Items tagged with 'troy'
The big picture in Troy
Just a few more touches...
We were walking through downtown Troy today and stopped for a few minutes to watch artist Kevin Clark put a few last touches on the new mural on the side of 50 Second Street (adjacent to the bank parking lot).
The work depicts the inside of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. The project apparently sparked some discussion about how public art projects should be reviewed in Troy. [Troy Record]
It was interesting to watch Clark this afternoon as he applied a few highlights to the huge painting. He'd move around on the motorized lift and apply a few brush strokes here and there.
You've probably seen his work before. He's painted a bunch of murals around the Capital Region -- including the one on the side of Brown's Brewing.
The Arts Center of the Capital Region is holding an "unveiling" of the mural August 31 at 5 pm (we hear there will also be confetti and gelato -- hard to go wrong there).
A bunch of other pics after the jump. Including a (stitched together) big pic of the mural.
Goose crossing
No, honk you!
Peter sent along this pic of cars stopped along Route 40 in Troy so a gaggle of geese could cross.
It makes us smile -- the way the geese look like they're just sauntering across the road. Like one of them is telling the drivers: "You honking at me? Let me tell you about honking." (Of course, we might have felt differently if we were actually there waiting for the gaggle to cross.)
Also, geese apparently don't think much of crosswalks.
(Thanks, Peter!)
Paper Sparrow sold
Kate Eggleston, the owner of the fab downtown Troy shop The Paper Sparrow, has announced on her blog that she's sold the store. Her last day will be this Friday, August 27.
Writes Kate in the post:
I'll miss my customers, my neighbors, and the new friends I've made since opening these doors two and a half years ago. Troy is an amazing place, one that I'd given up on years ago, but it has come a very long way. It's so nice to be a part of such a fantastic community with great people and a friendly, welcoming environment. I hope to always be a part of it.
She says the new owner will be keeping the shop open, with a new name and look.
Earlier on AOA:
+ The Paper Sparrow: light and sweet
Waffle Week at Brown's
This sounds fun (and potentially yummy): next week is "Waffle Week" at Brown's Brewing in Troy. From the press release:
For on August 24, 1869, one Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York was awarded the very first patent for the Waffle Iron. From that day forward, waffle enthusiasts the world over rejoiced, and the making of those fried battery delights would never be the same.
To commemorate this erroneously overlooked moment in history, Brown's Brewing Company is hosting its first ever "Waffle Week - A Glorious Celebration in Praise of The Waffle Iron." Beginning on Monday, August 23, Brown's will offer a different waffle each day - all made with one of Brown's Dependable Ales & Lagers. And to truly celebrate the occasion, Brown's is featuring a famous Waffler in history to represent the dish of the day.
The waffle-by-waffle schedule is after the jump. It includes a "a snappy Cajun Creole Waffle" and a "rich Oatmeal Stout Dark Chocolate Waffle."
Sadly, there's no offal falafel waffle...
The Epicurean to manage EMPAC cafe
News to us: the well-regarded French cafe The Epicurean has taken over management of Evelyn's Cafe at EMPAC (the restaurant mentioned this on their Facebook page a few weeks back). The arts center says the cafe will now be open even when there aren't performances.
The Epicurean already has a location on Route 7 in Rensselaer County. And it took over the former Vin Santo in Latham earlier this year.
Yep, EMPAC advertises on AOA.
Contemporary Artists Center at Woodside
The Contemporary Artists Center moved from North Adams to the former Woodside Church in Troy last winter. The CAC is renovating the church for use as an artist residency program for national, international, and local artists, along with exhibition space.
In July, the org won a $20,000 grant for the renovation from the Chase Community Giving program. And in May it won a $50,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh program.
Patrick Dodson and Timothy Maher are Machine Should Be.
Public preview at new Troy food co-op
The Pioneer Food Market co-op reports that it's nearing completion on construction and is aiming for a soft opening in late September.
If you want to check out how things are coming along at the new market in downtown Troy, there's a public preview Friday at 10 am, and then later on during Troy Night Out from 5-9 pm.
The co-op reports that 760 people have invested in the project -- and it's continuing to look for more loans from individuals.
Block by block, Washington Place is back together
The new/old street -- level again.
How do you rebuild a street? In the case of Troy's Washington Place, the answer is: one stone at a time.
The street -- which runs along the picturesque (and private) Washington Park in Troy -- is made up of Belgian block pavers (sort of like cobblestones, but square and a regular size), that were first laid during the 1800s. About 35,000 pavers. And reconstruction of the road required every one of the pavers to be removed and then re-installed -- by hand, like installing a giant patio.
When the street got to be in such bad shape that it was nearly impassable (undulating would have been a kind word), the Washington Park Association rallied support to preserve the pavers -- and the historic look of the streetscape. Now the association reports the job is finished. The official ribbon cutting will be August 3.
WPA reports that the job cost $200k, and a handful of organization contributed services -- including the City of Albany, which donated 8,000 pavers to replace blocks that had broken.
