacks Espresso picked downtown Albany for its next location

Stacks Espresso owners Ron Grieco Tyler Wrightson

Stacks co-owners Ron Grieco and Tyler Wrightson.

Earlier this year Stacks Espresso Bar co-owner Tyler Wrightson was in downtown Albany looking at office space when someone mentioned the retail storefronts on the street level of the Arcade Building on Broadway, the upper floors of which had recently been converted to apartments.

"It was completely busted," he said of a space in the building's northeast corner, which had been vacant for many years.

But the windows. Really big windows. Windows that provide a view in two directions out, and allow light to stream in. So he brought the crew of Stacks down from Lark Street to see it. The conclusion: "It would be killer to do something cool here."

This Monday, November 7, Stacks Espresso will open in that Arcade Building space. And the plan is to be open from 7 am to 7 pm -- seven days a week -- to serve both the daytime tide of downtown workers and the neighborhood's growing residential population.

Here's a quick peek at the space, along with a few bits from a chat with Wrightson and co-owner Ron Grieco about why they picked downtown Albany for their second location, and why they picked it now.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Halloween in the past, the People's Line, a life centuries ago, Election Cake, costumes, nature's nastier side, the Hairy Gorilla, a spot on Central, gift cards, fall favorites, Il Faro, Cobb salad, Caesar salad, the first draft, and self reliance.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Cohoes Music Hall, a "sick and sad state of affairs," getting a passport, Lion's Head, Green and Schoharie counties, Saratoga Battlefield, where Aaron Burr stayed, the story of an RPI founder, testing what people have been saying, Spicy Mint, subs, a bus stop conversation.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: becoming a 46er, summer in October, a message for men, the rigged election, being a restaurant owner, 43 weeks of pregnancy, a hand up, the surrender of Gentleman Johnny, a tumultuous time in Troy, mineral springs, happy birthday, the Tour de Donut, Warehouse Grill and BBQ, Chops and Hops, Sunhee's, diet bread, the pizza oven project, and one moon in another..

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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Creative Every Day book launch

creative every day book cover

Earlier this year we mentioned Creative Every Day, a series of illustrated mini-biographies of local people created by artist Ira Marcks as a project aimed at inspiring kids to explore careers in the creative economy.

Well, the book of those tiny stories is now finished and it's great -- interesting, beautiful, and fun! You can check out a pdf of the book online at the first link above. We've also clipped a few pages after the jump in case you'd like to take a quick look. (But, really, go check out the whole thing.)

The book's creation was sponsored by the Work Force Development Institute. And Marcks says the institute and Proctors will be distributing the book for free to schools around the region as part of program to help kids learn about how artistic skills can be applied to a wide range of jobs.

There's a party to celebrate the release of Creative Every Day Thursday, October 27 at Troy Kitchen from 6-9 pm. There will be music from Jecco Trio, Sudharsana Srinivasan, Taina Asili, and Jamel Mosely. And everyone who attends will get a free copy of the book.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: a pretty lake with cranberries, the Boreas Ponds, Cliff Mountain, Mohawk River State Park, three counties, being more aware, changing communication, the Tour de Donut, Indian Ladder, Westfall Station Cafe, Cilantromex, the well-known resident of Catherine Street, and another bit about the Schuyler Mansion.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: a pocketful of dates, Breathing Lights, Frederic Remington, legitimate merchandise, an old marker, the Schuyler Mansion, paddling on the Hudson, Salem, the Trask Art Show, Troy Kitchen, Downtown Bistro, the Brick House, the Olde English, and happy places.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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Mid-afternoon music break: Girl Blue

Something to listen to this afternoon (or whenever you're seeing this): "Fire Under Water" by Girl Blue. There's a video embedded above. You might recognize the location.

Girl Blue is singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Arielle O'Keefe. She has an EP release show at The Hollow this Wednesday, October 5. Show starts at 8 pm. It's $10. Intell Hayesfield and One Red Martian open.

Test Drive Surprise

Check out the comedy short embedded above from Funny or Die. You might recognize a few people in it...

Yep, that's local comedian Greg Aidala, the Kate Welshofer, and Justin Alvis. The short was directed by Bobby Chase.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: how much is enough, a crash, Maiden Lane, Amelia Earhart, pretty things, a battle monument, the third trimester, being hands off, the Schenectady Greenmarket, bao art, Thai food, an unusual etiquette question, pizza touring, and ribbons.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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The 2016 AOA Startup Grant winner

AOA Startup Grant 2016 finalists group

From left to right: Josh an Jamie Wallbank of Collar City Candle, Melissa Parade of Tivoli Park Peace Farm, Sarah and Aaron Marquise of Marquise Productions.

This year's field for the $2,500 AOA Startup Grant was very strong. There were a bunch of interesting, compelling projects.

But through crowd voting -- and an AOA editors' pick -- we narrowed the list of finalists to three.

And now we find out who's won the prize. Without further ado...

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startup contest 2014 sponsor ad staff ciampino

Startup2015 Berkshire Bank in-post ad

Saint Rose in-post ad 2016

Nine Pin Cider Works AOA Startup Grant ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Henry Hudson, fur, Albany aviation, the hall of fame, splendor, Lake George, the Saratoga Palio, Szechuan food and karaoke, garlic knots, nachos, shiso, and a goodbye to summer.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the other shoe, the Great Migration, stopping for gas, the Marquis de Lafayette, Star Trek, high peaks, mountain biking, the upper Hudson, gutters, a food fest, a new restaurant in Chatham, burgers, a backyard project, and storms.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: tracing two lives, flying from Albany to NYC, Basin and Saddleback, iris eradication, the Jell-O Museum, dodging a scam, wedding gifts, dogs on restaurant patios, noodles, pasta, dinner in Lenox, and poaching.


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Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: setbacks, the need to be heard, PR, maps, a blue ribbon, Lake Placid, All Things Oz, a relay, a beautiful mushroom, Travers, restaurant tipping, back to the kitchen, a culinary competition, Minissale's, and a goodbye.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: bike lanes, summers past, a photo with a photo, morning at The Track, telephones, steampunk, genealogy, flora, topiary, careers, summer food, fish fry, Hamlet & Ghost, Villa Balsamo, diners, grilling, subs, pretend cattle ranching, and the rest of the story.

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The Troy Poem Project

Troy Poem Project Mahron.jpg

Meghan Marohn at Troy Flea

Meghan Marohn is terrible at small talk. She'll tell you so herself.

But if you want to talk about the meaning of life -- or love, time, repetition, or the Collar City Bridge -- Meghan is happy to oblige. You'll find her sitting by the river at Troy Flea, or along River Street at the Enchanted City festival or Troy Night Out. She's the red-haired writer behind the manual typewriter next to the sign that reads: Troy Poem Project.

Tell her about a person, a place, a feeling, an idea -- whatever is on your mind. Twenty minutes later, she'll hand you a poem, something fresh and new, your thoughts, distilled, refined, milled into metaphors for you to consider in a new way.

The Troy Poem Project, she says, is about more than poetry. It's really an effort to get to know people in a different way, and, if only for a moment, change the way we communicate in this busy world.

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New president and CEO for SPAC

Elizabeth Sobol SPACThe next head of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center will be Elizabeth Sobol, the org officially announced Thursday. She'll be succeeding Marcia White, he's headed up the venue since 2005.

Sobol has a resume that would seem to match up well with SPAC's programming -- she formerly the head of the Universal Music Classics label and a managing director at the huge talent agency IMG. SPAC press release blurbage:

As Managing Director of IMG Artists North/South America (IMGA), Sobol was widely considered one of the most well-respected and creative artist managers in the business, overseeing a roster of artists including Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Renée Fleming, Emerson String Quartet, James Galway, Evgeny Kissin, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and KODO. Sobol created the IMG Artists Dance Division, which grew into the most prestigious roster of dance clients in the industry, representing the Bolshoi Ballet, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Pilobolus, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Lyon Opera Ballet and Miami City Ballet. Sobol also created and oversaw IMGA's initiatives and growth in the areas of world music, jazz, contemporary music and music/dance theatricals.

Some of those performers have appeared at SPAC in recent seasons -- Fleming just this week.

So it will be interesting to see Sobol translates that experience into managing SPAC and keeping it afloat. She told the Times Union in an interview that she's looking for ways collaborating with other orgs to make SPAC "a strong player on the national and international stage."

photo via SPAC

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the Tour de Italian Deli Subs 2.0, Utica greens, Campagna, the Blueberry Fairy, growlers, outdoor cinema, the Albany Morning Express, the vet, traffic sensors, the Perseids, the Catskill 100k Relay, the Seward Range, mushrooms, old airplanes, and the warm summer night.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: mistaken histories, unclaimed mail, restoration efforts, a floral explosion, Mount Marcy, Governor's Island, tall trees, traffic signals, local not local, State Fair photos, Beacon, Italian delis, pop-ups, Peck's Arcade, La Empanada Llama, kneading, and a new arrival.

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Downtown Albany BID residential open house-2016 new date ad 525x80

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: gliding, a fire tower, hiking, Delaware County, taxi service, traffic signals, learning to cook, tacos, pizza, a pig's head, barbecue, milkweed, destination restaurants, and fireworks.

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Creative destruction

Maybe you remember a while back Lauren talked with local photographer John Bulmer about his Reclaimed series in which he took photographs of local landmarks and, using Photoshop, imagined what they would like if they were left behind by humans.

Anyway, seeing one of Bulmer's tweets today about a Reclaimed version of the Proctors marquee prompted us to check his website -- and there are a bunch of Reclaimed illustrations that we hadn't seen before, in both Albany and Troy.

Also there: The timelapse video embedded above of Bulmer working one of the photo illustrations. (It's always interesting to use to see how stuff is made.)

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: OK Slip, botanical finds, the Pine Bush Sprint Triathalon, the Boilermaker, the chances of it happening here, Hamilton, L-Ken's, lifesaving, a kitchen remodel, birthday gifts, garden neighbors, yogurt, brunch, donuts, a pizza castle, and the non-goodbye goodbye.

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Downtown Albany BID residential open house 2016-August-12 in-post ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the waitress in the photo, early telephone service, Cascade and Porter, the Mud Pond, back in Schenectady, soft serve, Troy Pig Out, Filipino food, Stella Del Mare, the courtyard, and sweaty money.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: race, family history, Hurricane Mountain, Lake Bonita, the Milky Way, a beer run, the Battenkill, a pregnancy survival list, newborn photos, the Tour de Soft Serve, not sending food back, Rascals, Kin Jo, chefs, organic food, and the museum of stupid ideas.

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Follow up: Flower Scout

Flower Scout 2016-July Colie Collen

Colie Collen in her garden in Troy.

AOA is on summer break this week. So we'll have new follow-ups this week with people we've covered during the last few years.

Last but not least in the week of follow-ups: Flower Scout.

You might remember that Colie Collen won last year's AOA Startup Grant competition. As she said then about her approach for the floral design business:

"Something that's really important to me is that the community in which I live be interested in my business. So, it's only grown as people have asked for things that then I've started to offer. Maybe that's naive -- some of your market is not your peers, or your community -- but it's important to me as a structuring principle."

Over the past year, Flower Scout has grown considerably. And she's continuing to transform a vacant lot in Troy into a garden for growing flowers.

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Follow up: The Dutch Udder Craft Ice Cream

Dutch Udder Jeff McCauley and Kehmally Karl

Jeff McCauley and Kem Karl, make ice cream with beer, wine, cider and other local ingredients. / photo courtesy of Rare Form Brewing

AOA is on summer break this week. So we'll have new follow-ups this week with people we've covered during the last few years.

Today, we're checking in on the progress of the newly-opened ice cream business The Dutch Udder.

We first met Kehmally Karl and Jeff McCauley they were finalists in last year's AOA Startup Grant contest. The Dutch Udder makes some delicious ice creams and sorbets out of interesting ingredients -- including local beer, wine, and cider.

Kem, a nurse, and Jeff, who works in HVAC, started out by making ice cream for friends, who loved it. It's been a long road from that point to running a business, but The Dutch Udder has been officially open for two months. Now they bring their cart to places like Slidin' Dirty and Nine Pin Cider Works and to local events like Rockin' on the River, the Adirondack Wine Festival ,and the Sunday night concert series at Powers Park in Lansingburgh.

We talked with Jeff about the road to opening up, and how things are going so far.

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Follow up: Nine Pin Cider Works

Nine Pin founder Alejandro del Peral

Alejandro del Peral

AOA is on summer break this week. So we'll have new follow-ups with people we've covered during the last few years.

Next up: Nine Pin Cider Works in Albany.

The first time we met Alejandro de Peral, the startup cidery's founder, it was in the summer of 2013 as they were just getting set up in a space in the Warehouse District. He told us then how meeting a group of cider makers at a tasting in a Burlington, Vermont liquor store set him on the path to starting the business:

"I'm having these conversations with these guys and lightbulbs are just going off in my head. Oh my god, I have all these apples down by where I grew up. This incredible product. These guys are cool, their whole philosophy on cider making and apple growing and the relationship between the two" -- sourcing locally from small orchards -- "is exactly what I believe and feel."

Over the course of the past three years, Nine Pin has grown a lot -- its ciders are available on tap at bars and restaurants around the Capital Region, and its bottles and cans are sold in retail outlets -- all while continuing to source its apples from the greater Capital Region.

And the company recently made a significant expansion to its production facility on Broadway, with more plans for the future.

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Follow up: Takk House

Takk House Heidi Benjamin and Frank Sicari

Heidi Benjamin and Frank Sicari

By Lauren Hittinger Hodgson

AOA is on summer break this week. So we'll have new follow-ups this week with people we've covered during the last few years.

Today we're revisiting Takk House, a wedding and event space in downtown Troy. When I first spoke with owners Heidi Benjamin and Frank Sicari, they were just getting started with the building, which many remember as a former Knights of Columbus building. In the last two years, they have put in countless hours renovating the building and have begun to host weddings, performances, and other events.

As Benjamin told me back at the beginning:

Funny story is that when we were looking up at the space a random person just announced to us in passing that it was 'the most beautiful building in all of Troy.' We both looked at each other puzzled and thought...this?
It wasn't until the showing that we completely fell head over heels in love with 55 3rd St. From the outside the space looks a bit rough due to the facade deteriorating. We never in a million years would have thought the inside would be so magnificent. It is like a hidden treasure. I think that is the best part of all.

I caught up with Benjamin and Sicari to see what it's been like to run Takk House, and got the word on their next business venture.

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Follow up: Lark + Lily

lark and lily exterior silvia lilly 2016-July

Lark + Lily. And Lilly.

AOA is on summer break this week. So, like last summer, we'll have new follow-ups this week with people we've covered during the last few years.

