Clothes Come 'Round Again--Plato's Closet Offers High Fashion at Discount Prices

Plato's Closet buys and sells gently-used teen clothes & it's offering top dollar for name-brand styles in good condition. "We're not a thrift store where you're going to be digging through piles. We only have top quality items," said Kellie Robertson, owner of the clothing store in Point Plaza on Central Avenue.

The store specializes in hot brands like Abercrombie and Fitch, Hollister, and American Eagle. Plato's sells clothes, outerwear, shoes, and accessories for boys and girls. On a recent Thursday afternoon, the store was filled with clothes and kids. A couple who has just brought in a bag of clothes to sell takes some time to browse through the organized racks, maybe hoping to restock. All the racks are organized by clothing type, color and size. Shoes and accessories crowd the tops and ends of the racks, and the store is decorated with shopping bags from popular stores in the mall.

Plato's only accepts items that are in style. "They have to have been in the mall in the last year," said Janelle Ledbetter, Assistant Manager. To ensure that the clothes on the racks stay attractive, the store's 14 employees are tested on their fashion skills and style, Ledbetter said. "You have to be pretty fashion saavy," Ledbetter said.

Plato's Closet is part of a national franchise. Robertson and her husband learned about the franchise from Robertson's cousin, and decided to open their own store two years ago. The Robertsons have six kids and know how expensive clothing can be, Robertson said. They wanted to help make it easier for other parents. In January, they will open a second location across the street from Rotterdam Mall.

Plato's Closet certainly is an alternative to the mall for some budget-conscious kids and parents looking to stretch a buck. Customers can get a whole outfit--tops and bottoms--for $25. That's less than the cost of a sweater at some of these boutiques, meaning that Plato's Closet could give the mall a run for its money.

Plato's Closet is located at 818 Central Avenue in Albany. They are open Monday-Friday 10am-8pm, Saturdays 10am-6pm, and Sunday 12pm-5pm.

Central Avenue Gift Guide-Your holiday shopping guide to the best bargains on the Avenue

Not up for a trek to the mall? Christmas presents are closer than you think! Central Avenue used to be Albany’s shopping district—Now you can relive those glory days, and support local businesses. Here’s a shopping guide to some of the best bargains on Central Avenue. Whether you need a gift for a new baby, a stocking stuffer for Uncle Bill, or a present for a hard-to-please teen, make these Central Avenue stores your destination:

Best Bargain Gift EVER—Fleece Hat and Scarf set
Family Beauty Supply, 139 Central Avenue
Offering fleece hat and scarf sets in a number of colors and patterns for just $2.99. This is a great stocking stuffer or last minute gift!

Go Army—Army & Navy Bags
Unique Army Navy Supply Store, 129 Central Avenue
Offering very cool military-style shoulder bags $9.99, European ruck sacks $25.99, and NATO medic bags $9.99. These military-style bags are the latest in fashion, and the heavy-duty canvas bags are virtually indestructible (so they’ll be around the next time they become popular, too.)

Street smarts—Urban fiction
Front Page Bookstore, 121 Central Avenue
This bookstore specializes in urban fiction, African-American biographies, but they also have a wonderful selection of children’s books featuring minority protagonists. Some great gift ideas include the biography of Dr. Dre ($24.95), the new Wanda Sykes book ($23.00), the biography of James Baldwin ($18.95), or the award-winning children’s book, Come on Rain ($16.95) or another beloved children’s tale, Me and Uncle Romie ($16.99).

Good green groceries—Sweet Treats
Honest Weight Food Co-Op, 484 Central Avenue
This full-service grocery store offers everything from organic groceries, to bulk foods, to produce, to a gourmet deli. The store also offers a number of unique gifts. Bee Man Candles in fun pine tree and pine cone shapes ($3.49-$6.99). For the tea lover in your life, grab a box or two of Yogi Tea ($3.79). The store offers a range of flavors including Egyptian Licorice, African Redbush Peach, Moroccan Orange Spice, and Tahitian Vanilla Hazelnut. They also have great sweets, including tasty sugar-free Queen Bee Candy ($13.39/lb) in Caramel Kisses, Creamy Fudge, Hawaiian Berry, and Pecan Pearl; Baker’s Daughter homemade brownies ($3.49), and gourmet honeys from Catalonia in rosemary, thyme, and lavender ($8.49). Stop in and roam through for more great ideas!

