Holiday Gift Guide-Good time gifts: With budgets tight, give the gift that keeps on giving

Cash is tight this year, not just for consumers, but for local businesses, too. Why not give a gift that supports local businesses, and enhances quality of life?

Research shows that money spent at local businesses stays local. When you spend a dollar at a local business, about half of that dollar stays in the local economy, in contrast with the dollar you spend at a national chain, where only about 13 cents of that dollar stays in the nearby economy. Likewise, money spent at independent locally-owned businesses recirculates an average 3.5 times more than money spent at a chain business. When you Christmas shop locally, you're not just keeping businesses open and preventing vacancies, you're helping your neighbors--and isn't that the true spirit of Christmas?

This year, consider giving the gift of a good time. Season tickets or the gift of a membership help defray someone's entertainment costs throughout the year. Experiential gifts like restaurant gift certificates and concert tickets can also help local businesses keep their doors open, since extras like outings and tickets are some of the first items that get scratched off a budget when times are tight. Give an experiential gift, and you give a gift that keeps on giving.

And the Central Business District has a lot of affordable entertainment options, from live music to gym memberships to basketball tickets--so there's something for just about everyone on your list.

Music, film, debates and theater--It's all happening at the Linda, WAMC's Performing Arts Studio at 339 Central Avenue. And with prices ranging from $6 to $25 and up, you can go online and buy a handful of tickets for a year's worth of events. Check out the schedule and buys tickets at http://www.wamcarts.org/ or call at 465-5233 ext. 4.

Know someone who could use a little relaxation or rejuvenation? Think about giving the gift of yoga classes or introducing them to Nia, a new fitness fusion program. The Center for Nia and Yoga at 4 Central Avenue offers a range of yoga, Nia, and meditation classes that reduce stress and promote wellness. You can purchase passes to individual classes or get a season pass through their website: http://www.nia-yoga.com/ or call the center at 463-5145.

Want to give the gift of health? Buy someone you love a gym membership.

Best Fitness at 911 Central Avenue, offers memberships, for fees as low as $19.99 a month. Membership includes access to fitness equipment, a full schedule of classes, childcare, and tanning and steamroom facilities. Check out their website at http://www.bestfitness.us/ or call the gym at 435-2378.

Another option is the the Capital District YMCA with fees starting at $11 a month for youth, and $46 a month for adults. Membership includes access to fitness equipment, a full schedule of classes, child care, camping, and a swimming pool. Check out their website at http://www.cdymca.org/ or call at 869-3500.
Fees to join vary.

Got a culinary enthusiast? Everyone loves a good meal, and Central offers food from around the world. Buy a gift certificate to your favorite restaurant, and you can introduce someone you love to something new! Check out some of the different options at http://www.dinetheavenue.com/

Capital Kidzwear: Urbanite brings urbanwear to Albany

Before opening Capital Kidzwear, Suwie Waweru did her homework.

Waweru is an M.B.A., who was working in the financial services field in Manhattan. She describes herself as a "New York City girl pretty much forever," but after the events of September 11, she like so many other New Yorkers, decided to make a change.

Waweru decided to open her own business, and she approached the task with determination and energy. She began researching the Capital District, looking at census information for each city, and did surveys of the area. After learning about Albany's charter school boom, and its diversity, she decided it was the perfect location for the business she had in mind--a clothing store for children that specializes in urban wear and school uniforms. It was the kind of store that she saw all over New York and northern New Jersey, but there weren't any in the here, she said.

According to the store slogan, the store carries "clothes kids wanna wear," including stylish namebrands like Rocawear, Bank Street, and Pellepelle, as well as shoes, boots, and outerwear. They also have a range of formalwear for boys and girls, including little boys' tuxedos and christening clothing.

