The Academy for Lifelong Learning at Saratoga Springs (A.L.L.) invites the public to its second annual Storytellers Series. This free, five-week brown bag lunch and learn series will begin January 6. A different A.L.L. professional storyteller will entertain the audience each Wednesday from noon to 1:00 PM in Empire State College room 126 (the Rotunda) at 2 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs. The schedule is: January 6 – Kate Dudding: Laughing Matters: Tales to Tickle Your Funny Bone; January 13 – Joe Peck: More Farm Stories; January 20 – Margaret French: Tales from Canada. Folktales and Personal Stories with a Canadian Point of View; January 27 – Carol Gregson: A Walk in the Woods with the Pottersville Complainer; and, February 3 – Betty Cassidy: POTPOURRI: A Blend of Stories from History to Mystery. A Mixture of Folk and Personal Tales. Come, bring your lunch and enjoy these well-known area storytellers, each exhibiting their own [...]

One of the region’s top restaurateurs will again
share his love of wine as chair of fund-raiser to battle blood cancer

Dominick Purnomo of Yono’s & dp An American Brasserie will serve as Honorary Chairman for the 6th annual Taste of Compassion wine-tasting event January 29

Albany, New York (January 2010) – Dominick Purnomo, one of the Capital Region’s best known restaurateurs and wine experts, will serve as honorary chairman of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s sixth annual wine-testing event set for 7 p.m. Friday, January 29, at Wolferts Roost Country Club in Albany. The event, Taste of Compassion, is a fund-raising benefit for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), Upstate New York/Vermont Chapter.

Dominick Purnomo is owner of dp An American Brasserie and the award-winning sommelier of Yono’s Restaurant. His involvement in the campaign to battle blood [...]

Albany, New York – Multiple street closures throughout downtown Albany will be in effect on Saturday, December 19 in association with Albany Winter Fest. Public parking for Albany Winter Fest will be available at various locations throughout the city.

FREE LOTS (effective 12/19 @ 11:00 am – 8:00 pm):

Water Street lots (Under I-787)

Swan and Elk lot

Liberty lot

Pastures Lot

Madison & South Pearl lot

Elk Street lot

Grand Street lot.

LOTS AVAILABLE for a fee:

Times Union Center lot

North Pearl @ Sheridan Ave

Empire State Plaza Visitor’s lot (for 5K Participants)

$5 PARKING:

Columbia Street Garage (Broadway & Columbia street) open 24 hours

Street meters will be suspended all weekend making on-street parking available at no charge. Please watch for Emergency No Parking [...]

ALBANY, NY (12/11/2009)(readMedia)– The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) today announced the winners of the Fall 2009 Restaurant Week survey contest. Restaurant Week, held from October 4-10, offered diners from the Capital Area region three-course meals for one low price at 20 premier downtown restaurants. Diners were asked to complete a survey about their experience, which entered them in a drawing to win $50 certificates from participating restaurants. Prizes include:

* 1st Prize: $500 (10 gift certificates)
* 2nd Prize: $300 (6 gift certificates)
* 3rd Prize: $200 (4 gift certificates)

Out of over 2,000 surveys, the BID has drawn three prize winners. First place was awarded to Susan Kochan of Scotia, NY, second place was awarded to Kris Aliperti of Loudonville, NY, and third place was awarded to Paula Skalwold of Schenectady, NY.

“This year’s Restaurant Week gave residents and visitors an opportunity to experience the variety of cuisines and [...]

Spirit Flies High in Albany

ALBANY, NY (12/03/2009)(readMedia)– Southwest Airlines’ in-flight magazine Spirit is profiling Albany under the “Business Focus” section of its December 2009 issue. This section, which was just recently added to the magazine, explores the area’s economic development initiatives, takes a look at the region’s key business sectors and commerce, the region’s advanced education and healthcare resources and all of the unique characteristics of the Capital Region that heighten the quality of life here.

The Downtown Albany BID is offering December Southwest travelers an added incentive to read the Business Focus on Albany in Spirit. Travelers who mail in a copy of the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District advertisement featured in this December 2009 section – along with their name, mailing address, telephone and email address – will be eligible to win a $100 American Express Gift Card! Entries must be received by [...]

Albany, New York – Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings will host a tree lighting ceremony in Academy Park, TOMORROW, Thursday, December 3rd at 6:00 PM in honor of the Holiday Season. Academy Park is located across the street from City Hall.

Performing at the lighting will be the Albany High School Choir and a concert by Dr. Charles Semowich on the Albany City Carillon.

The public is invited to join the Mayor and the City of Albany employees in the lighting of the tree and singing of seasonal carols.

For additional information, please contact the City of Albany Office of Special Events and Volunteer Services at (518) 434-2032.

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Albany, New York -Mayor Jerry Jennings and the City of Albany are proud to announce the 4th annual Albany Winter Fest.

On Saturday December 19, New York’s Capital City will celebrate the season with an all-ages event that will once again transform Downtown Albany into a winter wonderland with fun for the whole family including interactive games, live music and a wide array of performances!

Festivities begin at 12pm. New for this year, traffic will be closed on Broadway, where the street will come alive between Columbia and Pine Streets with magic, music, performers & laughter. The event will showcase extreme trampoline demonstrations, torch juggling, transformations face-painting, a rock climbing wall, giant mural, mini-golf, ice skating rink, amusement games, strolling entertainers and the popular scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt will guide folks through the event to gather clues and register for a 3-day/2-night trip [...]

The Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce invites you to join the local business community, elected officals and residents as we host the annual Troy Victorian Stroll Kickoff Celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Kickoff festivities begin at 5:00pm at the First Niagara Bank Lobby, 32 Second Street, Downtown Troy and include the unveiling of the annual Stroll commemorative poster and collectible ornament.

The poster will be accessioned into the archives of the Rensselaer County Historical Society in a presentation directly following the unveiling. The ceremony also includes a limited edition postmark cancellation from the U.S. Post Office featuring the Stroll logo and poster image.

Participants will be dressed in Victorian-era clothing including City of Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian, Chamber President Linda Hillman, Chamber staff, and various business community representatives.

Attendees will be greeted by the holiday sounds of the Catholic Central [...]