Boost your super powers—Grab a comic book
Earthworld Comics, 537 Central Avenue
This store offers everything from the latest adventures of Lobster Johnson ($2.99), to action hero T-shirts ($17.95-$18.95) to action figures from all the most popular series, including Batman, Kingdom Come, Buffy, Wonder Woman, and Nightmare Before Christmas ($14.95-$25.95). And for the novice, there’s the old stand-by, Archie & Friends Comic books ($2.25).

Pamper Your Feet—Heel-to-Toe Pedicure Kit
Sally Beauty Supply, Westgate Plaza
The Heel-to-Toe pedicure kit features foot scrub, lotion, masque, and soak in a convenient travel tote, at a bargain for $9.99. Give the gift of relaxation—or treat yourself after all that shopping! The store also has great stocking stuffers like nail buffers and emory boards (79 cents) or cute foam toe separators for the at-home pedicure (49 cents).

Bargain Bling—Fashion jewelry for less
Fashion Bug, Westgate Plaza
Get up-to-the-minute necklaces, bracelets and earrings deeply-discounted. A strand of chunky black beads ($8) or earring and necklace sets ($16). Plus they have fashionable tights, and hat-scarf-and-glove sets to help keep your loved ones warm this year.

Get your motor running—Harley Davidson baby sets
Capital Kidzwear, 204 Washington Avenue, at the corner of Lark and Washington
This new children’s clothing store has everything, and it’s conveniently located. Whether you need kids' formalwear (toddler tuxes and dresses), a new school uniform (FrenchToast), or the best name brands (Timberland, Dickies, South Pole, Puma, Ecko, and Esprit) for the kid in your life, Capital Kidzwear has it. They carry sizes Infant to Boys 20 and Girls 16, and even some Juniors clothing. Plus they have the cutest gift sets for babies from all your favorite teams and name brands, including Yankees, Giants, Red Sox, Dickies, and Harley Davidson. Prices range from $36-$40 for these five-piece sets.

Double Happiness Takes Tri-City Residents Downstate

Double Happiness Travel Inc., a New York City bus company, has just opened a new office on Central Avenue. The company will offer bus trips from Albany to Kingston and Manhattan.



The company offers several trips per week, at very affordable rates. A one-way ticket to Manhattan is $25 and round-trip tickets are $45. The three buses leave from the Albany station at 128 Central Avenue once a day and stop in Chinatown and Midtown. For their convenience, passengers can wait in the bus station waiting room. For more information about schedules, check the company's website http://www.aabus.com/.

Geico Opens on the Avenue & Gives Back to Community

Geico has come to Albany! The national insurance company opened a new office on Central Avenue near the Hannaford Plaza, and they want to be part of the Capital District community by giving to local charities and causes. “This office locally has really reached out to the local community to lend a hand,” said Anthony Triola, Director of Sales and Marketing.
The office’s ribbon-cutting, which was held November 27, was attended by Albany City Mayor Jerry Jennings, and about 80 members of the community. The head of the local office, Field Representative Dave Phillips, took the occasion to present the the Police Athletic League a check for $1,000 to assist with their annual toy drive. Geico also sponsors eight River Rats games, and will sponsor Albany Conquest Arena Football games, said Triola.
This year, Geico also sponsored one of the light displays in the Capital Holiday Lights in the Park in Washington Park—a 14-foot gecko lizard.
This Friday evening, the office is also working with Joe’s Kids, Troy Boys & Girls Club, Juvenile Diabetes, and Centro Civico to sponsor a Christmas party downtown to help give toys to local youngsters.
The company wants to give back to the community, said Triola, who said he is looking forward to seeing the kids receive their presents that night. “They’re so happy, and it doesn’t take a lot,” Triola said.
Phillips also wants to help the local chapter of the Pioneers, a tri-city volunteer organization that fixes up old toys to be distributed to low-income children in the area. Phillips will work with the organization in memory of his father-in-law Ken Rapsard, who co-founded the Pioneers, said Triola.
Geico offers auto, motorcycle, homeowners, and renters insurance, six days a week: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm, and Saturday 9am-1pm. There are eight staff members to serve customers. The office recently added a large fish tank, and a tank containing live geckos. The geckos won’t arrive until next week, Triola said.

Take a Virtual Tour

Advantage Suzuki Constructs new dealership in four months-now that's speedy!