Just about this time last year we talked with Silvia Lilly as she was preparing to take over ownership of the popular Wine Bar and Bistro on Lark from Kevin Everleth. As she told us back then:

I understand that I have a lot to learn about the back-of-the-house, day-to-day, running of a restaurant, but I also feel as if I have a lot of front of the house knowledge to share.
I don't define success by making tons of money. Never have. I want to be successful in terms of giving our guests a memorable and positive experience from the moment they walk in the door.

Lilly -- a teacher by day, who has also worked in restaurants for most of her adult life -- has now owned the business for about eight months. She's renamed it Lark + Lily and revamped the menu to include some more casual dining options -- but kept the beautiful courtyard and the knowledgable staff.

So how's it going? We checked in with her to find out.

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Follow up: Nibble Inc

Nibble Inc 2016-June Jesse Cramer

By Lauren Hittinger Hodgson

AOA is on summer break this week. So, like last summer, we'll have new follow-ups this week with people we've covered during the last few years.

Today we're checking back in with Jessie Cramer of Nibble Inc, a donut shop in downtown Troy. Nibble is known for its gourmet donuts that are made out of a potato-based dough.

When we first met Nibble, Cramer told us that this inspiration for her shop came from eating an amazingly delicious donut in Maine:

"The best doughnut I've ever had," Cramer adds. "And I thought 'How can I make this donut so I can have it whenever I want?'"

After almost two years in business, Cramer has refined her recipe, grown her business, and is planning for an upcoming move.

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A quick look around Little Pecks

Little Peck's interior

The latest addition to the collection of downtown Troy businesses created by Heather LaVine and Vic Christopher -- Little Pecks -- is set to start serving coffee this Friday. And a soft opening with a menu of food items is lined up for the end of next week.

The concept: A cafe open morning through the evening that serves drinks, pastries, lunch-type dishes, and grab-and-go items.

Here's a quick look around the space, along with a few bits about what's planned, and a few bonus tracks...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: love, parenthood, pregnancy, the Hidden City garden tour, maidenhair spleenwort, the Fishkill Ridge, paddling, icons, a ghost sign, 19th century roller skating, Crave, Sunhee's, toppings, fancy food, and McLobster.

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The story behind Larkasaurus Rex

dinosaur walking down Lark Street

As seen last week. (Thanks again, Heather!)

Last week we posted a pic sent along to us by Heather for a dinosaur -- T. Rex, it appeared -- walking down Lark Street.

A lot of people seemed to get a good laugh out of the pic. So we followed up to ask the very important question: "What the (heck) was that about?!"

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: actions that reverberate across generations, not listening to naysayers, career tradeoffs, Daniel Manning, floods, the Dix Range, wildflowers, Huckleberry Point, memories of the Catskills, cheap eats, the happy place, a claim of burnt ends, and congratulations.

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Heather LaVine and Vic Christopher at Albany Startup Grind

The Confectionery

Update: This event has been moved to July 13.
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The Albany Startup Grind series has an event with Heather LaVine and Vic Christopher lined up for July 6 at The Confectionery in Troy. Tickets, which are being sold by the event series, are currently $10 and available online. (The price increases to $20 this Friday, and $25 at the door.) Proceeds go to support the series.

As you know, LaVine and Christopher are the owners of The Confectionery, Peck's Arcade, Twenty Two Second Street Wine Co., and the upcoming Little Peck's cafe. They'll be talking wit organizer Patrice Perkins about how they've gone about building their projects and what they've learned as businesses owners.

Not familiar with this series? Here's little bit of background from Perkins:

We're a monthly fireside chat series - each month I choose a successful local business leader and have a fireside chat about their journey to building a successful company. Agenda is networking for an hour, 1 hour fireside chat then Q&A from the audience then about 1/2 hour for more networking.
We're a global org so we tape the live chats and they go up on global website; you can see some earlier ones at www.startupgrind.com/albany

The event at the Confectionery is Wednesday, July 6 at 6 pm.

A continued focus on a-holes

curtis canham 81 a-holes

A clip from one of the a-hole wallpapers on Canham's CSA Creative Studio site.

A little more than a year ago we mentioned local designer Curtis Canham's project regarding a-holes.

You know, the negative spaces in the middle of the letter "A" in a typeface.

Canhan had a Kickstarter project going to publish a coffee table book about the topic, and it was successfully funded. Book blurbage:

A-HOLES: A TYPE BOOK is a cleverly-written art book that explores the negative space enclosed by the letter 'A'. While it makes a perfectly fun and cheeky coffee table book, its foundations are firmly rooted in the foundations and facts of typography. Curtis covers topics such as the anatomy of an A-hole, recognizing various typographic families of A-holes, the history of A-holes, and infamous/famous A-holes throughout history while spicing it all up with a healthy dose of humor and perhaps a few borderline puns. Put it all together and you have a refreshing, comedic take on a typically dry, dull topic. You'll never look at type the same way again, and no doubt you'll soon be seeing A-Holes everywhere!

We heard from Canham recently that's he's working with a literary agent to get the book picked up by a publisher for wider distribution. And in the meantime he's continuing his close study of a-holes with an Instagram account dedicated to them.

You're New Here: Perspective with distance

row house roofline State Street Albany 2016-June

As one person responded: "The primary thing I've taken from Albany is an appreciation for the historic assets of a region, specifically the buildings. Without preservation a city loses its character and becomes aesthetically diluted and undifferentiated."

Sometimes you find perspective with distance.

For You're New Here Week we thought it'd be interesting to ask a handful of people who have moved away from the Capital Region for their thoughts about this place. Specifically, we asked them:

What's something you've taken with you from the Capital Region, and why has it been important or significant to you?

It's an open-ended question, and we got a range of responses -- everything from memories, to experiences, to photos, to attitudes, to actual pieces of Troy.

YNHW in-post ad Linium

YNHW in-post ad CDPHP

YNHW in-post ad Columbia County Tourism

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Orlando, when we need to be yelled at, the first three months, sharing the road, Covered Bridges Half Marathon, a 5k in Syracuse, dragonflies, the Troy Federal Lock, globes, buying a car, a dairy farm, Fish at 30 Lake, into the restaurant kitchen at 60, dumplings, a food tour, and two thumbs up.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: rewarding views, New Hampshire, wild calla, Muhammad Ali, transit systems, a puppy, cider and cheese, spring bites, Berben and Wolff's, elusive treasure at Stewart's, an absurdly devious smores dessert, a summer menu, picking wines, and a 15th birthday.

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Jordan Carleo-Evangelist is leaving the Times Union

jordan carleo evangelist twitter picJordan Carleo-Evangelist, who's covered the city (and county) of Albany for the Times Union for many years, is leaving the paper, he publicly announced today. Friday is his last day. He's taking a job at UAlbany.

From his post over at Medium:

Not least of all, thanks to the Times Union for giving me a chance to do a job I truly loved in the capital of my home state. The TU is still full of great people doing really great work in creative new ways. I hope you'll continue to support the paper and the people who make it worth reading every day.
On the (rare) occasions that someone asks me what I think about the future for local news, I tell them that I think we get the best news we're willing to pay for. I truly believe that. You can't demand quality local news and expect it to be free. You wouldn't buy ground beef or bike helmet that way.

His departure is a loss for both the Times Union and the local media scene. Covering local government isn't always regarded as the most exciting beat, but in his coverage and our conversations with him, Jordan always came across as curious and interested in how things worked and why. That curiosity even extended to topics that don't necessarily grab headlines, despite their ultimate importance. (A recent example: His ongoing coverage of the behind-the-scenes maneuvering for judgeships in the area.)

Media orgs -- and cities -- need people like that.

photo: @JCEvangelist_TU

A place to get a tulip in a bottle -- and an Empire State Plaza bowling set

Albany souvenir stand in Cider Belly

We're always on the lookout for locally-themed cards/souvenirs/gifts, so this caught our eye this week: Cider Belly in downtown Albany has a new display of Albany-themed items, many of them created by designer Mitchell Biernacki under his Daydream Hunter Creations brand.

The display includes postcards, posters, t-shirts, and a few whimsical items -- such as a tulip in a bottle, and an Empire State Plaza bowling set.

Yep, an ESP bowling set.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Donald Trump and ants, life-changing decisions, changeless beauty, Mount Redfield, fire towers, a pub crawl, a cucumber at a time, six months of ideas, a sashimi dessert, popovers, pizza pilgrimage to Syracuse, foraged greens, the B.E.C.U.G., what's in the bag, more than a thousand miles, and raffle for Kuma.

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Talking with Berben and Wolff's Joey Berben about vegan food that can appeal to everyone

Berben and Wolff's Joey Berben

Joey Berben

By Cristin Steding

To say the guys at Berben and Wolff's are busy is an understatement.

"I've got to go make 20 pounds of seitan after this," says a smiling Joey Berben at the end of our recent interview. And that's on his day off. He and his business partner, Max Wolff, just opened a new restaurant on Lark Street, but they've been supplying seitan to a bunch of other local restaurants long before theirs opened.

Berben and Wolff's is a vegan deli, which sounds like an oxymoron. But according to Berben, "The definition of deli, as far as we're concerned, is more like specialty foods. It's specialty prepared things. It's going to be along the same lines of a typical deli -- pre-made salads, to-go things. We're selling things by the pound too, like the seitan products that we make."

What sets Berben and Wolff's apart from other vegan restaurants, is that they actually downplay veganism in the business.

"You'll notice the word vegan isn't in here anywhere," says Berben. "We're trying to disconnect from people's misconceptions about vegan food or vegan restaurants. It's just good food. Vegetable forward, plant-based food."

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Sunhee's Farm and Kitchen

Sunhee's Kitchen Jinah Kim

Jinah Kim

By Cristin Steding

Sunhee's Farm and Kitchen is a new Korean restaurant in downtown Troy with a three-part approach: farm, food and community engagement.

The family farm supplies the restaurant with eggs (and soon, produce), and the restaurant assists and employs recent refugees. It's a family endeavour, with owner Jinah Kim's mother and a longtime family friend as chefs, and her father completing the renovations to the restaurant space.

Sunhee's just recently opened, but Kim has big plans for the future. She's trying a new business model and isn't afraid the blur the line between for-profit business and social service agency.

I got together with Jinah Kim to talk about the new restaurant, her passion for social service, and her favorite Korean foods.

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Finding opportunities for growth in urban spaces

Emily Menn Troy urban garden view towards the street

By Lauren Hittinger Hodgson

Living in a city often means that you have to make the best of extremely limited outdoor space. If you're lucky enough to have a yard, stoop, or fire escape, it can be a challenge to flex your green thumb in any significant way.

Emily Menn, a Troy real estate developer and landlord, has been working on green space in Troy for the last eight years. And she's transformed a neglected double lot into a budding downtown oasis.

I chatted with Emily about how gardens in cities can build community, as well as the challenges and opportunities of urban gardening.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Automobile Row, Margarita Schuyler, the center of the Earth, hot rods, feeling 44, coaching, the White Mountains, treasured wildflowers, a Bethlehem bubble, food court date night, Bongiorno's, 15 Church, Athos, and a baked bean sandwich.

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Shirley Ann Jackson awarded the National Medal of Science

RPI president Shirley Ann Jackson was at the White House Thursday to receive the National Medal of Science. From the transcript of Barack Obama's remarks published by the White House:

Shirley Ann Jackson, who is part of my science advisory group, grew up right here in Washington, D.C. Hers was a quiet childhood. Her first homemade experiment involved, I understand, collecting and cataloging bumblebees in her backyard. (Laughter.) Two events happened that would not only change our country's course, but Shirley's. In Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal, and the Soviets launched Sputnik up in the sky, sparking a space race. As Shirley put it, "Those two events in history changed my life for good."
She went on to become the first African American to earn a doctorate in physics from MIT, the second woman to do so anywhere in America. And over the years, Dr. Jackson has revolutionized the way science informs public policy from rethinking safety at our nuclear plants to training a new generation of scientists and engineers that looks more like the diverse and inclusive America she loves.

There's video of Jackson receiving the medal embedded above.

Blurbage about the National Medal of Science: "The award recognizes those who have made lasting contributions to America's competitiveness, quality of life, and helped strengthen the Nation's technological workforce. A distinguished independent committee representing the private and public sectors submits recommendations for the award to the President."

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: wildflower finds, locks, 39 miles in Maine, the early days of motoring, running a restaurant, opening a restaurant, upstate vernacular BBQ, pizza, The Tap House at Catamount Glass, Villa Tuscan Grille, lunch at the ESP farmers' market, Savoy Taproom, Berben and Wolff's, fried cheese curds, Ron, puke, and BABY GOATS.

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Sean Rowe: "I've decided to go it on my own for this next record...with just you guys to back me"

Check it out: Sean Rowe is looking to record his next album without his record label -- and he's raising the money to do so by pre-selling the album via Kickstarter. Blurbage:

I started out singing Otis Redding covers in bars while football games were on the big screen above me. When I got signed to a record label in 2009, I thought all my dreams had come true--and they did. Being with Anti- and having them to support the creation of my last 3 records has put me in places that I had long wished to be, and I am beyond grateful for that. But the business is ever-changing, and with that, I've been feeling the need to steer the horse in a different direction. So this time around, I've decided to go it on my own for this next record...with just you guys to back me. More than ever, I see the importance of building a community, and trusting that if you work your damn hardest and truly believe in what you're doing, people will rally behind you.

The video embedded above has a bit more about his motivation.

Rowe is planning to record the new album with producer Matt Ross-Spang in Memphis this summer, according to the Kickstarter page.

The first level to back the project is $25 -- that includes a download of the new album when it's ready, along an immediate download of a new 5-track EP.

The project goal is $43,500 (as of this morning $13,806 had been raised).

The parking garage as canvas

Quackenbush Garage mural site

If you look closely, you can make out the mural pattern on the garage.

Over the next few weeks a flock of birds will emerge in downtown Albany. A flock of really big birds.

The side of the Quackenbush Parking Garage that faces the Clinton Ave off ramp from I-787 will serve as the canvas for a new mural depicting Eastern Bluebirds flying into downtown. The Albany Parking Authority commissioned local artist Michael Conlin to create the work.

"There's something great about seeing a fantastic piece of art, for free, on the side of a building as you're coming to a city," APA exec director Matthew Peter said Monday after the public announcement of the project. "It sort of feels like you're supposed to be here."

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Convenience store chic

🗽Upstate New York Represent 5️⃣1️⃣8️⃣🗽 What you know about this gas station, ice cream, coffee to go life? @seasonsskateshop @stewarts_shops

A photo posted by va$htie 🗽 downtowns sweetheart (@vashtie) on


Director/designer/model/DJ/TV commercial star/she of the 305k Instagram followers -- and Albany native -- Vashtie Kola was apparently back in town this past weekend. And who doesn't stop at Stewart's when you're in the area?