She and her husband, Patrick Waweru, opened the store in 2006, and business has been good since opening, she said. "It's following the economy," she said. Store sales were relatively stable until July, and then they took a sharp dive, she said. But Waweru, who regularly talks to the surrounding shopowners and other neighbors nearby, said that all small businesses are having trouble right now.

Many local businesses are not making a profit, and they haven't been since July, she said. They need some help or they're going to go out of business. "And you really don't want them to go out of business," she warned. "You really don't, because it will be harder to get that momentum going again."

Capital Kidzwear is on the block of Washington that overlooks Townsend Park, a section of the district that's been known for difficulties with vagrants and graffiti, but these days there's more security and more police support, and that's making it easier to do business here, Waweru said.

More businesses have also come to the area, and that's helping the community reclaim this part of the city. For a long time, many of the surrounding buildings had vacancies, but with the recent addition of Townsend Park Bakery and the new Trustco Bank on the corner, the area is almost fully occupied, and the large office building just down the street at 4 Central Avenue is being renovated to attract new tenants. With just a continued guidance and support, the area can be fully revitalized, she said.

Waweru is full of ideas for revitalizing the area. She believes the Townsend Park area needs better and more consistent signage. Similar signs in an area provide a sense of continuity and security, she said. Business owners could use some help with funding those signs; even $400-$500 in grants for businesses would be a big help, she said.

Waweru also wants businesses to work together to stamp out graffiti. "If you see graffiti, get rid of it," she said. Local businesses don't know that the BID and the city will help them remove graffiti, they think they have to do it themselves, she said.

She also wants more initiatives like Larkfest, to help drum up business. This year, for the first time, Larkfest included the lower part of the Central Business District. The event was "a Godsend," she said, and only wishes there were more events like it. Perhaps businesses could organize sidewalk sales, or another street festival. She also pointed to the themed events that take place in the Empire Plaza Concourse, and said it would be nice if more businesses were invited to participate in these events.

Central Avenue's diversity is valuable, and it should be seen as something positive, she concluded. "People shouldn't be afraid of people who aren't like them coming in and opening businesses. Most people are just the same as you. They're trying to make a buck and raise a family," she said. She urged the community to communicate with these businesses and to open a dialogue with them. They have ideas for initiatives, and input for new businesses, and they can provide guidance for one another, she said.

Neighborhood associations should reach out to business owners as well as residents, she said. The meetings could be a place where local businesses are promoted, and also a forum where residents can ask for goods and services that they need from surrounding businesses, she said.

"There's a lot of good smart people on Central. They're from different places, but that doesn't mean anything," she said. "They should tap them, and ask them questions. They'd be surprised."

Capital Kidzwear is located at 204 Washington Avenue in Albany, 462-2791. www.capitalkidzwear.com The store carries clothing, shoes, and accessories for boys and girls, ages ranging from infant to teen.

NABA Day--by Mayoral Proclamation: NABA Celebrates 100th Anniversary

This year, the Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany is celebrating its diamond anniversary. The non-profit organization has offered services and programs to the blind and vision-impaired in the Capital District for the last 100 years.

Today, Mayor Jerry Jennings celebrated the organization's anniversary with a proclamation, designating the day as NABA Day. The mayor and media crews were on hand to help celebrate the association's accomplishments. The festivities included a speech by the mayor, and punch and cake provided by Crisan Bakery.

Executive Director Chris Burke read congratulatory letters from President George W. Bush, NYS Governor David Paterson, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Jennings also offered his thanks and congratulations, saying Albany is fortunate to have NABA, and to celebrate the "camraderie and friendships" built there over the last 100 years. To show his appreciation, Burke presented the mayor with a safety vest sewn at NABA's manufacturing center. The vest was emblazoned with the word "Mayor."

Afterwards, a tour was taken through the center and the Harry M. Judge Vision Rehabilitation Center, which opened in 2006 to help clients with diminishing vision. Clients with visual impairments are provided with a variety of tools, including magnifying televisions, check registers, talking watches, and canes.