Advantage Suzuki expects to complete construction on its brand-new dealership by December 1--that's just four months after the project began.

Advantage wanted to update their facilities, said Scott Autrey, Advantage's Service Manager. Autrey said the multimillion-dollar project includes a new more attractive showroom and service area. The improvements are all about customer-comfort, he said. The new facilities were built "from scratch" after the old facilities had been demolished, he said. The new showroom overlooks Central Avenue with its large sunny windows, and features a sleek new interior and exterior. The showroom is also about three-times as large as the previous showroom, Autrey said. They have also added wireless internet capacity for the convenience of their customers.

Advantage is also adding drive-in service facilities, so that customers are protected from the elements when they drop off their vehicles. The new service area will also feature a car-wash, Autrey said.

They look forward to continuing to provide excellent service to all their customers, Autrey said.

Utilty Work To Cause Service Interuptions at West End of Central

Utility work to cause outages!

Several businesses will need to have electrical service shut down for a time as National Grid contractors replace overhead service during the Reconstruction of Central Avenue. This will happen starting today and over the next few days (weather may extend the schedule) Please call the BID office if you are not sure, as we have a copy of the Schedule available. The CBID will be handing out notices in order to double check to make sure businesses are aware of the schedules.

If you have any questions, please call our office at 518-462-4300

Capital Thai and Sushi offers wide array of specialties

We visited Capital Thai and Sushi for dinner and left full and happy. We started with the Thai iced-tea, a sweet and creamy concoction that would have made a fine dessert, but also went well with the gyoza we ordered as an appetizer. The small pork dumplings were served with a coconut-based sauce to cut their spiciness. For dinner, we sampled food from both sides of the China Sea. The sushi and sashimi platter, made before my eyes at the on-site sushi bar, boasted fresh, tender fish. The rolls were simple, but flavorful. The generous portion of pad thai was served with bean sprouts and peanuts over lettuce, and made an impressive presentation. The restaurant decor is clean and sparse, with just a few official-looking portraits decorating the walls. Our server was very attentive and friendly, and took time to visit with all of the customers. Even though it just opened, the restaurant had its share of customers that night. It won't be long before this new spot is discovered--so don't wait to visit!

The new restaurant located at 977 Central Avenue, next to Lexington Vacuum, near the Home Depot.

Renovation Complete on Central Veterinary Hospital—Animals Give it Two Paws Up

The Central Veterinary Hospital is now five times as big, giving patients and doctors more space to stretch out in.
Now it’s almost too big, jokes Dr. Michel Hardaker, the hospital owner. “It’s kind of peculiar because I thought this would be everything I ever wanted, but now everything’s taking longer to do because it’s so much bigger,” she said with a laugh. She and her staff were used to working in the cramped 2,000 square foot facility, but are learning to stretch out, and enjoy the extra 8,500 feet that was added, she said.
The hospital completed construction on a brand-new $1.2 million state-of-the-art wing this summer. The staff moved into the new two-story wing in September.
“We had been doing as much as we could in that tiny space for too long,” Hardaker said.
The hospital will now only use the old facility for canine boarding, allowing them to expand their kennel operations.
The new facility features dedicated facilities for dogs and cats, making it a more comfortable experience for both animals and owners. The place has six exam rooms, three for dogs and three for cats. There are also separate waiting areas for the different species, allowing cats to wait “without having a German Shepherd breathing down your neck,” Hardaker said.
The new facility also has a cat boarding area, and a large new space that they are currently using for exercising the dogs, although they may adapt it for puppy classes or doggy daycare at some point, Hardaker said.
The hospital now has an entire dental suite, and laser capabilities. They also added two new doctors, and some support staff, expanding their staff from 12-15 to 20 people, and more are expected to join, Hardaker said.
The hospital has been located at 388 Central Avenue since 1982. Hardaker purchased the business in 1990. The expansion is a perfect way to celebrate the hospital’s 25th Anniversary.