(This NYT profile from a few years back touched on growing up in Albany. See also: Matt Baumgartner's memories of working with her at Bombers. See also: This Elite Daily profile from earlier this year.)

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: miscarriage, children, room on the road, a fire tower, loving your park, the Kayaderosseras Creek, emergency agriculture, farm shares, food trucks, a sandwich shop, a fact that didn't check out, Hot Damn, the old power house, and the wrong guy.

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Fort Orange General Store is closing

Fort Orange General Store 2015 Katy Smith and Caroline Corrigan

Katy Smith and Caroline Corrigan in the store last summer. / photo: Lauren Hittinger

The owners of the Fort Orange General Store in Albany -- Caroline Corrigan and Katy Smith -- announced today that they're closing the store. From the announcement:

It is a bittersweet moment today that we announce that as of mid-June, we are saying goodbye to our beloved neighborhood shop, Fort Orange General Store. Keep an eye out for an announcement of our last official day, yet to be determined. You can be assured that the decision to move on was not easy, and was not due to lack of community support. Quite the contrary, Fort Orange was a successful and warmly welcomed venture from the start. For that, we thank you all!
Among many reasons, at the beginning of the year our Katy was diagnosed with cancer. She's doing just fine, but she will continue to need to take some serious time off to heal. Since the shop's inception, we have also both kept our full-time jobs outside of the shop, and are happily looking forward to focusing solely on our primary careers (in design and healthcare, respectively).

Later in the announcement Corrigan and Smith mention that they're open to selling the business to the right person, and include info about how to make serious inquiries.

A lot of people will be sorry to see Fort Orange close. It's a beautiful shop with a delightful selection of items, many of them with a local connection. And it seemed to fit so well along that section of Delaware Ave.

Earlier on AOA: Follow up: Fort Orange General Store

The new Tulip Queen

The new Tulip Queen was crowned over the weekend at the Tulip Festival and she's Adaviah Ward from the city of Albany. Her Tulip Court bio:

Adaviah is a Liberal Arts major at Hudson Valley, planning go on to obtain her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. She is working locally at the Lexington Center. Adaviah volunteers regularly with Albany Community Charter School and the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. She enjoys spending her time reading, journaling, singing in choir, and working with her church's youth group. Adaviah's goals as a member of the 2016 Tulip Court are to help develop educational programs for kids outside of the classroom, and to act as a mentor and role model for the community.

The Tulip Court works on community service and literacy projects during its year-long reign. Bios for the members of this year's court after the jump.

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Talking with the new manager of the Troy farmers' market

Troy Waterfront Farmers Market River Street

The Troy Waterfront Farmers' Market starts is it's new outdoor season this Saturday morning on River Street in downtown Troy.

And its 17th season includes a new manager: Liz Hammond. She comes to the job with experiences that include both working on farms and the Veggie Mobile, Capital Roots' mobile vegetable market.

We met up with Hammond this week to talk about the state of the market, its place in the local food scene, and the connections between the market's producers and customers.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: NIMBYism, neighborhood reactions, pecking orders, Woolworth's, a principal, a close gem, Phelps Mountain, a pig's head, ordering wrong, Brooks chicken, Route 20 Cafe, Greek Easter, and 17.

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Flight Paths with Darryl McGrath at the University Club

flight paths by darryl mcgrathThe University Club in Albany is hosting a talk with journalist (and Albany resident) Darryl McGrath this Tuesday about her new book Flight Paths: A Field Journal of Hope, Heartbreak, and Miracles with New York's Bird People. Book blurbage:

In the late 1970s, the peregrine falcon was heading toward extinction, a victim of the pesticide DDT. Flight Paths tells the story of how a small group of New York biologists raced against nature's clock to bring these beloved birds back from the brink in record-setting numbers..
In a narrative that reads like a suspense tale, Darryl McGrath documents the rescue project in never-before-published detail. At Cornell University, a team of scientists worked to crack the problem of how to breed peregrine falcons in captivity and then restore them to the wild.
McGrath interweaves this dramatic retelling with contemporary accounts of other at-risk species. She worked alongside biologists as they studied these elusive subjects in the Northeast's most remote regions, and the result is a story that combines vivid narrative with accessible science and is as much a tribute to these experts as it is a call to action for threatened birds.

The evening will start with a meet-the-author reception at 6 pm on Tuesday, May 3. McGrath's talk starts at 7 pm. And there will be a book signing afterward. The event is free to attend, though registration is required. Copies of Flight Paths will be available for $20.

Earlier on AOA: Birding in Washington Park

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: reaching people, the presidential primary, the Washington County Fiber Tour, wildflowers, Gore Mountain, getting into the game, red sauce joints, pierogi, Woodstock, a burger, a business expense, the universe, a poignant monument, a not-shoddy history, and a pep talk.

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Chester 5000: Isabelle and George

Chester5000 Isabelle and George coverTroy-based artist/author Jess Fink is raising money on Kickstarter for publishing the second book in her erotic, Victorian, sci-fi, romance series Chester 5000. Blurbage:

The first volume told the story of Pricilla, a Victorian woman with needs, who falls in love with Chester, a robot made by her husband, Robert. It's a romance with sci fi elements about empowering women's desire. The book was critically acclaimed and pages from it have been featured at the Museum of Sex in NYC.
The second chapter of Chester, Isabelle and George, continues the adventure and explores the character's first meetings. It follows Isabelle, a lonely orphan, reprimanded at every turn by her strict matron, and George, a promising inventor on the cusp of a brilliant invention. It's a romance with dramatic twists about secret desire, industrial corruption, and the oppressive social prisons that get in the way of love.

A few years back, we talked with Fink about her inspiration for the series, women taking control of their own sexuality, and how the identity of a creator can shape erotica.

The Kickstarter goal is $22,000 -- and the project is already past the $20k mark. Pledge rewards include a copy of book (both a pdf and hardcover), and other items.

Checking out the new Wolff's Biergarten in Troy -- and Troy Cantina

Wolff's Biergarten Troy

The newest Wolff's Biergarten opens today in Troy in the King Street location formerly occupied by a Bombers Burrito Bar franchise, just off the eastern side of the Green Island Bridge.

The restaurant group headed by Matt Baumgartner and partners took over this location after the franchise owners decided to stop operating last fall. While assessing the situation they decided to switch the concept from Bombers to Wolff's. They also added a new concept upstairs that location -- Troy Cantina -- focused on tacos and tequila.

This is the group's fourth Wolff's, joining locations in Albany, Schenectady, and Syracuse.

We stopped by Wednesday to get a look at the transformation of the space, and talk with Matt Baumgartner for a few minutes about making the switch, plans for more biergartens in other cities, and how he picks out opportunities.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: safe passing distance, local landmarks, how you got here, a mile a day, that's not a leaf, taking in the view, classifieds, there at the turning point, CIA, Hudson Valley Hops, New York hops, lunch on Lark, chicken parm, and the dump..

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: presidential candidates, volunteering, a fire tower, wildflowers, carjacking and defenestration, the Church of the Holy Innocents, career thoughts, disappointment, Cooper's Cave Ale Company, Radio Bars, wings, bagels, bad chain restaurants, Tuscany, Moveable Feast, tomato soup cake, photos, and gathering 'round the hearth.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: differentiating cookies, Tagalongs, bagels, Off Shore, Asian-Mexican fast-casual fusion, red sauce, brunch booze, organizing workers, a typical Syracuse experience, running, horse riding, seeing things differently, a statue, stocking up, letting go, and the fridge list.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the people always with us, passing room, bloom season, gardens, an idyllic village, fire towers, Ten Broeck, healthcare history, splitting the check, TVs in restaurants, a crappy thing, The Sushi House, a cuisine mashup, Peking duck, and that time the ring broke.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: hiking in the Adirondacks, an aptly-named park, signs of spring, a ghost sign, beer history, 19th century Twitter, improper diversions, Hudson, winter dishes, savory wonderfulness, cheese scraps, best-of picks, connecting with other people, being the owner, a remembrance, the embrace that moves outward.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the unearned reward, the road diet, Albany sidewalks, a UPS odyssey, buying a car, Mount Marshall, details, the Eagle Theater, Hurstville, a veggie burger, chain restaurant cognitive dissonance, "Shamrock Thursday," a birthday dinner, a birthday cake, Dali Mamma, chicken riggies, and brokenness.

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Libraries are about books. And the internet. And technological change. And community.

Albany Public Library Washington Ave 2016

It's different things to different people.

We're always curious about people's jobs. And not just "What do you do?" -- but also "How do you do that?" and "What are the new things?" and "What surprises you about your job?" Stuff like that.

And it's especially true when it comes to jobs that might seem to be about one thing, but actually are about all sorts of things. (As it happens, that's most jobs.)

Like, when you think about libraries, you probably think of books. Because... obviously. But as we found during a recent chat with Albany Public Library executive director Scott Jarzombek, the internet is now a big part of modern public libraries.

So our conversation ended up being about all sorts of stuff -- about why people are waiting to get into libraries in the morning, ebooks versus old-school books, libraries as community hubs, the persistence of old media, and... the best books he's read recently.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: craft brewing, chicken wings, fish fry, 15 Church, MAAC-n-Cheese, vegan food, fried chicken and pinball, Boston, thyme and time, pizza, self-evident truths, entrepreneurship, hiking, waterfalls, highway building, Aunt Schuyler, and creative photography.

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Coming to Lark: Berben & Wolff's Vegan Deli

exterior 227 Lark Street

The space at 227 Lark Street.

A new vegan deli -- Berben & Wolff's -- is set to take over the Brakes Coffee House space at 227 Lark Street in Albany later this spring.

Berben & Wolff's is backed by Joey Berben and Max Wolff. About a year and a half ago they started selling seitan -- a protein product made from wheat gluten -- to local restaurants, as well doing pop-kitchens and event catering. They now make a range of vegan products: breakfast sausage, chicken wings, chorizo, burgers.

"We have both always been very involved in food." Berben told AOA via chat today -- he's worked in the deli at Honest Weight, and Wolff is a restaurant chef. "There has been quite a lack of vegan restaurants in the area, so I began hosting events and cooking for friends. I was approached by Max last year about starting a legitimate business selling some of the seitan products I made. It took off pretty quickly and has been doing very well."

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: a nice thing, what's in our control, scenes from a bar, the Collar City Creamery, a ski weekend, a half marathon, beach weather, the foggy Mohawk River, local versus national, Lenten fish fry, Troy Kitchen, duck, a breakfast burger, copycats, and sausage cabinetry.

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A look at Troy Kitchen

troy kitchen pre-opening exterior

By Lauren Hittinger Hodgson

When you think of a food court, your first thoughts are probably of shopping malls and crappy fast food.
Troy Kitchen -- opening in downtown Troy Friday -- is hoping to change that.

The food court is an amalgamation of food and drink vendors located in the former Pioneer Food Co-op space on Congress Street. The venue is the brainchild of Cory Nelson, who confesses that he has no food service experience, but saw a business opportunity.

I talked with Nelson earlier this week as work was finishing up on the space to get the details on his food vendors, inspiration, and goals for the venue.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: lopsided deals, Corninged Beef Tower, Albany garbage then, great great grandparents, Mine Kill State Park, Kayaderosseras Creek, close calls, becoming a restaurant owner, Mac-N-Cheese Bowl, a beer dinner, Hong Kong Bakery & Bistro, The Ruck, a breakfast sandwich, burgers, Ama, a dream window, and having someone nearby.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: learning to love, trolleys, a soul effigy, Crane Mountain, Tour de Wings, Nirvana, Death Wish Coffee, a new menu, gluten-free pizza, a cozy Italian spot, brewing, Summer in February, and the Vivaldi's Pond.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: living in world-class food shed, Sentinel Butchery, restaurant snippets, Chowderfest, Chester's Smokehouse, a Chinese New Year dinner, an Italian grandma dinner, pizza, trying a chain again, donating blood, a fight over tolls, the Plotter Kill, the effect William Seward had on people, Trivia Bowl, and what women want.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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Creative Everyday

creative everyday adam cresko clip

Here's the rest of the story. / image: Ira Marcks

Check out these charming comic stories about real people and their creative work by Troy-based artist/writer/educator Ira Marcks. Each tiny story in Creative Everyday covers the general arc of the person's work, from when they were a kid to how it's become a part of their life today.

Blurbage:

Ira Marcks is drawing a comic to inspire kids to explore careers in Upstate NY's Creative Economy. The book is called Creative Everyday. With the help of the Workforce Development Institute and Capital Repertory Theatre's 'On The Go' School Tour, the book will be distributed for free to 10,000+ school kids around NY State.
Right now, Ira is collecting TRUE TALES from creative professionals about the triumphs, trials, and tribulations of ART & LIFE colliding.

If you have a story you'd like to share, Marcks has an online form for you to fill out.

Redeveloping a corner in Troy

former trojan hardware building exterior 2016-February

The former Trojan Hardware complex includes multiple buildings that were connected during the former store's almost century-long run.

By Lauren Hittinger Hodgson

Some projects aim to remake a single space or building. Kevin Blodgett has been remaking an entire corner of downtown Troy.

Since 2012, Blodgett has been redeveloping the former Trojan Hardware complex on the corner of Congress Street and 4th Street bit by bit. Spaces within the 35,000 square feet now provide homes to Rare Form Brewing Company, The Shop, and most recently, Forage + Sundry. And this spring Harrison's Corner Market -- a neighborhood grocery and sandwich shop -- is set to open.

I talked with Blodgett recently about his hopes for selling groceries in downtown Troy and the challenges of developing such a large space.

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She won Jeopardy three times -- and arm wrestled Alex Trebek

Amelia Hershberger on Jeopardy

A few hundred people appear on Jeopardy each year. And of those, only a handful end up as winners on the quiz show. And even fewer end up arm wrestling Alex Trebek.

Actually, there's probably only one contestant who'll end up arm wrestling Alex Trebek this year. And that person is Amelia Hershberger from Albany.

The Center Square resident -- she grew up in Greene County, went to UAlbany, and now works for the state courts system -- racked up $43,000 in prize money in the course of winning three times in episodes that aired last month.

And then there was that whole situation with Alex Trebek and the feats of strength.

We got a chance to talk with her recently about superfluous knowledge, the real scoop on Trebek, spending the prize money, and her Albany Jeopardy categories...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the proposed Albany-Rensselaer tunnel, comments, escaping turkeys, Patsy's, a pinball arcade, Frontier Town, going back to school, Parivar, wild game, Van's, Soul Kitchen, burgers, a blow torch, NYC, and a return.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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A quick scan of the reviews of As You Are at Sundance

as you are sundance still

Updated with another review.