Begun as a program that offered craft workshops and dances, NABA has expanded to a full-scale service organization with a variety of programs and employment. The center provides employment for 95, 45 of whom are legally blind. Many work at the center's industrial sewing facility. There, these men and women manufacture and ship 70,000 safety vests a year, said Brooke Newell, Director of Development for NABA. The industrial sewing operation gives these men and women independence and satisfaction that comes with a job and earning a regular paycheck, she said. NABA currently manufactures uniforms for MTA, and NYS, and hopes to expand operations this year, she said.

The anniversary celebrations also included a gala event and silent auction at the Albany Institute of History and Art on December 4. The show featured the work of the Blind Artist's Society, a collective of 25 artists coping with vision loss. The exhibit was the group's first official show. The event was attended by about 180 guests, and judged very successful, said Newell.

NABA began on December 7, 1908, when 10 blind men and women got together to offer social and workshop activities. The organization was housed at 105 Lancaster Street. To raise money to support the organization and offer employment for the blind, the members began to manufacture goods, a practice that continues today. In 1923, the organization moved to State Street, and then in 1958, moved to their present location at 301 Washington Avenue, across the street from the YMCA.

Today, NABA offers programs that cater to every age group. They provide free vision screening for toddlers, summer training programs for grade school age-children, internship programs for teens, employment training and transition programs to help high school students move into adulthood, vocational counseling for adults, and training for seniors to help them learn to use canes, magnifying glasses and special software.

Honest Weight Solicits Help to Make Dream Store a Reality

Honest Weight Food Co-Op, a member-owned grocery and natural foods store on Central Avenue, is reaching out to the community, and asking for help to build a new store on Watervliet Avenue. The co-op is soliciting $2 million in private loans from shareholders to help make the new dream store a reality.

The co-op would like to raise as much as possible through shareholder loans, so that they can rely less on loans from financial institutions with all their attendant costs. According to the store's facilities committee, other cooperatives have had great success borrowing money from their shareholders.

According to the pamphlet sent to shareholders, loans must be in a minimum of $1,000, and interest on a loan for up to $10,000 will be 1-4% and 1-6% on loans for $10,000 or more.

Currently cramped for space at its location at 484 Central Avenue, the co-op bought a under-utilized, concrete block building at 100 Watervliet Avenue last fall (pictured above), with plans to renovate it. This fall, they announced plans to tear down the old building to build a new more environmentally sustainable Green building on the site, pushing their move-in date to 2010. The co-op hired 3t architects, and have reviewed designs for the new building. Construction is slated to begin in 2009.

As an interim solution to current space constraints, the store has transformed warehouse space into retail space. They spent the fall reorganizing floor plan to allow for more room and smoother flow of traffic. The produce section has expanded into health and beauty, and health and beauty has moved into the new warehouse space. Likewise, the bulk section and dairy have moved into the new space, to allow more space for canned and packaged goods. The new layout is much more appealing overall, and shoppers have more room to perambulate, without worrying about crashing carts with other shoppers. Their newly expanded orgainic cheese/deli department is the best for miles around.

The new store will be over 18,000 square feet, including a deli and bakery, a juice and coffee bar, and a teaching kitchen, and expanded parking facilities. This new construction project is also looking to meet high LEED standards.

Security Supply doubles facilities on Central

Security Supply, a regional heating and plumbing supply business, has doubled the size of their retail space on Central Avenue.

Security Supply purchased the building next door to their location at 475 Central, which was previously owned by PHAC Products, Inc. After knocking down the PHAC building, they built a brand new showroom and office space. The showroom will offer additional space to showcase their tubs, showers and sinks, with large windows right on Central to beckon customers in. Security Supply's old showroom will become a training facility.

Security spent the fall constructing the new building, and is currently completing the interior finishing. Work is expected to be completed this summer.

Security Supply has been in business for 75 years. They have 11 locations in the region.