WAMC A New Hub of Arts & Entertainment

WAMC Northeast Public Radio and Central Avenue Business Improvement District is teaming up to create a new Arts and Entertainment District along Central Avenue. The district will encompass a two-block radius around the Linda Norris Auditorium and will consist of a mix of theaters, galleries, and outdoor cafes.
WAMC has contributed $30,000 to the project, and the BID has contributed $10,000. The two organizations have solicited proposals from planning organizations to create a comprehensive plan for the proposed district, said David Galletly, WAMC Vice President.
The request for proposal (RFP) outlines the requirements for this comprehensive plan. The plans must address future capital developments, zoning, branding and signage, and provide master plans for the area. The Proposals were due July 6, 2007 and are currently under review. The RFP asks designers to preserve and restore architectural features and streetscapes, and to create a “vibrant blend of commercial and residential uses/densities, including artisan live-work space, and residential and commercial mix-uses."
The final proposal will be selected by the end of the summer, and will then be presented to the community for review, Galletly said. The plans would provide a "recommended path" for the district, he said.
The RFP requires that the designers meet with the community in a planning charrette. This formal critique will allow for the community to make suggestions and participate in the design process. WAMC and BID also held a public meeting on the proposed district on June 21, where they were able to talk with members of the business and residential community in this area.
The RFP also notes several other projects that are currently under way on the Avenue that will affect the new district, including the creation of a new parking multi-use parking facility on Central Avenue next to the Linda Norris. The lot will serve auditorium patrons at night, and CDTA park-and-ride customers during the day.
Anthony J. Capece, Executive Director for the Central BID, said secure parking is the first step in bringing many folks to the area. The next step will be to attract some restaurants and other targeted businesses to the area, Capece said.
WAMC has several holdings along Central Avenue, including the building that now holds the studio and offices and the Linda Norris. The station just recently purchased a large piece of property on the corner of Central Avenue and Quail Street. The property encompasses two buildings and extends away from Central Avenue one neighborhood block. The buildings now holds a vitamin and supplements store, a laundromat, and a pizzeria.

Written by Molly Belmont

Honest Weight Food Co-Op Buys $1.35 M Building

The Honest Weight Food Co-Op, a local natural and organic grocery store, has purchased a new $1.35 million building on Watervliet Avenue, and plans to relocate to the new space in 2009.
The co-op has been at the current location on Central Avenue behind the Dollar General Store for 12 years, but it is beginning to feel "pinched" in the space, said Cindee Lolick, Operations and Administrative Coordinator.

The new location offers three times as much retail space, and will also allow the co-op to add a teaching kitchen, and a full-service deli, juice bar, coffee bar, and salad bar, Lolick said. Located on 2.8 acres, the new location will also provide more parking space for customers.
The entire process is expected to take 18-24 months, Lolick said. The building still has tenants until August. After that, renovation of the facilities will begin. The co-op is working with 3t Architects to create a design for the new space. The new location at 100 Watervliet Avenue will open late spring or early summer of 2009.
“We’re thrilled,” said Lolick.

ROAD WORK UPDATE

**New Work**
CENTRAL AVENUE I-90 bridge to King Avenue - MILLING & PAVING -
Beginning tonight and working Monday thru Friday 7PM to 6AM each night
for the next three weeks the City's contractor will begin to mill and
pave base course of asphalt. This week the work will be from the I-90
bridge east to Colvin Avenue. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in
each direction and all intersections will be maintained, controlled by
flag persons as necessary. The contractor will mill the existing
asphalt and then install new pavement. It is anticipated the work will
take twelve to fourteen nights to complete without a stoppage of work
for weather. Access to all business will be maintained. Delays are
expected during this work.

Everett Road Central Avenue to I-90 Bridge: The City's Contractor will
continue road repairs Monday thru Friday nights from 7PM to 6AM to
repair pavement joints and roadway median. There will be a single lane
closure in each direction during these hours.

Central Avenue - West City Line to King Avenue - Road reconstruction -
Utility Work continues through May 1, 2008
Gas Main replacement: The work hours will be from 6PM - 6AM each night
Sunday through Thursday nights. The contractor will be replacing the
gas main on the south side of Central Avenue starting at King Ave and
working west in the eastbound curb lane. A single eastbound lane
closure will be set up during the work hours. Additionally limited off
roadway work will be performed Monday - Friday during the daytime
hours. A sub-contractor will be repairing the pavement in the trench created
by the contractor installing the gas main. This work will occur Monday
- Friday from 9AM - 3PM.