The movie As You Are -- which filmed in/around Albany last year, and is directed by Albany Free School grad Miles Joris-Peyrafitte -- debuted at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival this week. Here's a clip from the festival description:

Set in the early 1990s, As You Are unfolds as a series of disparate memories. Prompted by a police investigation, we witness alternating perspectives of pivotal moments in the relationship between three teenage friends: Jack, Mark, and Sarah. Bound by their aversion to the culture around them, Jack and Mark explore the limits of friendship and love until Mark's judgmental father tears them apart.

The film stars Owen Campbell, Charlie Heaton, Amandla Stenberg, Scott Cohen, John Scurti, and Mary Stuart Masterson.

There are already a handful of early reviews, so here's a quick scan...

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Talks from TEDxAlbany 2015

The video of the talks from the TEDxAlbany event at Overit in Albany last month are up. Here's a video playlist on YouTube that gathers them all together (plus one that's not on there).

The topics of the talks range empathy, to exotic physics, to coloring books, to public health. The talk embedded above is from local comedian Jaye McBride, who spoke about her own experience as a transgender person and some of the challenges people face after they transition.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: sick days, The Cheese Traveler, the Hot Spot, pizza, chicken and waffles, wings, Olde Bryan Inn, bourbon, spaghetti and meatballs, the Bob & Ron's sign, paying for media, geology and destiny, spires, Spruce Mountain, an island in a frozen lake, a pub run, past curfew, and waving goodbye.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: losing yourself, the Tom-and-Jerry struggle of adulthood, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Crane Mountain, the frozen shore, Eliphalet Nott, 10,000 Maniacs in a dingy bar, the view from Brown Tract Pond, Chez Nous, becoming a believer, Crave, chicken sandwiches, nominations for the Tour de Electric Wings, and starting over.

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Arm wrestling Alex Trebek

Amelia Hershberger -- "a management analyst from Albany, New York" -- will be back on Jeopardy Thursday night going for her third win. (She's already racked up $37,000.)

But the "bizarrely strong" Hershberger has already come so close to the dream of so many who have ever watched Jeopardy: putting Alex Trebek in his place.

(Sure, Alex acted like he wasn't trying that hard... but we all know the truth.)

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: dog poop, Rooster Comb, Red Hook, ice, a double rainbow, yoga, Schenectady's first school, amazingly good pizza, a beautiful breakfast, new beers, an old cookbook, and travels farther afield.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: bests of 2015, being present, being alone, food and family, the Hangover Half Marathon, the small world, the Westinghouses, Justin's, Innovo, Dutch Pot, bad chain cheeseburgers, pizza, coupons, burrowing, and Christmas tree tossing.

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So, Shereesha Richards is pretty good

ualbany basketball shereesha richardsIn case you haven't been paying attention:

+ UAlbany senior Shereesha Richards is averaging 24.4 points per game, a rate that ranks third in the nation in women's Division 1 college basketball.

+ Richards is putting up those points while shooting 59 percent from the field, good for 17th in the nation. (We'd love to know what her offensive rating is. Why is there no KenPom for women's college basketball?!)

+ While making all those buckets, Richards is averaging more than 8 rebounds per game (including almost 3 offensive rebounds per game).

+ Richards was named the America East women's basketball player of the week this week. That's the third time she's gotten the honor this season. And the 18th time in her career (a conference record).

+ In the Great Danes' last game -- a 74-70 win over Yale last Wednesday -- Richards had 31 points (on 13-19 shooting from the field) and 12 rebounds. It was the 11th time she's put 30 or more in a game during her career.

The Great Danes women's basketball team -- four-time consecutive conference champion, and 9-3 this year so far -- starts America East play at UMBC this Wednesday. Then they're back home at SEFCU Arena against Vermont this Saturday at 2 pm. Tickets start at just $5 to see one of the best college basketball players in the nation.

Stuff people made over the past year

stuff people made 2015 composite

With 2016 starting, we're asking a bunch of people about favorite/interesting things from 2015.

Last, but certainly not least: To get inspired for the new year, we checked in with a bunch of people about stuff they created over the past year -- from companies to foods to gardens...

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Favorite local foods of 2015

snowman boston shake

A favorite treat. / photo: Lauren Hittinger Hodgson

With 2016 about the start, we're asking a bunch of people about favorite/interesting things from 2015.

First up: Favorite local foods or drinks of the past year.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: almost buying a house, the Bethlehem Christmas sign situation, a Star Wars marathon, the cycling history of Albany, governors, mountain biking, dogs, burgers, First Choice, brunch, beer bottles, and travels farther afield.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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Holiday gifts: Rebecca Haizmann

Rebecca Haizmann

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So, once again, we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today we talk with Rebecca Haizmann. By day, Becky coordinates communications for the Downtown Albany BID. When she's not coordinating communications, she's likely to be home taking hundreds of pictures of her dogs. But she's not a crazy dog lady. She swears it.

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Holiday gifts: Jacques Bastien

Jacques Bastien

Jacques Bastien loves his mouse.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So, once again, we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today we talk with Jacques Bastien, entrepreneur and CEO of Boogie, a company he founded as an undergraduate at UAlbany. He's also now a lecturer at UAlbany.

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Holiday gifts: Albany Archives' Matt Malette

Matt Mallette

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So, once again, we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today we check in with Matt Mallete. He's the creator of Albany Archives and the Albany Postcard Project. Matt's also a graphic designer for a local television news channel, trivia host, and somewhat avid runner.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: new traditions, the Christmas tree index, kitchen salaries, foggy photos, an unusually-low lake, Albany Rural, warm December, a rescue dog, craft brewing, internal dialog, Texas Roadhouse, donuts, the Wine Bar, Chinese food, lobster, and lessons from dad.

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Minnie Clark Bolster's personal Saratoga museum

minnie bolster collection composite

More than 50 years ago in a Vermont antique shop, Minnie Clark Bolster asked her husband if he thought $3 was too much to spend on an old Saratoga bottle. Years later she would sell that bottle for $75. But more important than the profit, that day marked the beginning of an incredible collection of Saratoga history.

The collection came to include chairs, tables, and skeleton keys from the famous Saratoga hotels; photos by her brother-in-law, George Bolster; postcards; books; paintings; stories; and more. It takes up much of her home.

Bolster herself is a treasure trove of Saratoga history. Born in the Spa City in 1920, she's a 1938 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School who worked for lawyers and judges in the city for most of her life. She's written three books and is working on a fourth book about the land that is now Saratoga Spa State Park and the people who lived there.

Bolster's now 95 years old, and she's started parting with her collection, selling it piece by piece to friends, collectors ,and antique dealers in an effort to ensure these nuggets of local history have a good home.

Last week Minnie gave us a tour of what is left of the collection -- which is a lot. Here's a look...

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Holiday gifts: Jaye McBride

Jaye McBride

Jaye wants more ho, ho, ho this holiday season.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So, once again, we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today's person is Jaye McBride, a Capital Region-based stand-up comedian who has been featured at clubs around the country.

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Holiday gifts: Julie Madsen

Julie Madsen - tulips

Julie and the tulips.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So, once again, we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up is Julie Madsen -- a lover of new experiences, author of Julie Journeys, and a contributor to AOA.

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Santa Speedo Sprint 2015 photos

Speedo Sprint Marry me sign.jpg

Spoiler alert: She said yes.

Mele Kalikimaka. The weather for this year's Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday wasn't exactly Hawaii, but at nearly 60 degrees It was a lot less chilly than the Capital Region's swimsuit clad runners are accustom to.

This was the tenth year for the Speedo Sprint, organized by by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy as fundraiser for the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at the Albany Medical Center. This year's sprint brought out 250 runners, hundreds of spectators and raised $13,000.

As always, a good time was had by all. But this year's event included a romantic surprise.

Here's a look at the scene...

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Holiday gifts: Patch Gallagher

Patch Gallagher.jpg

Spoiler alert: There is no Red Ryder bb gun on his holiday wish list.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So, once again, we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Since a young man's gift is at the center of the classic holiday tale A Christmas Story, we asked Patch Gallagher, one of the kids in Capital Rep's current production of A Christmas Story, The Musical for his thoughts on holiday gifts this year.

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Holiday gifts: Chopsticks Optional

Chopsticks Optional creditYTK.JPG

These adorable figures are not the real Chopsticks Optional. (The real people Chopsticks Optional are even more adorable.)

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So, once again, we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today we check in with J+R of Chopsticks Optiona, who devour their way through the culinary cornucopia of the Capital Region and beyond, documenting her obsession for sushi and his love for poutine.

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A bid to SPARK + THRIVE in Arbor Hill

42 N Swan exterior 2015-December

At the corner of North Swain and Third Street.

A new co-working space is set to open just down the street from the Albany Barn in February. SPARK + THRIVE is billed as a "collaborative workspace for freelancers, creatives, startups, professional small business owners and college students." The founder of the space is Kaciem Swain -- he'll be running it via his startup agency Flagship Ultra, in partnership with the Albany Housing Authority.

We got a chance to talk with Swain recently. He's an interesting guy, with a wide range of business experiences -- from event production, to entertainment management, to marketing.

So we were interested to hear his thoughts about opening a co-working space, and the direction of Albany's Arbor Hill neighborhood.

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Holiday gifts: Craig Gravina

Craig Gravina -Holiday.jpg

Cheers, Craig!

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So, once again, we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today's thoughts come from Craig Gravina, self-described beer history nerd and co-founder of the Albany Ale Project. He's a font of fascinating beer knowledge, one of Albany's biggest fans, and an awful lot of fun.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the real America, Albany's history of slavery, the Church of the Holy Innocents, an old cemetery, Mount Adams fire tower, Dippikill, Lake Bonita, pizza touring western New York, The Breakfast Spot, fried foods, brunch, baking, NYC, and Vegas.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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Holiday gifts: Karen Tararache

Karen Tararache covering Pope in DC

Karen Tararache in DC earlier this year, covering the Pope's visit to the US.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So, once again, we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today's thoughts on gifts and giving come from Karen Tararache. Karen is an anchor and reporter for Time Warner Cable News. She's also the co-founder of Studio Six Theatre Company in New York City.

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Holiday gifts: Truemaster Trimingham

Truemaster Holiday.jpg

Truemaster spending time with his niece Terrease and nephews Andre and Kanian.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So, once again, we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

We start with Truemaster Trimingham, AKA DJ Trumastr.

Occasionally you encounter people who make you feel a little better about the world around you. Truemaster is one of those people. Yes, he's an interesting guy -- and one of the most talented DJs in the Capital Region -- but we've also found him to be a thoughtful, kind person with an uplifting spirit.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: deliveries by the Core Five, giving thanks, turkey trotting, the smell of Christmas, a view of Albany, Orange Jelly Fungus, upstate, cycling, a new brewery, highly-touted sushi, calling BS, bliss-inducing croquets, and bringing peace to each other.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Bob & Ron's, local icons, a choice facing Albany, close calls, Albany media then, Moreau Lake, a bar tab, sushi, the Gateway, fast food, pizza, a found couch, and going around and around.

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Baking that Albany Cake

albany cake two versions closeup

Same recipe, two different interpretations.

Last week we mentioned that 1828 recipe for "Albany Cake" (thanks, Pamela!), which prompted a a discussion about some of the quirks of the recipe and what the cake might be like.

Well, Greg Kern -- the pastry chef at Peck's Arcade in Troy -- saw the recipe and decided to actually try it.

So we thought it'd be fun to talk with him about how it worked out...

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"She's very modest... but she stole the show"

Last year around this time, Capital Region native Gabby Pizzolo was performing as Young Fiona in a production of Shrek at the Schenectady Light Opera Company.

This year? Oh, you know, Michelle Obama is praising her during a "Broadway at the White House" event while she sits between Andrew Lloyd Webber and Matthew Morrison (see the video above). Among the other attendees: Gloria Estefan and Whoopi Goldberg.

So, a pretty typical year-to-year change for a 12 year old.

Pizzolo has already played a starring role on Broadway in Matilda. And she recently stepped into one of the star roles in the Tony-winning Broadway musical Fun Home.

Earlier on AOA:
+ From the Capital Region to Broadway
+ The Capital Region's theater district

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: a term that doesn't fit, Albany High School, Albany as a media capital, once-popular clubs, farming reality, mountain biking, hiking along the border, a new trail, a dash, upstate cuisine, favorite fall bites, the new wine shop, a new brewery, tequila, Tara Kitchen, and fun at the dentist's office.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: flying under the radar, high-speed rail, Metroland, BULT, settling in, art, New Paltz, Toronto, the somber landscape, Innovo, a seitan chicken club, and too much.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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He beat Bobby Flay

ric orlando beat bobby flay

New World chef Ric Orlando was on the Food Network show Beat Bobby Flay Thursday night.

And he won!

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Catching up with Sean Desiree of bell's roar and South End Pallet Works

bells roar sean desiree press photo

Sean Desiree's gotta be one of the most interesting people we've met over the last year. She's both a talented vocalist/multi-instrumentalist/producer, producing music under the name bell's roar, AND a talented furniture maker, working as South End Pallet Works.

There's a new bell's roar EP arriving next week, and Desiree's playing a show at the Low Beat this Friday night to celebrate.

So we figured this would be a good time to see what's up with both...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: fighting the fun police, jumping out of a plane, Owls Head Mountain, the Squirrely 6, rambling, a cemetery tour, the idea of a national university in Albany, trash cans, a pizza pilgrimage, Toga Nola, Peck's, ramen, schnitzel and calamari, smoked maple syrup, dogs on restaurant patios, moss-covered bison, and weeping over office equipment.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: living forever, pie for breakfast, the awkwardness of middle school, The Book of Mormon, the grim past of an Albany park, the old riverfront, the Montezuma Refuge, foliage, restaurant kitchens, the bar at the Renaissance, diners, a burger, a beer dinner, sushi, tofu steak, and the Cathedral of St. Philco.

Neighborhood in-post ad APL 2015

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You shouldn't trick-or-treat out of the trunk of a car

Kate has some strong feelings about Halloween.

The art of creating a burger

looking into the kitchen at Crave

Looking through the pass into the kitchen at Crave.

We have a string of burger-related posts this week -- let's call it a fast-casual theme week.

Burgers are burgers -- some places might execute better than others, but when you get down to it, everyone pretty much has the same thing, right?

That's not the case at Crave, which recently opened at the corner of Western Ave and Quail Street in Albany. Co-owners Devin Ziemann and Kaytrin Della Sala have created a menu of more than 20 different types of burgers that spans from the classic American cheese burger, to a lamb burger with curry mayo, to a French onion burger, to a turkey burger inspired by pastrami, to a kung pao shrimp burger.

"We get people in here three, four times a week trying to conquer the menu," says Ziemann, a chef who headed up other kitchens around the Capital Region before he and Della Sala decided to open something of their own. "The list is so big because there were so many [burgers] that we were, like, we can't get rid of that one, it's awesome."