Mohawk Ambulance garage opens

Construction on the Mohawk Ambulance garage on Central Avenue is complete. Located near the corner of North Main Street, the brand-new facility has room for six ambulances and a training facility on the second floor for continuing education and community CPR courses.

Currently, the three-bay garage runs three ambulances by day, and two by night, and their staff ranges from 4-6 people.

Mohawk is very happy with new garage and the loves the surrounding neighborhood, said Rich Brandt, Vice President for Operations for Mohawk. Brandt said the proximity to Central and 1-90 is particularly convenient. "It's great access for us," he said.

"We've been part of Albany for 22 years, and we're pleased to be able to continue serving the community," Brandt said.  The garage is the second Mohawk facility in Albany. They also have facilities in Troy, Schenectady, and Brunswick.

Dinner is Served! Order your Thanksgiving Dinner ahead

If Thanksgiving has you wringing your hands, rather than giving thanks, think about ordering dinner from one of the many merchants on Central Avenue.

These dinners are pre-cooked and ready to eat, so you won't have to spend the day in the kitchen. They have all the fixings, so your guests will never know the difference. You can order by phone, and then simply stop in to pick yours up.

Pre-made meals eliminate the hassle of cooking, and are especially good for people who are too busy to cook, said Kristen Weckesser, Assistant Manager at Carmine's. But the meal doesn't just save you time...For those people who aren't so hot in the kitchen, this gourmet meal can save you from holiday humiliation. "We can make you look like a superstar," Weckesser said. Carmine's has been making dinners for about four years, and last year they made 100 dinners.

Each year, Hannaford makes about 20 dinners, and they always go quickly, explained a customer service rep. This year there's only about 9 left.

Here's some holiday options for you:
Hannaford, 900 Central Avenue, 438-7296

Turkey Dinner or Ham Dinner, $54.99, serves 6-8 people

10-12 lb. turkey or 7-9 lb. hickory-smoked ham

3 lb. of stuffing or 2 lb. green bean casserole

4 lb. mashed potatoes

2 lb. butternut squash

2 lb. gravy

1 lb. cranberry sauce

12 rolls

8" pie

You can also order just the turkey for $24.99, and make your own side dishes. Place your order now because the dinners are going quickly.

PriceChopper, Westgate Plaza, 911 Central Avenue, 482-0280

Turkey breast or whole turkey dinner, your choice, $69.99. Breast serves 6-7, whole turkey, 7-8 4 lb. mashed potatoes
26 oz. gravy
3-1/2 stuffing
14 oz. cranberry sauce
12 rolls
10" pie
Ham dinner available with potatoes, rolls, and pie for $39.99
Please place your order by November 22.
Carmine's, 818 Central Avenue, 458-8688
Roasted turkey with a madeira gravy
Cranberry, apple and sausage stuffing
Homemade mashed potatoes
Port wine spiced cranberry sauce
Orange glazed candied carrots
Pumpkin butter sweet potatoes
Sweet Buttered corn
Roasted mixed vegetables
Fresh rolls with butter
Fresh baked pie
Serves
4-6 people for $95.00
10-12 for $180
18-20 for $240
Place your orders by November 23 at 8pm, and pick your dinner up anytime on Wednesday November 26. The meals even include a little instruction card for easy finishing.
Now there's no reason not to be thankful.

Gingerbread Fantasies--Annual HATAS fundraiser a building success

A Spanish galleon, a winter market scene, carousels--all made out of gingerbread?

These were just some of the fantastic submissions to this year's HATAS Home Sweet Gingerbread Home event. "There were a lot of imaginative ideas," said Natasha Pernicka, Assistant Executive Director for HATAS. This annual fundraiser for Homeless and Travelers Aid Society (HATAS) brings together corporate teams, community teams and culinary professionals from across the region to construct gingerbread homes. The homes are then auctioned off, and proceeds donated to this social service agency.