Overhead utility replacement:
This work continues daily between 7AM and 7PM on Central Avenue
westbound between the west City line and Colvin Avenue. The contractor
for National Grid and Verizon is working off roadway to set new utility
poles. Minimal impacts to the eastbound traffic during this work.
Various other overhead utility companies will have right eastbound or
westbound lane closures between 9AM and 3 PM daily to relocated their
utility lines.

Rosen's Uniforms Expands Downstate

Rosen's Uniforms has expanded to Middletown, NY.

This second location caters to firefighters, police, and emergency personnel in the Southern tier, said co-owner Adrienne Scherzer. The third generation business saw an opportunity in the area when Middletown’s Tri-State Uniforms closed in July. The Rosen owners, Scherzer and her sister, Karen Krakat, kept Tri-State's knowledgeable, three person staff for a smooth transition. "They closed one day, we opened the next," Scherzer said.
Rosen’s Uniforms has been in business since 1929. Rosen’s has been located on Central Avenue, since their grandparents opened the business 78 years ago, Scherzer said.
The new location will feature the same excellent selection, in-house embroidery, and high-quality goods. The new location is also in a Middletown business improvement district, just like its Capital counterpart, Scherzer said.
The Middletown location opened August 1, and the official ribbon-cutting celebration will take place November 1.

Business news blog - Times Union Albany NY - The Buzz: Business news » School moving to Albany’s Central Avenue - timesunion.com - Albany NY

Business news blog - Times Union Albany NY - The Buzz: Business news » School moving to Albany’s Central Avenue - timesunion.com - Albany NY

Carmine’s New TV Show

CARMINE'S RESTAURANT

Be Part of the NEW Show!

Do you wonder what it is like to be on television? Well, here's your chance to find out. Our crew will be shooting LIVE here at the restaurant. That means if you make a reservation for lunch between 1:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m. OR dinner from 4:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m., you just might be asked to be part of our live studio audience! Our television studio is right here at Carmine's Restaurant, and we will be taping segments for our upcoming season while guests are enjoying lunch or dinner. Call for more info, or to make reservations! 518 -458-8688

~Carmine
Carmine's is located at:

818 Central Ave
Albany, NY 12206
Phone: 518.458.8688
Fax: 518.458.2997

Albany Institute Calendar of Events-Updated CLICK

TODAY: Hospitality & Restaurant Industry Small Business Forum

“The purpose of this forum is to help aspiring, new and existing business owners understand and meet their federal/state tax obligations”
When:
Thursday, October 18th, 2007
4:00pm – 6:00pm

Presenters:
IRS-Stakeholder Liaison Field
New York State Tax & Finance

Where:
Paul Smith’s College
Joan Weill Student Center - Pine Room
Route 86 & 30
Paul Smiths, NY 12970-0265

Representatives from federal & state agencies will be discussing the following topics:

How to file & pay your Federal-State taxes electronically
What do you need to know when running a home based business
How to set-up a retirement plan for you and your employees
Federal-State Business tax credits
And more…

Please call Mary McLean to register
518-327-6430 or email mmclean@paulsmiths.edu
Registration fee is $10 and includes light hors’douvres.

BZA Notice Regarding Central Avenue

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

AGENDA :Wednesday, November 14, 2007

5:30 PM

Common Council Chambers

Second Floor, City Hall

1. Case # 11-07, 1464

The case of Central Real Estate Partnership c/o Hershberg & Hershberg regarding the premises located at 883 & 885 Central Avenue requesting an area variance pursuant to Sections 375-26 and 375-142 of the City of Albany Zoning Ordinance to allow for the subdivision of a single 2.884 acre lot into two individual lots, where one lot approximately 0.911 acres in size will be left without street frontage. The property is located in a C-2 Highway Commercial zoning district.

Roadwork Update

Central Avenue West City Line to King Avenue: The City's Contractor will begin roadwork on Monday October 15 on a multiphase project to rehabilitate Central Avenue from the West City Line east to King Avenue. The following areas will be under construction:

• Monday - Friday 9AM - 3PM Central Avenue east of Tremont Street there will be a single eastbound and westbound lane closure for pavement saw cutting in advance of a sewer line installation




• Monday - Friday 9AM - 3PM Central Avenue in the area of Vatrano Road (near the west City line) there will be a single eastbound and westbound lane closure for pavement saw cutting in advance of a water line installation

Everett Road Central Avenue to I-90 Bridge: The City's Contractor will begin roadwork on Tuesday October 16 from 7PM to 6AM each night to repair pavement joints. There will be a single lane closure in each direction during these hours.