So we thought it'd be fun to have Ziemann walk us through his thought process when creating a burger...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the Cohoes Mastodon, frostweed, Jay Mountain, running, Syracuse, the scary, art, supper club, restaurant stories, pickles, Sonic, Saratoga, Schuylerville, pumpkin products, an odd hat, and getting turned around.

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Sentinel Butchery

sentinel butchery exterior

The shop is on the street level of the building at 225 River Street, which once housed the Troy Sentinel. (The Sentinel was the newspaper that originally published "A Visit from St. Nicholas.)

A new whole-animal butcher shop -- Sentinel Butchery -- is opening on River Street near Monument Square in downtown Troy this Saturday.

Whole animal? That means Sentinel will be bringing in whole cows, pigs, lambs, and other animals and then making use of every part of the animal for a range of products.

We stopped by this week to talk with owner/butcher Emily Petersen for a few minutes and a get a quick look at the shop.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: a conversation about guns, job sprawl, river views, the Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail, the Huyck, liverwort, a snake, the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon, bike trips, canals, online reviews, vegan pizza, what cities taste like, brunch, and smart companies.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: two contrasting experiences, feeling old, laughing at life, a ghost sign, a beautiful old map, ancestors, trigger warnings, springs, the Bridge of Flowers, what's fermenting on the farm, being judgy, Innovo Kitchen, Memphis King, and the best bottle of cheap wine.

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Excited raccoon!

furiously happy jenny lawson coverCheck it out: The cover for the new book of essays by Jenny Lawson (AKA, The Bloggess) -- Furiously Happy -- was designed by local designer Phil Pascuzzo.

Pascuzzo -- work works under the name PepCo Studio -- has designed a bunch of book covers (he sometimes posts new ones in his Instagram feed). A few years ago he talked with Melissa about how he got into designing book covers, and his design process:

I always try and read the manuscript before starting the design process. Sometimes the book isn't complete so I can only read a partial manuscript or just a synopsis page. Reading the book really helps me to respond emotionally to the design problem. This in turn makes the connection between the potential reader and cover stronger.

In addition to book covers, Pascuzzo's designed all sorts of posters, packaging, and logos (including the early Twitter bird logo). You've almost certainly seen his work locally (even if you haven't realized it) -- recent examples include the Albany Public Library's new logo and the Tulip Festival poster.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: cider donuts, people who talk during movies, the Adirondacks, New Hampshire, Round Lake, the Albany History Race, the old Schaefer Brewery, steak on a stone, brunch, becoming a restaurant owner, falafel tacos, curling season, and the blood moon eclipse.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: a requiem, faith, getting older, gentrification, New Hampshire, Toronto, the Woodlawn Preserve, a half marathon, the Tour de Donut, Saratoga Wine and Food Fest, Hoptember, summer bites, okra, concrete, aerial photos, and Nipper rightside up.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: stretching the umbilical cord, the busking incident, Albany from above, the Longhouse Revival, the Thousand Islands, hiking, wildflowers, the Hudson Valley Winfest, and the good things.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: school lunches, laughing in the face of death, the Democratic primary, Indian Head, yoga on a board, wildflowers, an autumn bucket list, a birthday dinner, Black & Blue, onion rings, and Bab-O.

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Superior Merchandise Co.

superior merchandise exterior

By Lauren Hittinger

Opening in Troy this Saturday is Superior Merchandise Co., a shop that combines a home goods boutique, a coffee bar, and a florist. While it seems like an eclectic mix, somehow everything fits together in this Fourth Street business.

It has not been an easy journey for Felicity Jones and Mike Romig, who are co-owners and partners. They have spent two years transforming a building that was slated for demolition into a comfortable and hip shop. Much of their aesthetic inspiration comes from Copenhagen, with an eye toward creating a simple, clean, and modern interior.

I was able to stop by in advance of their opening to catch a glimpse of Superior Merchandise Company and to chat with some members of their team.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: monuments, the kiosk mentality, the Santanoni Range, horses, four miles in the dark, a tea factory, Travers Day, Ama Cocina, korean BBQ, metal needs, and railroads.

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Mid-afternoon music break: Olivia Quillio

For a break this afternoon: "Righteous Arms​/​Honest Hands" by Olivia Quillio. It's off her her new album Get Down and Pray.

Quillio is celebrating the new album with a free show (this) Monday evening as part of the Dana Park Summer Concert Series in Albany. The show starts at 5:30 pm with Meara McTague, and Olivia Quillio at 7 pm.

Earlier on AOA: Interesting in 2011: Olivia Quillio

Not on Fire, but Burning

not on fire but burning by greg hrbek coverA book to keep an eye out for: Not on Fire, but Burning by Greg Hrbek, a writer in residence at Skidmore. The novel is set for a September 22 release and is already getting attention -- including a starred review in Kirkus and a spot on the "most anticipated" list over at The Millions.

From some of the publisher blurbage:

Twenty-year-old Skyler saw the incident out her window: Some sort of metallic object hovering over the Golden Gate Bridge just before it collapsed and a mushroom cloud lifted above the city. Like everyone, she ran, but she couldn't outrun the radiation, with her last thoughts being of her beloved baby brother, Dorian, safe in her distant family home.
Flash forward to a post-incident America, where the country has been broken up into territories and Muslims have been herded onto the old Indian reservations in the west, even though no one has determined who set off the explosion that destroyed San Francisco. Twelve-year old Dorian dreams about killing Muslims and about his sister--even though Dorian's parents insist Skyler never existed. Are they still shell-shocked, trying to put the past behind them . . . or is something more sinister going on?
Meanwhile, across the street, Dorian's neighbor adopts a Muslim orphan from the territories. It will set off a series of increasingly terrifying incidents that will lead to either tragedy or redemption for Dorian, as he struggles to prove that his sister existed--and was killed by a terrorist attack.
Not on Fire, but Burning is unlike anything you're read before--not exactly a thriller, not exactly sci-fi, not exactly speculative fiction, but rather a brilliant and absorbing adventure into the dark heart of an America that seems ripped from the headlines. But just as powerfully, it presents a captivating hero: A young boy driven by love to seek the truth, even if it means his deepest beliefs are wrong.

There's a book launch party for the novel at Northshire Saratoga October 1.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: a transition, crossing the street, dealing with the city, the Livingston Avenue Bridge, the river with less water, running at Thacher Park, Track season, wedding details, Peck's Arcade, an insiders dinner, customer threats, and a catabetic emergency.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the people who say "jump," the top of New York State, helpful people, goat photography, animals at the fair, the Tour de Italian Deli, Dali Mamma, Lake Local, shishito peppers, corn, becoming a restaurant owner, a waypoint, and breaking down.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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A stolen summer day: outside

sand island sacandaga lake

Sometimes the best places to get away are a little out of the way.

If you're lucky enough get a summer day all to yourself -- no work, no commitments, no rush -- you've gotta spend it outside, right?

Because as cold and harsh a winter's day here can be, we also get some of the most beautiful summer days -- bright blue skies with puffy white clouds, warm sun, and the occasional cooling breeze.

So we asked a handful of people who love spending time outdoors how they'd spend a stolen summer day...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the middle school lunch room, winning photos, beautiful views, the Santanoni Preserve, a milkweed murder mystery, paperwork, Track season, farmers' market skepticism, unusual soft serve, charred pizza, the Tour de Italian Deli, a very old computer, and learning to stop over planning.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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A stolen summer day: wandering

Mass MoCA Tony  Iadicicco.jpg

One of the stolen day destinations mentioned. / photo: Tony Iadicicco

Summer comes and goes so quickly upstate. And there's that constant tension between accomplishing all of the everyday tasks that are necessary to complete in our daily lives and diving into summer's pleasures.

During winter we get the occasional surprise snow day in which to curl up with a good book and a hot chocolate, or make a snowman. So what about summer?

We asked a handful of people what they would do with a stolen summer day...

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"Look, I've been president for eight years. I'm ready for some entertainment."

UAlbany alum Dion Flynn was back playing Barack Obama in a sketch with Jimmy Fallon this week. The Tonight Show skit was a phone call between Obama and Donald Trump, as played by Fallon, in which the President offers Trump debate advice. (The clip is embedded above.)

Flynn and Fallon first met in Albany in the mid-90s on the set of the short-lived TV show Metroland's Loose Camera. Flynn began playing Obama in Fallon's skits a few years back when Fallon was the host of Late Night.

Dion Flynn still comes back to the Capital Region to teach improv classes at MopCo. And later this month -- August 30 -- he'll be at Proctors for a production of his autobiographical one-man show The Only Brown Kid In The Trailer Park. Tickets are $15 and $25.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: things that are possibly OK, Black Mountain, summer moments, Color Vibe, a 15k, Dudley Observatory, rolling to ramen, hamachi collar, cheesecake, sandwich nominations, and a fossilized frankfurter.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Track season, Tanpopo, Chester's, Siro's, sushi cake, birthday cake, the ValleyCats, the uptown campus, Thacher Park, moths, Washington Park, a secret beach, FDR, disturbing mini hot dogs, and Neanderthals.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: kids and the future, Athens, the emergency vet, Nipper, North Creek, cycling around an island, hiking, mood lifting, apples, how the bread is made, near restaurants, cooking competitions, the Savory Delicatessen, uncertain closing time, ice cream announcements, and a wig where it probably shouldn't have been.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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Follow forward: The Wine Bar and Bistro on Lark

Wine Bar and Bistro Exterior.jpg

Soon to be under new ownership.

AOA is taking things a little easy this week for summer break. So we thought it'd be a good time to catch up with some local businesses we've covered during the last year (or so) and find out how things are going. But our last post of the week flips things a bit -- we're looking to the future of a local business that's changing hands.

Nine years ago, chef Kevin Everleth opened The Wine Bar and Bistro on Lark and turned a small wine and tapas bar into a popular neighborhood jewel. The food was always delicious, the staff was always welcoming, and the wine selection was always varied and interesting.

But Everleth is fond of saying about restaurants, "I buy them, I build them, and I sell them." And so, after nine years, he says it's time for him to move on. This week Everleth announced that he is selling The Wine Bar to one of his employees, Silvia Lilly, who currently works at the restaurant a few nights a week. (Lilly is a school librarian by day. And, of course, she lives in Albany's Delaware Ave neighborhood.)

Lilly has never owned a restaurant, but she's been working in Capital Region restaurants for more than 20 years and she's passionate about the business. And she's excited about carrying on the business Everleth founded.

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Follow up: Brew

Brew - Josh and August.jpg

AOA is taking things a little easy this week for summer break. So we thought it'd be a good time to catch up with some local businesses we've covered during the last year (or so) and find out how things are going.

Next up: a look at Brew. Almost exactly one year ago Joshua Cotrona, who owned the Fuzz Records shop at the corner of State and Lark in Albany partnered with August Rosa to turn the space into Brew, a beverage shop featuring craft beer and specialty coffees.

A year ago Rosa told us why they were opening a craft beverage shop on Lark Street:

The idea came up when we realized the need for a craft beer outlet in the Center Square neighborhood. We decided to expand the offerings to include coffee, teas, and other beverages down the road. Our shop will help residents in downtown Albany skip a trip out to the suburbs for these items.

A year later, they're still there educating customers about craft brews, hosting tastings, and balancing their dreams with the wants and needs of a constantly changing neighborhood.

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Follow up: Fort Orange General Store

Fort Orange General Store 2015 Katy Smith and Caroline Corrigan

Katy Smith (left) and Caroline Corrigan

By Lauren Hittinger

AOA is taking things a little easy this week for summer break. So we thought it'd be a good time to catch up with some local businesses we've covered during the last year (or so) and find out how things are going.

Today we're checking back with Fort Orange General Store (FOGS), a small lifestyle shop that opened on Delaware Ave in Albany last May. FOGS is owned and operated by friends Caroline Corrigan and Katy Smith, who remain committed to sourcing wares from working artists, and who care a lot about their local community.

When we first visited with FOGS, Corrigan told us:

"People will come to Fort Orange because we aren't a big box store! We offer items are that are a little different and special. It's a great place to buy a thoughtful gift. If you care about where your products are coming from, and about investing in local business, this is a great place for you."

After about 14 months in business, Corrigan and Smith have a lot to say about paying attention to customers, sorting through potential products to carry, and what happens when people ask who's the owner.

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Follow up: Collar City Hard Pressed

collar city hard pressed 2015 jessica

By Lauren Hittinger

AOA is taking things a little easy this week for summer break. So we thought it'd be a good time to catch up with some local businesses we've covered during the last year (or so) and find out how things are going.

Next we're revisiting Collar City Hard Pressed (CCHP). When we first interviewed owner Jessica Garrity, now Jessica Quijano, she was running her business solely at the Saturday Troy farmers' market. Since then, she has moved to working full-time for her juice and smoothie business, taking up residence on Broadway in downtown Troy.

A snippet from March 2014:

"I found myself basically obsessed with fresh juice and smoothies and was suddenly annoyed that there wasn't a place in my neighborhood where I could get any. I kind of hate leaving my neighborhood on the weekend so just thought it was only fair that we had a juice place here downtown. I also recognized that juicing was a pretty trendy business and thought downtown Troy would be a great place to get to work."

I caught up with Quijano to see what it's like to be running a small business on her own, and to get the scoop on the different reactions to a juice bar in downtown Troy.

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Follow up: Bread and Honey

bread and honey 2015 July exterior

Bread and Honey is in the commercial strip on Madison Ave between Quail and Ontario.

AOA is taking things a little easy this week for summer break. So we thought it'd be a good time to catch up with some local businesses we've covered during the last year (or so) and find out how things are going.

First up is Bread and Honey in Albany's Pine Hills neighborhood. Owner Naomi Davies opened the artisan bakery in March of 2014 after a major renovation of the storefront at 809 Madison Ave. She has a background in construction management (and dance before that), and consulting on the new Honest Weight location had sparked the idea of opening a bakery.

A quick clip from 15 months ago:

"I learned so much about retail and food, just being with people who really cared about what they did and how they did it," she said recently as we stood in the bakery space. "And getting to know how they work, I saw an opportunity for a bakery here in Albany that could provide good, fresh, artisan breads. And I was craving a great bagel."

We got a chance to catch up with her last week -- and it was some real talk about what's it like to run a small, local business.

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New books from local authors

bell weather dennis mahoney

Dennis Mahoney's Bell Weather is out this week.

A handful of new books from Capital Region authors have floated by recently, so let's have a quick scan, shall we...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Adirondacks for beginners, the Fulton Chain, Kaaterskill Falls, Seneca Lake, a small Vermont town, an inspiration, wholehearted living, fragmentation, printing, the Sonic frenzy, closing a restaurant, Chester's, vegan options, and Budapest.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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Capital Cobblestone Project

old albany street map clipA local author/historian is researching the backstory on the names of Albany's streets. All of them.