Here's a photoset covering the reconstruction project.
photo courtesy of TAP, Inc via Duncan Crary Communications
RPI's Jackson: "We try to be a good neighbor"
In a meeting with the Troy Record's editorial board, Shirley Ann Jackson addressed many of the ongoing story lines that involve RPI and the city: the relationship with city officials, the old Proctor's theater, the new president's house, the proposed public safety fee and the alert siren. From the article by Troy Record Jess:
Jackson was adamant that she didn't understand why city officials in Troy seem to direct so much ire toward RPI and her personally.
"We try to be a good neighbor," said Jackson. "We want to be helpful."
She believes the media's portrayal of her is unfair, and she said she would rather focus on the positive aspects of current town-gown relations.
Dr. Jackson has been the head of RPI for a decade. The RPI Board of Trustees recently "invited" her back for another 10 years.
She topped the pay chart for private college presidents in the 2007-2008 school year at almost $1.6 million, according to the Chronicle of Higher Ed (the school said last year she'd be donating five percent of her salary to a scholarship fund). A recent Bloomberg piece figured that she earned about $1.4 million serving on corporate boards last year.
Earlier on AOA:
+ Does Shirley Jackson have too many jobs?
+ Of loudspeakers and tweets
+ RPI building a new president's residence
+ RPI's Jackson tops compensation chart
Summer with Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian
Harry's a fan of Troy. And chocolate peanut-butter.
Sure, it's kind of a given that Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian likes life in the Capital Region.
He's a Mayor here, after all.
But he's also as a life-long Troy resident who really enjoys the Capital Region summers -- which qualifies him for our series on our summer stay-cations.
Also, we kinda felt like we know him from his tweets.
So we asked.
And Harry T. answered.
Trashion 2010 photos
Trashion + Fashion = Trashion
Mike has a posted a great photoset from this past weekend's Trashion show at the Atrium in Troy.
The hot looks this year? Compact discs, caution tape, magazines. And there was a lot of look in some of those looks.
Earlier on AOA: Trashion is back
photo: Mike Roach
River Street Festival sidewalk chalk 2010
Chalk it up!
One of our favorite summer events is the annual street chalking competition at the Troy River Street Festival. Unfortunately, we couldn't make it this year -- but Sebastien was there, and he's posted a photoset with a bunch of panels.
Bonus photoset: the modestly-attended rescheduled World Naked Bike Ride in Washington Park.
photos: Sebastien B
Trashion is back
The Trashion 2010 show coming up this weekend in Troy. The exhibition will feature more than 20 looks that local designers have made out of trash. (Trash + Fashion = Trashion)
The show is at the Atrium Building Saturday evening (doors at 5:30). Tickets are $15 ahead of time ($12 for students and seniors), $20 at the door. You can buy the tickets online or at the Flavour Cafe. This year's show is a benefit for the Fulton Street Gallery.
photo: a piece from M.T. Maiello's 2008 trashion collection
Earlier on AOA:
+ From trash to trashion
+ Anatomy of a trashion piece
Lineups for Pearl-palooza and River Street Festival
They only play scientists on TV.
The music lineups for a couple of upcoming free festivals are out this week.
Rusted Root is headlining the WEQX Pearl-Palooza, along with We Are Scientists. (Yep, we were a little surprised that Rusted Root was still kicking, too.) That's July 3 in downtown Albany.
And the Troy River Street Festival is coming up June 19. Paula Cole will be headlining there (no word on whether she's found any cowboys). A bunch of other acts are also on the schedule -- including locals Ashley Pond and Erin Harkes.
The full lineup for both festivals are after the jump.
Emily's chickens
Emily lives in Troy. And she has chickens. In her backyard.
She gives a little tour of her setup and talks about some background in this video she posted:
There apparently is a bit of a backyard chicken boom right now (with some doubts). Urban chicken advocates say there are a handful of reasons to have a few hens out back (you know, in addition to the eggs).
As Naomi reported last year, it is legal to keep chickens in Troy -- but not in Albany or Schenectady. (Though we've heard there might be a few chickens in Albany. And there was that rooster on the lam last year...)
RPI's Nao Bustamante on Bravo's "Work of Art"
America's next top artist? From "the Burgh?" You'll have to watch to find out.
Next week Bravo premiers its new reality TV series Work of Art. It's like Project Runway or Top Chef... but this time the search is for America's "next great artist." Fourteen of up-and-coming artists will compete for a solo show at the prestigious Brooklyn Museum and a cash prize of $100,000.
One of them will be Lansingburgh resident and RPI associate professor Nao Bustamante.
Bustamante is an internationally known performance artist who teaches New Media and Live Art at RPI.
She took a few minutes to talk with AOA about Troy, being an artist at an engineering school, and her reality TV experience.
More local Refresh grant winners
The Contemporary Artists Center in Troy
Check it out: three more local projects are in line to get $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grants.
+ The Contemporary Artists Center is getting funding to renovate its complex in Troy.
+ The Center For Disability Services and C-R Productions (at the Cohoes Music Hall) are launching a program that will "enrich the lives of 30 people with disabilities through the exploration of performing arts."