Continuing Work

Central Avenue - West City Line to King Avenue - Road reconstruction - Utility Work continues through May 1, 2008

Gas Main replacement: The work hours will be from 6PM - 6AM each night Sunday through Friday nights. The contractor will be replacing the gas main on the south side of Central Avenue starting at King Ave and working west in the eastbound curb lane. A single eastbound lane closure will be set up during the work hours. Additionally limited off roadway work will be performed Monday - Friday during the daytime hours.

Overhead utility replacement:

This work continues daily between 7AM and 7PM on Central Avenue eastbound and westbound between the west City line and Colvin Avenue. The contractor for National Grid is working off roadway to set new utility poles. Minimal impacts to the eastbound traffic during this work.

Various other overhead utility companies will have right eastbound or westbound lane closures between 9AM and 3 PM daily to relocated their utility lines.

Information Courtesy of:

William E. Trudeau Jr.

Coordinator

City of Albany

Traffic Engineering

Mildred Elley To Relocate to Central Avenue

One year after abandoning plans to move to downtown Schenectady, the Mildred Elley school said Wednesday it will relocate to Central Avenue in Albany.


Excerpt from Albany Times Union Article: October 11, 2007

To read the entire story follow the link Above:

The business school and Austin's School of Spa Technology, both owned by Empire Education Corp., intend to move next year to the West Mall Office Park at 855 Central Ave., bringing roughly 650 students to a section of the city near Westgate Plaza and the retail center's iconic sign.



Chris Churchill can be reached at 454-5442 or by e-mail at cchurchill@timesunion.com.

Traffic Updates

Central Avenue - West City Line to Everett Road - Road reconstruction - Utility Work Continues through May 1, 2008

Gas Main replacement: The work hours will be from 6PM - 6AM each night Sunday through Friday nights. The contractor will be replacing the gas main on the south side of Central Avenue starting at King Ave and working west in the eastbound curb lane. A single eastbound lane closure will be set up during the work hours. Additionally limited off roadway work will be performed Monday - Friday during the daytime hours.

Overhead utility replacement:

This work continues daily between 7AM and 7PM on Central Avenue eastbound and westbound between the west City line and Colvin Avenue. The contractor for National Grid is working off roadway to set new utility poles. Minimal impacts to the eastbound traffic during this work.

Various other overhead utility companies will have right eastbound or westbound lane closures between 9AM and 3 PM daily to relocated their utility lines.

Survey being conducted by College student on BIDS

To view the survey results click the link above

A new level of livable at Capitol Green on the Avenue

Capitol Green, the 308-unit affordable housing complex on upper Central Avenue underwent a $4 million face lift this year. The property was purchased last fall by The Related Companies, a Manhattan firm that owns a number of similar properties across New York. The firm specializes in renovating and rehabilitating affordable housing projects, buildings that are often in need of some tender-loving-care, said Matthew Finkle, Senior Vice President of The Related Companies.
Work is expected to be completed by the end of the year, and then Related Management, another arm of the company, will stay on to manage the property, Finkle said.
As part of the rehabilitation they have done work on the interior and exterior, devoting special attention to the apartments themselves, as well as the community spaces, Finkle said.
The new owners have:
· Installed new kitchens, replacing old appliances
· Replaced lighting
· Replaced sinks
· Installed new smoke detectors
· Repainted
· Replaced hallway flooring
· Replaced the buildings roof
· Fixed the elevators
· Redecorated the community room
· Spruced up the lobby
· Rebuilt laundry facilities
· Installed a new security access program
· Fixed up garage
· Relandscaped front of the building, replacing concrete with grass
· Added children's playground
· Added new signage and awningsThe building is mostly occupied at this time, Finkle said, but the new owners will begin to assemble a waiting list for the newly spiffed-up units. As part of the affordable housing program, tenants need to meet certain income qualifications to be eligible for the apartments. Income standards vary according to family size, and the rental structure is regulated under the Housing and Urban Development program. Currently, rent is set at $575 for a studio, $599 for a one-bedroom, and $799 for a two-bedroom.