Erik Schlimmer, who's also a UAlbany grad student, has previously worked on place-name history books of the Adirondacks. He's aiming for the Capital Cobblestone Project to also become a book.

Schlimmer is posting updates and historical bits on a Facebook page for the project. Here's a sample:

Many streets in Albany, especially those downtown, do not retain their original names. Eagle Street is named for our national bird, a symbol of freedom and patriotism. It used to be called Duke Street after the Duke of Albany of the British royal family. Out with the British and in with the Americans.

Given all the histories of Albany, it's kind of surprising this hasn't been done before. It's total history nerd candy.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: patriotism, the media, art, crypto currency, a relay, Buck Mountain, the Ice Meadows, Venus and Jupiter, a culinary tour, disappointing mac 'n cheese, banh mi bread, serviceberries, and adulting.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: BusPlus, horses, mountains, the thick of the woods, pollinators, Ivanhoe Bland, a donut burger, a hidden gem, yucca and chicharron, everything at Muza, six with the works, low expectations, tables for one, a clock, and Copenhagen.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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The goal: For everyone in the Capital Region to make a video game

TVGS interactive showcase

A TVGS interactive showcase earlier this year. / photo courtesy of Jamey Stevenson.

The recently-launched Tech Valley Game Space in Troy has a goal: For everyone in the Capital Region to make at least one game.

Like, every everyone? Yep, everyone.

"It doesn't take long [to learn] if people feel like they're in an atmosphere where there's someone who knows to guide them," TVGS founder Jamey Stevenson told us recently. "There are few things more fun or exciting to me to see people get surprised. It happens during the first hour of doing it."

Toward that goal, TVGS -- which also serves as co-working space for small startup games studios -- is offering a series of classes and events aimed at getting a wide range of people involved: artists, designers, programmers, women, men, kids, introverts, extroverts. One of the events is coming up this weekend at the Arts Center of the Capital Region: River Jam, a free learn-to-make-a-game event for game makers who identify as women.

Stevenson is clearly passionate both about video games, and opening up the process of making them.

Here are a few clips from a conversation with him about learning to make games, the need for diversity in the industry, games as art, and his favorite games...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: livestock, advocating for yourself, Frontier Town, waterfalls, dogs on restaurant patios, working out, slow living, garnishes, annoyances, ramen, oysters, soccer, and clairvoyant medicine.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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The Mercer Street Project

Mercer Street Project screengrab

A screengrab from the Mercer Street Project tumblr.

Like so many people, Kaira Kristbergs was faced with the question of what to do with a houseful of stuff after her grandmother, Anna Rande, passed away in 2012, leaving behind one of those classic Albany two-family houses on Mercer Street in Pine Hills.

Her grandparents, Latvian refugees, had arrived in Albany in the 1950s. They got jobs at places like Tobin's and Freihofer's and found their way as immigrants. Kaira's mom grew up in the house, as did Kaira.

By the time of her grandmother's passing, the house was full of stuff collected not just by her grandparents, but also items Kaira's parents had accumulated from around the world while working in the international shipping business. All sorts of stuff: furniture, toys, family memorabilia, mason jars, so many picture frames, and on and on.

So Kaira, an illustrator, turned the situation into The Mercer Street Project -- a sort of online documentary of her family's life, one object at a time, folded into an ongoing estate sale.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the little things, Mountain Jam, forgiveness, embracing change, owning your mistakes, Cherry Plain, the North Woods, fungi, The Fried Chicken Sandwich from God, The Killer Ketchup Burger, froyo, paella, unusual foods, sharing the share, and awe.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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Grilling with Kate

TWC/Charter/Not-Comcast News really just needs to give Kate Welshofer her own show.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Albany to Chicago, returning here, the Freihofer's Run for Women, Karner Blue paradise, Pharaoh Mountain, Schodack Island, Lake George, four good people, a foraged dinner, the restaurant industry, like a moth, beer, burgers, a bright smudge, photos, and China.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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UAlbany's Lyle Thompson wins college lacrosse's top trophy. Again.

ualbany lyle thompson Tewaaraton trophy 2015

UAlbany lacrosse star Lyle Thompson won the Tewaaraton Trophy Thursday night for the second year in a row. (The trophy is like the Heisman for college lacrosse.) He's the first men's player ever back-to-back winner of the award.

Thompson was the co-winner of the award last year with his brother, Miles. They were the first co-winners of the award. And they were the first Native Americans to win the trophy -- which is especially signifiant because lacrosse originated as a sport played by Native Americans. (Tewaaraton is the Mohawk name for lacrosse.) The Thompsons are from the Onondaga Nation just south of Syracuse.

Lyle Thompson finished his UAlbany career as one of the sport's all-time greats. He holds the career record for career points with 400 -- almost 50 more than person in the #2 spot. (He's #8 in points per game all time.) He's the all-time assists leader with 225 (#9 all time in assists per game). And he holds the top two spots on the all-time list for points in a season (and the #5 spot).

Thompson has already started a pro lacrosse career, and he's signed an endorsement deal with Nike.

photo: UAlbany Athletics

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: "upstate," tapping that, the 1920 waterfront, floral finds, running in the Berkshires, Portland, rhubarb, sipping and strolling, extraordinary brunch, raw bar, ordering wrong, chain restaurants, and photography.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: ideas for summer, New York's Mount Rushmore, Noonmark Mountain, the upper Hudson, waterfalls and bison, a farmer's perspective, Ramp Fest, restaurant snippets, Creo, Wine Bar, Slidin' Dirty, unusual beans, men of New York, Washington Park lake, and keeping your pants on.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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A big check for Flower Scout

startup grant 2015 flower scout big check

From left to right: Dan Ciampino of Staff Ciampino, Jon Dion from the College of Saint Rose, Colie Collen of Flower Scout, Justin Priddle from Berkshire Bank, Mary Darcy from AOA, and Sue Conroy from the College of Saint Rose.

The giant check is always fun.

The winner of this year's AOA Startup Grant -- Colie Collen from Flower Scout -- was awarded the giant $1,500 prize check today at the Huether School of Business at the College of Saint Rose. (She's also getting a smaller check that she can actually deposit.)

This year's prize money was provided by Berkshire Bank, and the contest was sponsored by Staff Ciampino & Company P.C., Certified Public Accountants and the College of Saint Rose.

Flower Scout will be using the prize money for a hoop house on its farm lot in Troy, which will allow it to extend the growing season for flowers to supply its floral services. Which are in demand! Colie was preparing for a wedding later this weekend before stopping over at Saint Rose.

And Flower Scout also got a bonus prize today: Dan Ciampino of Staff Ciampino offered Colie a year of free consulting and accounting services! That's in addition to the business planning class that the Community Loan Fund also has offered.

Speaking of bonus prizes, many thanks again to the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce for offering the Dutch Udder, one of this year's runners-up, free enrollment in Janet Tanguay's Entrepreneur Boot Camp. And thank you to Outspoken Media for offering Kristine Lambracht $1,500 in in-kind services to help Jerzey's Dog Resort, another runner up, to refine its online branding and messaging.

Thank you to everyone who helped out with this year's contest, including Jon Dion of Huether School for coaching, and our judges Lissa D'Aquanni from the Community Loan Fund, Rhea Drysdale from Outspoken Media, and Duncan Crary from Duncan Crary Communications.

And thank you again to our sponsors, Staff Ciampino & Company P.C., the College of Saint Rose, and Berkshire Bank.

startup contest 2014 sponsor ad staff ciampino

Startup2015 Berkshire Bank in-post ad

startup grant 2015 saint rose in-post ad

Tech Valley Civic App Challenge winners

tech valley app challenge winner screenshots

Screenshots from the entries that took that top 3 spots in the contest.

Announced today: The winners of the AT&T Tech Valley Civic App Challenge, which this past March called for entries with "potential to benefit the local community." The contest included $18,000 in prize money.

The grand prize winner: Food Pantry Helper, which was created by Russell Kirkwood of Stillwater, and aims to help food pantries manage their operations more efficiently.

Here's a bit more about that app, along with the other winners...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Tulip Fest, fire towers, wildflowers, a Jumbuck theft, a bike trailer, donut sliders, lambs on the farm, 15 Church, Albany's Supreme Court justice, and mom.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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Who hasn't been inspired by the "Let's Have a Party, Albany" video?

drawing up central 2015 winner

You know that Washington Park Moses is going to keep it festive and chill. / photo courtesy of Central Avenue BID

Here's the winning entry from the Drawing Up Central sidewalk art contest this past Saturday in Albany.

The winning entry, a play on Albany's coat of arms, was created by Sam Wickstrom, who told the Central Ave BID her panel was also inspired by the "Let's Have A Party, Albany" music video from 1986. Heh.

Here are more photos from the contest.

AOA was a media sponsor of Drawing Up Central.

Rutabaga the Adventure Chef

rutabaga comic composite with author

By Lauren Hittinger

When you think of adventures in mysterious lands with dragons, kings, and barbarians, you probably don't think of chefs.

But that's exactly how local artist and graphic novelist Eric Colossal imagined Rutabaga, the main character in his recently released comic Rutabaga, the Adventure Chef. This tenacious and scrappy chef seems to always cook his way out of the troubles he invariably finds himself in.

I chatted with Eric Colossal about the story behind Rutabaga, and his experiences becoming a full-time artist working on published books.

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The situation is rather invovled

Albany Knickerbocker News 1951 Judy Davenport tulip queenThat post earlier today about what it was like to be one of the first Tulip Queens -- if you haven't read it, you totally should, it includes some fun stories -- briefly references the experience of another early Tulip Queen, Judy Davenport. Here's a clip from that 1951 Knickerbocker News article, because you might get a smile out of it:

Since her coronation May 10, Judy Davenport, Albany's tulip queen, has had six offers of jobs and 12 proposals of marriage.
The marriage proposals arrived when Judy picked up her telephone and found 12 young men on the other end. They all wanted to marry the tulip queen.
The young men suggested they come down to the YWCA, where Judy lives, and propose in person. Then Judy could pick the one whose proposal she liked best and the wedding would be the "highlight" of the Tulip Festival.
The brown-haired, blue-eyed tulip queen declined the collective proposal. She said in this interview that she is not engaged or planning to be immediately -- because, right now, she can't seem to narrow the field down to one.
"Just say my romantic situation is rather involved," she instructed, adding that she preferred tall men (Judy is 5 feet, 8) with "character."

We can only imagine how Miss Davenport turned away those suitors.

It's all rather involved, boys.

Knickerbocker News clip via Fulton History

What it was like to reign as one of Albany's first Tulip Queens

Tulip Queen - 1956 1.jpg

Nadia Spiak, Albany's 8th Tulip Queen, in 1956.

Nadia Rymanowski's friends still refer to her as T.Q., though her reign as Tulip Queen ended more than 50 years ago.

Albany's 8th Tulip Queen was 20 years old when she was crowned in May of 1956. Back then she was Nadia Spiak from Troy -- she was allowed to compete for Albany Tulip Queen because she was studying at Albany Business College. (Her father had entered her in the competition without her knowledge.) Spiak was one of more than 500 young women who competed for the crown that spring, and she still maintains that she was more surprised than anyone when she won.

"We all had our ideas about who it would be," Spiak-Rymanowski says, "I was speechless."

So what was it like to be the eighth Tulip Queen of Albany?

"Exciting," says Spiak-Rymanowski, who today lives in Loudonville with her husband and works as a professional painter.

The ceremony and the position, she says, were very different back then.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the creative process, the Church of the Holy Innocents, an architecture stroll, paying attention to pay, spring, Fork in the Road, CIA, 15 Church, burgers, bacon, the ill-fated Ville du Havre, and suckas.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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Hold on, hold on, Sean Rowe

Something to listen to today: Sean Rowe performing a cover of Neko Case's "Hold On, Hold On." It's from a new EP he released this week -- Her Songs -- that's all covers of songs by women. You can listen to the whole thing on YouTube.

The Troy singer/songwriter is set for a show at Helsinki Hudson this Friday. Tickets are $20.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: waterfalls, signs of spring, Hang Glider Cliff, the Finger Lakes, soft serve, pizza, Sunday supper, a Maine event, an Italian dinner, a breakfast sandwich, an old menu, an 80s flashback, and a famed supplier of pancakes.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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A few details about Troy Kitchen

Troy Kitchen 50 4th Street Troy interior pre-renovation

The interior of the former bank building at 50 4th Street in Troy. / photo courtesy of Cory Nelson

There was a bit of a flutter in local food circles earlier this week when word about Troy Kitchen popped up on Facebook. The project is billed as a gourmet food court for downtown Troy.

So we got in touch with Cory Nelson, one of the entrepreneurs behind the project, for some details...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the tests, Sufjan space at home, the Catskills, spring, tangled, the King of Washington Park, the Tour de Soft Serve, cheese and beer, brunch on the patio, Next Door Kitchen, pastry, Vermont, and quite the place.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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The 2015 AOA Startup Grant final

startup grant 2015 finalists composite

Left to right: Kristine Lambracht from Jerzey's Dog Resort, Colie Collen from Flower Scout, Kehmally Karl and Jeff McCauley from The Dutch Udder Artisanal Ice Cream.

The field for this year's AOA Startup Grant was deep.

Many of the entries would have been worthy finalists, but there could only be three. And each of the finalists would have been a worthy winner, but there could only one.

Monday evening at the College of Saint Rose we found out which project took the prize.

startup contest 2014 sponsor ad staff ciampino

Startup2015 Berkshire Bank in-post ad

startup grant 2015 saint rose in-post ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: personal tech in the country, the beauty and the stubbornness of life, a camouflaged butterfly, a bat rack, buffet lunch, the place that had been that place, Memphis King, Turkish food, beer bars, bread baskets, building blocks, bowling lanes, and adventures abroad.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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A big group of A-holes

Man, can you believe all these a-holes?

This made us smile: Local designer Curtis Canham has created a book about A-holes.

The negative space in a letter A, of course. (Why? What were you thinking about?)

Canham is currently raising money on Kickstarter to publish the coffee table book. As of this morning, the campaign needs just about $2,500 with 11 days to go. He explains how the book came about in the quick video embedded above. (Pretty sure he was trying to see how many times he could say "a-hole" in that video.)

Here's a sample from the book, which covers the anatomy of a-holes, historic a-holes, and families of a-holes.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: education, meat, food allergies, Lord Kelvin, Catholicism, Millerton, Troy Night Out, staycationaurant, Nibble, TC Paris, The Hollow, 23-layer potato, from-NYC bagels, being charged for tap water, being out of cheese, and the return of the herons.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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"Gaslight"

Something to listen to this afternoon: "Gaslight" from Jocelyn Arndt and Chris Arndt and their band, recorded at White Lake Music & Post in Colonie for WEXT.