+ The Boys and Girls Club of Schenectady is building a playground and garden in Hamilton Hill.
Two Capital Region projects have already received $50k grants from this program -- The Foundry in Cohoes and former UAlbany football player Danny Bocanegra's SelflessTee.
There's now a Facebook page that's tracking and organizing support for Capital Region groups looking to score Refresh grant.
Here are a few that are still seeking grants:
+ The Sabre Companies, based in Slingerlands, is trying for $250k so it can build a prototype playground that can generate electricity to run water pumps in developing countries.
+ Art n Soul Inc is looking for $50k to produce videos of artists talking about their work.
Also: Capital District Community Gardens is hoping to win $50k from an organic food company for its Produce Project. And Victory Christian Church pastor Charlie Muller won a $10k grant from the Pine-sol Powerful Difference Contest.
(Thanks, Annmarie!)
photo: CAC
Troy Food Co-op now aiming to open in the fall
A sketch of the co-op's planned exterior.
The Troy Food Co-op announced today that construction will begin on the old Pioneer Market June 1 -- and the new co-op is aiming to open this fall. (Full release after the jump.)
The org didn't actually own the building until just this week. The co-op says the property was being held by one of the market's founders, Alane Hohenberg. It says it closed on the property Monday.
The co-op had been hoping to start construction earlier this year and open this summer. Apparently it took a little longer to line up the funding, which includes a mix of private and public money.
Downtown Troy hasn't had a supermarket since 2005.
Update: The Record's Cecelia Martinez has more details.
Twilight Vintage in Troy
Twilight Vintage. The window displays are just the beginning of what's so fabulous.
A while back, when I did the AOA vintage round-up, LQ suggested taking a gander at Twilight, a vintage store at 44 4th Street in Troy.
Now, generally a trip into Troy will keep me around River Street, peeking into antique stores but rarely buying. Not anymore.
Thanks to LQ, I've definitely found a new favorite just a few blocks away.
The often-imitated Jess Fink
From left to right: Jess Fink's original design, the Forever 21 t-shirt design, the Goldman work
If imitation truly is flattery, Troy artist Jess Fink should be getting a lot of compliments.
Somehow we're guessing that's not the way it feels.
Fink tweeted last night that she's come across yet another piece inspired-by/ripped-off-from her work. This time she says it's Todd Goldman, an artist with a huge merchandising operation. She posted a screenshot of a Goldman work that bears a strong resemblance to her "Cookie loves Milk" design.
Schedules for Alive at Five / Rockin' on the River
Your 14-year-old self is very excited about the Gin Blossoms. And wait until they hear about Boyz II Men.
The schedules for the free Alive at Five (Albany) and Rockin' on the River (Troy) summer concerts are out.
And... here they are.
(Also, Troy is holding a contest for a local band to open the Rockin' on the River series.)
Meters parked in Troy
Troy's new parking meters arrived this week. Kim M snapped this photo of the new boxes (click on the photo for a bigger version).
The meters are "pay and display" -- so, you park, walk over to the box, pay for time and then display the receipt on the dash of your car. It's 25 cents for 15 minutes.
Five locations are slated to get the meters:
- 8th Street between Sage and College Avenues (near EMPAC - map)
- the Hedley District along River Street (map)
- the areas around the Uncle Sam (map) and Fifth Avenue (map) garages
- the Fifth Avenue lot
The city has said the meters will cover about 400 spots. Last year the city comptroller estimated the meters could bring in about $500k in revenue per year.
[via a comment by bemused, who's not a fan]
Imagining a new Troy riverfront
A "development concept" from the presentation.
The presentation materials for the proposed redevelopment of the city hall site in Troy have been posted online. The package doesn't include a lot of specific details, but you can get a sense of the direction the consultants from Sasaki Associates are pointing toward -- a mixed use development with some sort of gateway to the riverfront.
The report also includes details about the two recommended sites for the new city hall -- the former Verizon Building (which is the temporary city hall) and the old Proctor's Theater on 4th Street.
Update Thursday night: From @TroyMayor:
City Council votes 7-2 to allow for the demolition of the old City Hall. State grant will pay for demolition
@ChateauOfADoubt The site will be redeveloped with mixed use residential and commercial space with parking and public access to river.
Madison Handbags: made in Troy
Trish Rost, runs Madison Handbags from an old warehouse in Troy.
We're noticing them everywhere we go. They're stylish, they're custom made and, as it happens, they're sewn in Troy.
But you can't just buy one. You have to wait until you're asked.
Trish Rost was a sales rep for radio station WGNA when she dreamed up the idea for Madison Handbags. They're custom made bags you design yourself -- but can only buy at a hostess party.
AOA talked with Rost about her factory in Troy, and why she took the home party route in the age of the internet.
Troy's paper boats
One of the joys of living near the Hudson River is seeing the rowing clubs plying their sleek craft across the water at dusk and dawn. The Hudson has long been a favorite of rowers, and for a few decades after the Civil War, it was home to a race-winning curiosity: the paper boat -- created in Troy.
... said Anonymous about The Albany metro area is "brainy"