Story Written by Molly Belmont Contributing Writer to the CBID

City of Albany Roadwork update September 29 - October 5 2007

Central Avenue - West City Line to Everett Road - Road reconstruction - Utility Work continues through May 1, 2008

Gas Main replacement: *** Updated ***

The work hours will be from 6PM  - 6AM each night Sunday through Friday nights.  The contractor will be replacing the gas main on the south side of Central Avenue starting at King Ave and working west in the eastbound curb lane.  A single eastbound lane closure will be set up during the work hours.  Additionally limited off roadway work will be performed Monday - Friday during the daytime hours.

Overhead utility replacement:  

This work continues daily between 7AM and 7PM on Central Avenue eastbound  and westbound between the west City line and Colvin Avenue.  The contractor for National Grid is working off roadway to set new utility poles.  Minimal impacts to the eastbound traffic during this work.

Various other overhead utility companies will have right eastbound or westbound lane closures between 9AM and 3 PM daily to relocated their utility lines. 

 

 Courtesy of: 

 

William E. Trudeau Jr.

Coordinator

City of Albany

Traffic Engineering

526 Central Avenue

Albany, New York 12206

 

The Womens Building

Friday, September 28, 6:30pm
Dinner & a Classic Movie
NOW Playing: Houseboat
The Women's Building, 79 Central Avenue
Talk about a movie that really floats! Sophia Loren and Cary Grant make a sizzling twosome. Grant is a widower who has three children and is now being pursued by his widow's sister. Loren is the daughter of a rich Italian conductor who's tired of life with her father, so she runs away and becomes Grant's nanny … even though she can't cook or clean! The magnetic Loren and the charming Grant add up to a cheeky, urbane comedy.
Dinner will include cheese ravioli with red sauce, salad, and a sweet treat for dessert. Your host will be Mary Jane Zanelli.
$10 Donation requested, but not required. RSVP --call 518.462.2871 or email us at thewomensbuilding@yahoo.com

Townsend park Merchants Meeting

Join us tonite for another Central Avenue Event

Congratulations to Capital Thai and Sushi for their grand opening held on Sept. 26 2007, Owner Zow and Mayor Jennings cut the ribbon while staff, family and dear friends stood by to wish him well. The CBID staff helped organize the event and was treated to a wonderful buffet of delicious foods from Potato Samosas some spectacular Sushi.

Thanks you Zow, your staff, what a great start and we wish you success. Our advice from the BID office is Try it!

Capital Thai & Sushi is located at 997 Central Avenue (Next to Quizno's)

Italian-American Heritage Week

ADVISORY regarding : Italian-American Heritage Week
NEWS CONFERENCE
WHO: Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings
WHEN: 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007
WHERE: Rotunda, Albany City Hall.
WHAT: Mayor Jennings will proclaim Oct. 1-7 "Italian-American Heritage Week"
in the City of Albany - a week filled with an array of special events
saluting the contributions of Italian Americans.
The week long celebration culminates with the 16th Annual Columbus Parade &
Italian Festival on Saturday, Oct. 6. The parade route begins at Western and
North Main Avenues, proceeds down Western Avenue, over Robin Street and into
Washington Park where an authentic Italian Festival takes place.
Scheduled to join Mayor Jennings at the News Conference are:
. President of the Columbus Parade & Italian Festival, Steven T. Longo.
. Philip J. DiNovo, Honorary Grand Marshal of the 2007 parade and festival,
who is founder and executive director of the American Italian Heritage
Museum & Culture Center on Central Avenue. The facility is scheduled to open
by early 2008.
. Members of the Children's Dance Troupe of Albany's Italian American
Community Center who will perform The Tarantella.
. Musician Dominic Adamo playing mandolin.
. A display of pastillage by Chef Pat Rocco.
. Members of the West Albany Italian Benevolent Society, Sons of Italy in
America and the Italian American Community Center in Albany, all of which
sponsor the parade, festival and celebration with the City of Albany.
. Also, a special treat: Gelato (Italian ice cream) will be served!
NOTE: Albany ranks as 13th among cities in the United States with the most
Italian-Americans within its population, according to U.S. Census data.
Beginning in the late 19th century, Italians began to emigrate to Albany.
They first settled in an ethnically diverse neighborhood framed by Madison
Avenue and Grand Street in the South End. There, they established a thriving
community - complete with import stores, bakeries, restaurants, dealers,
barbers, shoemakers, St. Anthony' s Church, mutual benefit societies,
newspapers and private banks.
MORE INFO: Visit www.columbusdayalbanyny.com
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