The siblings are originally from Fort Plain, and now attend Harvard -- here's an interview with them in the Harvard Crimson from this past February. They'll be back in the Capital Region for a string of upcoming dates -- the MOVE music festival in Albany April 25, Tulip Fest on May 9, The Hollow May 22, and they were just added to the Mountain Jam lineup for June 6.

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: bikes and buses, trolleys, 1/2 cent, Jumpin' Jack's, a day in the life of a pastry chef, Saratoga Winery, Alexis Diner, pizza, taverns, inspiration from Girl Scout Cookies, Albany to Brooklyn, the Cohoes Falls, and plastic treasure.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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Photos from AOA7

AOA7 party composite

We had a lot of fun celebrating AOA7 Wednesday evening. Thanks to the Takk House for being such great hosts, New World Catering for the tasty food, Yogibo Crossgates for setting up a sweet comfy lounge and DJ Trumastr for spinning the music.

And most all, thank you to everyone who celebrated with us, either in person or in spirit. We appreciate it. A lot.

Here are a bunch of photos from the party...

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the line, the game winner, flattery, American Express, half marathoning, frogs, winter, chit chat, salad, sushi, Route 7 Diner, Rock 'n Roll Brunch, Psychedelicatessen, popcorn, cheese sticks, critics, and Girl Scout Cookies.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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Audrey Munson, the model for The Spirit of Life

Spirit of Life (credit- Mike Hare}.jpg

The model behind The Spirit of Life had a fascinating and tragic life of her own

By Mike Hare

(This post includes photos that could be considered mildly NSFW.)

This year the city of Saratoga Springs is celebrating its centennial.

So is its most noted statue: The Spirit of Life in Congress Park.

The sculptor, Daniel Chester French, is well known. But French's model for the Spirit of Life -- Audrey Munson, and the tragic story of her rise and fall -- have nearly disappeared into history.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: gentrification, fat biking, local media, non-scientists and asshats, the old State Museum(s), the gravestone that wasn't thrown out, icicle injury, the library as goldmine, Tour de Soft Serve nominations, annoyed restaurant kitchens, sushi, coins, eight-legged wildlife, and a foggy walk.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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"The greatest of the Great Danes..."

Check it out: Peter Hooley, who hit the game-winning shot over the weekend to send UAlbany to the NCAA tournament, was on SportsCenter yesterday -- actually on the set with Steve Levy and John Buccigross. They talked about Hooley's mother, who died recently from cancer, growing up in Australia, and Albany.

UAlbany, a #13 #14 seed, takes on #4 #3 seed Oklahoma Friday at 7:30 in Columbus, Ohio. The game is truTV.

Over at the Washington Post: "Albany's Peter Hooley might just be the NCAA tournament's best story already."

AOA Startup Grant winner Puzzles Bakery & Cafe set to open this month

Puzzles exterior.jpg

Puzzles Bakery & Cafe is on State Street in downtown Schenectady.

One year after winning the AOA Startup Grant contest, Puzzles Bakery and Cafe is about to open.

In addition to serving sandwiches, salads and baked goods, Sara Mae Hickey's bakery and cafe has a mission: Puzzles is a for-profit business with a commitment to employing people with disabilities -- autism, especially.

The cafe was inspired by Sara Mae's experience with her autistic sister. She set out to create a business at which adults with developmental disabilities would have an opportunity for personal growth, a source of income, social interaction, and a sense of purpose.

The last year of renovating the building, creating the space, and preparing to open the business has been a long road with a few unexpected bumps -- including a burglary, and a front loader plowing into the back of the building. Three times.

What has the last year taught her?

"Well, I've learned that opening a business is one of the hardest things that a person can do. I know that about a year ago I thought we were able to open in a month or two -- and here we are almost a year later and we're finally ready to open our doors for real."

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: testing, old school beauty, missing flip flops, farm pizza, $2 sandwiches, wedding cakes, menus, the Noon Mark Diner, beefsteak, the Beer Belly, ice fishermen, and moments in the airport.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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Made in Troy: The Iris Lamp

Check it out: A Troy-based company called Lightexture is making these adjustable "iris" lamps that create a range of light patterns. The company is raising money on Kickstarter -- it's already raised $31k, more than double its goal -- with 18 days to go.

The video above shows the lamps in action. There are also a few photos after the jump.

The people behind Lightexture are artists/designers Yael Erel and Avner Ben Natan. You might recognize Erel's work from the "Subliminal Transcriptions" light exhibit at the Arts Center of the Capital Region a few years back.

Oh, and if you're thinking the lamps look like vegetable steamers, there's a reason -- a metal steamer was used as an early prototype.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

WRGB Answers Please 1981 screengrab

A screengrab from a 1981 episode of WRGB's Answers Please -- that's Chuck on the left end of the bottom row.

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Albany's problems and challenges, neighborhoods and community, failing schools, parking stupid, memories and media, shared experiences, lessons from relevant job experience, New York cider, supper club at Heather Ridge Farm, a beautiful dinner, chicken soup, Ushers Road State Forest, and tracks in the snow.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: downtown Schenectady, the need to talk, your other family, snowshoeing, fairy castles of cascading ice, gratitude for warmth, Marcus T. Reynolds, Saratoga Beer Week, Mac-N-Cheese Bowl, the new-again McGuire's, the food of the gods, jerk chicken, tacos, Schenectady Restaurant Week, and feeding the cats.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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Authenpic

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Nostalgia in app form: A team with local connections has created an app that recreates the experience of using a disposable camera. You can use Authenpic to take a "roll" of 24 photos that you can't see until they're delivered on actual prints after the roll's finished -- no reviewing, no editing, no filters.

The team behind the app includes Albany resident Mari Johannessen, her sister Linda Johannessen, and local designer/entrepreneur Jacques Bastien.

So, why build an app with these built-in limitations?

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It's a circus in Troy

FAQ Circus Frear Atrium performer Nicky Faubert photo Doug Liebig

Nicky Faubert performing during the FAQ preview in the Frear Atrium earlier this month. / photo: Doug Liebig

By Lauren Hittinger

It's not every day that you get to meet and interview a professionally trained clown.

Set aside your preconceived notions, because Aaron Marquise isn't just some guy in bright pants and a painted face. He's about to graduate from the National Circus School in Montreal with a diploma in clowning.

Originally from Round Lake, Marquise is back in town this week to produce a series of shows at the Gasholder Building in Troy alongside the FAQ Circus collective. And he's got his sights set on continuing to expand circus in the Capital Region.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Albany's assets, prominent architects, snowshoeing to the summit, winter light, an old-school winter, Peck's Arcade, making pizza at DeFazio's, dinerness, Korean BBQ, drinking chocolate, a birthday dinner, restaurant stories, dreams of scapes, dealing with -7, and learning to let.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Columbia County, towering pines, snowshoeing, gratitude, the full width, snow day frustration, tavern pizza, regrettable behavior, Valentine's Day, lamb, burgers, delivery pizza, nature photos, toile, and 10 years.

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When did dogs become dogs?

Interesting: Domesticated dogs emerged from wolves about 15,000 years ago, according to recently-published research from a team that includes Skidmore biologist Abby Grace Drake. The estimation is based on very precise 3-D measurements of fossil skulls that can detect very subtle differences between dogs and wolves, and it pushes against other estimates, based on DNA analysis, that had pegged the switchover as far back as 30,000 years. [Skidmore] [Scientific Reports] [Daily Gazette]

So, 15,000 years or 30,000 years... so what? Because the two dates mark a difference in where humans were at in their own development. As Drake explained to CBS News:

"Whether dogs were domesticated in the Paleolithic or the Neolithic creates two different scenarios for how domestication may have taken place," she explained. "In the Paleolithic humans were hunter-gatherers. In the Neolithic is when we started to build permanent settlements that would have required 'dumps.' These piles of food and human waste would have attracted scavengers. Some scientists propose that wolves that scavenged at these dumps would have access to valuable food and those that could tolerate the presence of humans would be more successful."

Drake's research looks at how evolution changes the physical structure and behavior of species. Her Skidmore page includes some cool photos of skulls from different dog breeds, highlighting the huge differences that breeding has introduced over the last few centuries.

That clip embedded above is a Drake video -- it shows a wolf skull morphing into a French bulldog skull.

Stephen & Harriet Myers, station agents for Albany's portion of the Underground Railroad

Myers house and Stephen Myers.jpg

Abolitionist Stephen Myers and the Albany residence where some of his story played out.

Each Friday this February we'll be highlighting people and stories from the Capital Region in honor of Black History Month.

We live in a part of the country where history is part of the landscape. We pass historic markers on trips to the grocery store, and monuments on visits to the bank. Historic figures live on in the names of streets and cities and public buildings --- even if many no longer remember who they were, or what they did to earn the honor.

Take, for example, Stephen and Harriet Myers.

Chances are that you've driven past their former home on Livingston Avenue or the Albany middle school that bears their names, maybe without giving them a thought.

But this Capital Region couple has a remarkable, important story: The Myers played a key role in the history of the Underground Railroad in this area, helping hundreds -- possibly thousands -- of escaped slaves.

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It's cold and snowy... so, what's cooking?

winter cooking 2015 composite

By Deanna Fox

The doldrums of winter have settled in. I've got cabin fever, and these long, freezing days are starting to wear on me.

Winter is great in that I can snuggle in front of the fire in fleece-lined leggings, ugly (but cozy) sweaters, and put whiskey in my tea with reckless abandon.

But the best way to beat winter is from the inside out. I've been wondering what other cooks in the area have been eating to get through the winter. So I asked! Here's what winter tastes like a handful of kitchens around the Capital Region.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: criticism, Chowderfest, beer and food, influences and inspirations, a deep-fried burger, tea and chocolate, pickled eggs, the odd duck of grief, sharing experiences, honest snowstorm forecasts, followed tracks, ironic placement, knitting, and red.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: on who is Albany, the state of our state, fire vs. ice, a blood-red path through the snow, a snowy hike, the King's Highway Barren, Lake Placid, shopping for art, quality ingredients, Crimson Sparrow, U Mundu E Ca, late night food, crimes and punishment, and old railways.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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New dean for Albany Law

Albany Law Alicia OuelletteAlbany Law School announced Thursday that Alicia Ouellette is its new dean and will become its next president in July. Ouellette has been the school's interim dean since last fall.

The past handful of years have been challenging for law schools across the country as the job market for attorneys has shrunk and in turn enrollments dropped, forcing schools to adapt. Albany Law has been no exception to this trend. The school offered buyouts last year as part of a tense situation between the administration and some faculty. [ABA] [Biz Review] [Above the Law]

More recently, Albany Law had been in talks with UAlbany about some sort of partnership. [Biz Review]

Ouellette replaces Penny Andrews, who had headed up the school since 2012. Andrews announced last year that she'd be steeping down as president and dean at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

Ouellete -- who's name is pronounced "wull-ett" -- is an Albany Law School alum (class of 1994) and her academic focus has been the field of bioethics.

Albany Law has advertised on AOA in the past.

photo via Albany Law School

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: cars changing people, turning toward joy, choosing to react badly, compromising, a checkered storyline, $1 oysters, Peck's Arcade, The Shop, pasta at a Thai place, 500 words, Treviso, searching for challah, making applejack, gluten-free food, Cohoes Falls, and the blues..

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: it'll be OK, Capital District police, parking in downtown Troy, yoga, roller skating flashbacks, the State Library, a cozy destination, Wine & Dine for the Arts, restaurant bargains, a soup flight, epic snow, film, and the confidential destination.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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Talks from TEDxAlbany 2014

Check it out: Video of the talks from the recent TEDxAlbany day at Overit in Albany is now up. Here's the video playlist on YouTube.

The lineup this time around had 14 speakers, and included some really interesting/funny/thoughtful talks. One of our favorites was from Hello Pretty City's Laura Glazer -- it's about her voice, and Albany, and making your place, and finding other people. (It's embedded above.)

What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: la vita nuova, the Holt Preserve, winter hiking, a frozen lake, running through the frigid night, welcome to the gym, favorite bites, a beer float, tavern pizza, vegan food, a perfect moment, Old and Married New Year's Eve, eggs benedict, graceful beauty, a ring, and warm travels.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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A look inside Peck's Arcade

peck's arcade troy kitchen overhead

Peck's Arcade -- the new venture from Vic Christopher and Heather LaVine, the people behind The Confectionery and The Grocery -- is set to open Wednesday.

The casual fine dining restaurant is in the building at 217 Broadway in downtown Troy, which also houses the Grocery and connects with The Confectionery via a covered patio. The duo say the restaurant will focus on small plates and meticulous service in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. (The name comes from one of the building's former lives as a 19th century department store.)

"We want people to feel like they're well taken care of," LaVine told us Thursday as the restaurant team was finalizing things ahead of the opening.

Here's a quick look at the space Tuesday, along with a few more bits and a conversation with Christopher.

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Great shows from 2014

SLOC Caroline or Change The Moon Dashira Cortes

SLOC's production of Caroline or Change got multiple mentions.

With 2014 wrapping up, we thought it'd be fun to ask a bunch of people about some of their favorite/most interesting things from the past year.

Today we check in with a group of artists, performers and reviewers for their take on some of their favorite shows of 2014.

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Favorite local foods 2014

DeFazio's veggie pizza Tournament of Pizza final

Pizza that united family opinions.

With 2014 wrapping up, we thought it'd be fun to ask a bunch of people about some of their favorite/most interesting things from the past year.

First up: Favorite local things to eat or drink this year.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: making something nice happen, rebirth, finding a babysitter, OKCupid, hiking into the clouds, the paste fortune, quality and expectations, lost foods, brunch at Zest, head counts, a vegan hot dog, an entire head, talking ice cream, and Krampus.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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Springwood Studios

Springwood Studios composite

By Lauren Hittinger

Troy woodworker Jim Lewis has a spiritual and emotional connection to his work.

The self-taught craftsman has created furniture, liturgical pieces for churches around the United States, and sculptures over his four decade career. And he's continuing to evolve his work. Lewis recently re-introduced his 4th Street shop, Icarus Furniture, as Springwood Studios as part an effort to "go back to my roots and do things a little simpler and a little sweeter."

I chatted with Lewis about simplifying life and work, learning new skills, and doing the things you're supposed to be doing...

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Holiday gifts: Deanna Fox

Deanna Fox

Deanna didn't get the baby brother she asked for. But she did get a Baron.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today's thoughts on gifts and giving come from food writer, cooking instructor, AOA contributor and all around lovely person Deanna Fox.

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Holiday gifts: Daniel B.

Daniel B.jpg

Be careful what you wish for...

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today's thoughts on gifts and giving come from Daniel B., proprietor of FUSSYlittleBLOG, AOA contributor, and connoisseur of donuts.

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Holiday gifts: Erin Pihlaja

Erin Pihlaja photo credit- joe putrock.jpg

A Range Rover would be nice. Or socks.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Erin Pihlaja is the mother of two girls, a Troy resident, and the executive director of the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District.

She envies people who can make their own gifts, but knows herself well enough to not try to knit or bake cookies.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Capital Hills, snowy day photos, a music venue, surveying calamari, restaurant week, The Ugly Rooster, Hot Chocolate Run, cookies and booze, cupcakes, the Myers Store, the fancy people drink, the legend of Jamario Moon, and pre-emptive record straightening.

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Holiday gifts: Lauren Hittinger Hodgson

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Lauren's answer about her favorite gift from when she was a kid includes a photo and some powerful cuteness.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up in the series is Lauren Hittinger Hodgson, a local freelance writer and regular contributor to All Over Albany. She also maintains her own blog, The Thrifty Ginger.

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Holiday gifts: Sean Desiree

Gifts Sean Desiree has in mind this year: things made and used.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up: Sean Desiree shares her holiday gifts and causes.

Sean is a self-taught furniture maker who uses reclaimed wood at her business, South End Pallet Works. She's also a performer under the name bell's roar.

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Holiday gifts: Ethan Ullman

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Ethan wants to put a little ho,ho,ho in the holidays.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up: standup comedian and host of Storytime Time, Ethan Ullman.

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Holiday gifts: Rachel Person

Rachel Person

Hard working outreach coordinator seeks respite from responsibility

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today's gift giver is Rachel Person.

Rachel is the events and community outreach Coordinator at Northshire Books in Saratoga. Rachel is an Albany High Alum who spent six years working at Symphony Space in New York City as the Associate Director of the NPR program Selected Shorts: A Celebration of the Short Story. Today she's the Events and Community Outreach Coordinator at Northshire Books in Saratoga.

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Holiday gifts: Brandon Jones

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How do you gift wrap time?

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Brandon Jones is a musical theater teacher and performer from Albany. He's performed locally and in New York City and is currently the music director for Schenectady Light Opera's production of Shrek: The Musical.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: The Neighborhood That Disappeared, the Dead Frog Circus, things Albany to go, Stewart's signage, Tavern Noodle, sliders, crawfish, Burger 21, sushi, dim sum, pizza subconscious, creative photography, tracks, warding off snow, and the proverbial chill pill.

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Holiday gifts: Katie O'Malley Maloney

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Christmas 1989 was a banner year for young Katie O.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today, we've asked Katie O'Malley Maloney to talk about her favorite gifts. Katie is the woman behind Katie O' Weddings & Events, an event planning and coordination firm in Troy.

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RPI's Shirley Ann Jackson tops rankings of nation's highest-paid private college presidents

shirley jackson croppedRPI president Shirley Ann Jackson topped the list of the nation's highest paid private college president in 2012, according to an analysis by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Jackson's total compensation -- $7.1 million -- was more than 3.38 million higher than that of the second president on the list.

Jackson's base pay for 2012 was $945k. The bulk of her compensation came in the form of a deferred compensation payout worth $5.9 million. (One reason why her compensation in 2012 was much higher than the somewhat-over-$1 million range it had been in recent years.)

The Chronicle's website has a detailed breakdown of the numbers for each president. In Jackson's case, her total compensation also ranked third in the nation when calculated as compensation per institution total expenditures. And it ranked in the 99th percentile nationally for base pay to faculty salary ratio.

The Chronicle collected the info from the RPI's Form 990 filing, which all non-profits must file. You can look it up for free over at Guidestar. (The compensation figures are from page 14.)

To go along with the top spot in the compensation ranking, the Chronicle also added a long article looking at Jackson's tenure at RPI. It notes Jackson will likely be remembered as "a trailblazing president, whose unparalleled vision and determination transformed a respectable regional private college into a nationally recognized research institution" -- but it also includes extensive criticism of her, describing "tales of an imperial air and cowed staff." Here's a clip:

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Santa Speedo Sprint 2014 photos

albany santa speedo sprint 2014

Saturday's weather was miserable -- cold, rainy, the kind of day when snow might have actually been more welcome.

But there were still plenty of smiles and laughing and cheering at the Santa Speedo Sprint on Lark Street. It was the 9th year for the event organized by by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy as fundraiser for the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at the Albany Medical Center. This year's sprint raised $7,000.

It was great to see so many people out there again, having fun and raising money.

Here are a bunch of photos from this year's sprint...

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Holiday gifts: Elizabeth Zunon

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Artist Elizabeth Zunon

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next in the series, Elizabeth Zunon. Elizabeth grew up in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa, where the bright, colored patterns of everyday fabrics and tropical vegetation left a lasting impact. Today she lives in Albany, where she illustrates children's picture books, including The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and the upcoming One Plastic Bag.

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The snowflake photographer: Holly Greene

Rare mix of Stellar Dendrite and Sectored Plates.jpg

"We always look for big, giant, flashy things to make us happy, and sometimes it's the small things -- the tiniest beauty."

Holly Greene was having a rough day.

She had been out grocery shopping and was lugging her packages home, trudging back and forth from the car to the house. In the snow. She was tired and frustrated. Then something happened that changed not only her day, but her art, and, a little bit, her world view.

Holly caught a glimpse of a snowflake that had landed on her jacket. A tiny, perfect snowflake.

"It was just so perfectly formed," she says, "that it stopped me in my tracks."

The Saratoga Springs-based photographer grabbed her camera and focused in on it the best she could. The result was the first of many photos for the artist and wedding photographer who now bills herself as The Snowflake Photographer.

Holly tore herself away from last week's November snowstorm to talk about the art, science, and philosophy of the snowflake.

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Holiday gifts: Sean Rowe

sean rowe grafitti background

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up: Capital Region-based musician and naturalist Sean Rowe.

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Four ideas for changing things for the better in marginalized communities

Wednesday evening at The Spectrum there's a screening of The Throwaways, a documentary created by local activist Ira McKinley and local filmmaker Bhawin Suchak. The duo co-produced and co-directed the film, which is about how people in many inner city communities, especially African-American men, have become marginalized by race, the criminal justice system, and economics -- and the challenges and frustrations that result. As Suchak described it to us, the film is a "raw and real" look at the topic through the eyes of McKinley.

The film comes along when these issues are getting a lot of national attention because of what's happening in Ferguson, Missouri.

"I think we're at a really important moment in this country's history when it comes to relationships between folks from different races," Suchak told us this week. "I think it's important for white people to not be defensive and to listen, and also do their own work. For me, part of what that means is trying to connect and make the connections that people who are living this are making all the time because they have to because it's survival. So I hope, and I think we've seen in our screenings, that our film can be a way to begin conversation."

With those sorts of conversations in mind, we asked McKinley and Suchak for suggestions about how to change things for the better in marginalized communities in our area.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Thanksgiving, turkey trotting, Christmas trees, a day on the job, opened/closed, Korean BBQ, disappointing meals, burgers, pastries, the Pine Bush, snow shoveling, the steam plant, and friendship.

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Still Life with Dogs

dylan boyce still life with dogs

We've been enjoying the dog photos posted on Instagram by local dog trainer Dylan Boyce -- they capture these great moments of joy and excitement as dogs romp around local dog parks. So we were happy to see this week that Boyce, a trainer and dog park playgroup leader for Hounds on the Hudson, is publishing a book of the photos.

Still Life with Dogs is an 8x8 soft bound saddle stitch book with 33 photos. And it's available for pre-order via an Indiegogo campaign for $20. They'll also be available at the Hounds on the Hudson storefront at 472 Madison Ave in Albany starting Monday, December 8.

Boyce says the campaign to raise money for the initial printing has gone well enough that he'll be donating 10 percent of all sales to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.

Holiday gifts: Heather LaVine

Heather LaVine personal photo.jpg

At the intersection of wine, rescue pups and baseball, you'll find Heather LaVine

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up, Heather LaVine, the co-owner of Lucas Confectionery and The Grocery in Troy. LaVine and her husband, Vic Christopher, are restoring the 18th-century building that houses their current businesses, and are working on reopening The Tavern on Broadway.

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Holiday gifts: Lecco Morris

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Lecco is the one on the right

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

First up: Lecco Morris.

Lecco grew up in the Capital Region and, after several years in New York City and a year traveling Europe, is now one of the administrators of The Chefs' Consortium, which gets chefs involved with helping people learn about local food. He is also a talented jazz pianist, poet, and actor.

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Lark Street's Hot Dog Heaven closing

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After 20 years, Hot Dog Heaven on Lark Street closes on Sunday.

A piece of Lark Street history closes its doors for good on Sunday.

Hot Dog Heaven, the tiny Lark Street diner where Barbara Lamperella and her family have been making homemade soups, roasts, burgers and, of course, hot dogs for 20 years will flip its last burger on Sunday.

Lamperella says after two decades, it's just time to close.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: Thanksgiving, media criticism, a fire tower, Cooperstown, moss, the Saratoga restaurant market, lobster mac 'n cheese, brunch at The Low Beat, sausage, donuts, The Shop, Fort Orange General Store, apartment gawking, and yes, ma'am.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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New blog worth a look: Chefsday

chefsday screengrabOne of our favorite things to do is to ask about people about their jobs. Not just "What do you do?" -- but more "How do you do that?" and "Why do you that?" and "What do you think about doing that?" Almost everyone has some interesting answers to those questions.

So we've been really enjoying Chefsday, a blog started recently by Dominic Colose, the chef at the Wine Bar in Saratoga Springs. As he explains in an intro post, he hopes it to be "an outlet for some of the great stories, victories, frustrations, and thoughts that come out of life in the restaurant business."

Here's a clip from his take on restaurant week:

I believe the start of this thing was done with good intention, meant to bring new diners into restaurants, and for restaurants to showcase what they can do.
Well, somewhere along the way chefs got lazy, owners got cheap, and the target market got fed up. So now we have mostly sub-par menus, low quality food, and bargain hunters. It's time to do away with this thing.

And a clip from a different post about the changing preferences of local diners:

It's almost embarrassing gloating about my ability to sell offal on a grand scale, I mean in an area with more savvy diners they'd laugh at me being proud of my eclectic offerings. In the Capital District however we need to celebrate getting sweetbreads on a menu without the "what the hell is that" reaction. We need to keep encouraging folks to leave their comfort zones and try some new shit. Go have some irregular food this weekend.

Or his take on whether the Capital Region could support a Michelin star restaurant.

What Colose has posted so far is interesting and entertaining. Subscribed.

[via Daniel]

Roosevelt Grooming Company

roosevelt grooming adam cresko vintage straight razors

By Lauren Hittinger

Before we all ran through disposable razors every month, there was a different way of shaving -- with a straight razor. And as Adam Cresko sees it, something was lost when we made the switch.

So Cresko is helping bring back the art of the straight razor through Roosevelt Grooming Company, a business he started that refinishes vintage straight razors and sells a line of grooming products.

I talked with the Cohoes-based Cresko about shaving with a century-old razor, making things by hand in a world of disposable items, and the history and art of a daily ritual.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: sidewalks, the hardest year, the supermarket data industrial complex, Woodstock Animal Sanctuary, the best Danish, Schoharie County, Wolf Creek Falls, frostweed, fast food, Vegan Black Metal Chef, arancini, burgers, cheesecake, the lore of our grandmothers, an important chronicler, the Patroons, and doing your job.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: the path of life, getting into the mood, an uncommon thrill, the full pleasure of the thing, taste testing cupcakes, Yellow Rock Cafe, Cafe Lark, a Cuban sandwich, cider donut bread pudding, a scenic race, New Hampshire, late autumn, and a house.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: cider donuts and tastemakers, BUILT, Great Flats, bog walking, bouncing around, snowblower questing, Texas de Brazil, City Line, The Shop, Beverly's Eatery, Firehouse Subs, a bridal shower, styrofoam cups, lost cemeteries, and what we're capable of.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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"Why not get some booty with your civic duty?"

And now local anchorlady Kate Welshofer with some Election Day news you can use.

After the break: We lobby CapitalNews9/YNN/TWCN/PossiblySomedayComcast to give Kate's goofball alter ego* her own segment.

A look inside The Shop in Troy

The Shop bar

By Lauren Hittinger

This Friday marks the grand opening for The Shop, a new restaurant and bar in downtown Troy. It's the third commercial space to open at the former site of Trojan Hardware along 4th Street and Congress, following the May opening of Rare Form Brewing Co. and the Collar Works art gallery.

Looking to create a neighborhood bar, owner Kevin Blodgett says The Shop will have a "casual atmosphere, with no pretense. We just want people who are going to enjoy good food and good conversation."

I stopped by to talk to Blodgett and his partner Nada Rifai to get the scoop on the restaurant, the building, and how The Shop fits into Troy.

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What's up in the Neighborhood

The NeighborhoodAmong the topics in this most recent spin around the Capital Region's online neighborhood: being the village, a wine tour, Taconic Sculpture Park, an autumn trip to the beach, old school, the new Maestro's, smallcheapunique, beloved soup, Mexican Radio, Soul Cafe, the Squirrelly Six, 8-bit fire, and a particular philosophical pickle of living.

Broadway Plaza Liquor in-post ad

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Figuring Sh!t Out with Amy Biancolli

figuring shit out amy biancolli

Amy Biancolli is a self-described mom, ink-stained wretch, and survivor of suicides.

We would describe her as a gifted and thoughtful writer with an ability to find the joy, truth, and humor in living -- even in the aftermath of great personal tragedy.

Three years ago, Biancolli's husband, well-known Capital Region writer Chris Ringwald, took his own life. It was not Biancolli's first experience with suicide. Years earlier her sister, Lucy, killed herself, and her father survived his own suicide attempt.

Biancolli -- a former film critic for the Houston Chronicle and the current arts writer for the Times Union -- has turned that experience into a new memoir. Figuring Sh!t Out (and her blog of the same name) take a look at her first year without Chris, and the, well, stuff she had to figure out -- from who she is now without her husband of 20 years, to how to help her children, to how to work the lawn mower, to whether she should bother to shave her legs anymore. Tales of "crisis ziti", memos to George Clooney, surviving a monkey attack only to be bitten by a dog in Ecuador, and whether to search for a "Mr. Manly Pants" alternately prompt laughter and tears -- and sometimes do both at once.

Biancolli spent a few minutes with us this week, to share some thoughts on the bizarre ways humor and grief can overlap, why she decided to share such a deep personal tragedy, and the experience of being carried by her Albany community.

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The Scoop

For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

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My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.

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