This year, the homes, 15 in all, were displayed at Crossgates Mall on November 8, and then sold by silent auction at the Winter Gingerland Evening at the Fort Orange Club on November 13. The Gingerland Evening event, held for the first time this year, was very successful, said Pernicka. Last year, the gingerbread house auction raised $11,000, and this year, HATAS believes the fundraiser made nearly twice that, she said.

HATAS is a mission-based organization dedicated to providing assistance for the homeless and low-income individuals and families. HATAS serves as a central intake point for the Albany County emergency shelter system. HATAS offers emergency services as well as mental health programming, housing, and employment programming, for a truly comprehensive approach to the crisis of homelessness. The funds raised through Home Sweet Gingerbread Home are dedicated to furthering this mission, and raising awareness about homelessness in our community.

Thanksgiving Feat: Equinox feeds thousands at annual feast

Stressed out about planning the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner? Imagine feeding 8,500...

Every year Equinox, Inc. serves dinner to thousands of needy, homeless, and homebound in the Capital Region, a sprawling effort that begins months before the actual meal. The Annual Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner started in 1969 when a group of University at Albany students couldn't travel home for the holidays. The students went to the First Presbyterian Church in Center Square, and cooked up a meal. They has such a good time, they decided to do it again the following year, and Equinox joined in the effort. Today the Thanksgiving meal is an annual tradition, feeding 500 at the church, and delivering an estimated 8,000 meals to shut-ins across the region.

This feat couldn't be accomplished without help from the thousands of people who donate their time, money, and supplies, said Patti Tullgren, Adult Services Coordinator for Equinox.

Just the amount of food Equinox has to pull together is staggering: 8,000 pounds of turkey, 2,000 pounds of ham, 2,800 pounds of yams, 940 pies, 19,500 pieces of fruit. That's just the beginning of the shopping list. Joan Harrington is so excited she hits the red button on her desk. Music blares out, and she and Tullgren do a little cheering. It's been a good day, Harrington explains. With today's donations from a farmer in Schoharie--800 pounds of potatoes and 500 pounds of carrots--Harrington has successfully reached her goal for potatoes and carrots, she says.

Harrington has been volunteering for the event for eight years, soliciting donations from organizations and individuals. The event never ceases to amaze her. "It's such a real picture of this community, and who gets involved and who helps," she said.

It takes a lot of materials to get this dinner off the ground. "It's little things you never even think of," said Tullgren. Volunteers like Harrington coordinate the donations of all the food--from turkeys to cherries--and all the supplies, including hair nets, refrigerated trucks, and to-go containers. Tullgren shows me the basement. It was packed with donated supplies just this morning, she said, before donated moving vans came to truck the boxes over to the plaza this afternoon. Here and there, boxes of pumpkins and gourds wait for the next trip. They'll probably use them to decorate the tables, she explains. Against the wall, there's a box of reusuable grocery bags from a local insurance agency--there was a misprint on the bags, and rather than throw them away, they donated them to the event, she said. These will be used to carry the meals into the home. Here, it seems, everything is put to good use, and nothing is wasted. "You read about all of this doom and gloom in the paper, and some people can't afford to help out this year, but for everyone that drops off, you have someone right behind them willing to lend a hand. It's amazing," said Tullgren.

Once all the food and supplies are in place, the cooking begins. In the week leading up to the dinner, thousands of volunteers swarm the Empire State Plaza after-hours and take over all the kitchens in the Concourse area. Every evening until the wee hours, they show up in shifts to peel potatoes, cook turkeys, and prepare fruit cups. All the cooked meals--some 8,000--are packed and stored in the refrigeration units there--also donated. Meanwhile, preparation is also going on at the church, where volunteers are getting ready to serve a sit-down dinner to another 500. Volunteers set up long tables with linen tableclothes and handmade decorations. "We make sure everyone really feels like they're having a nice sit-down dinner," said Tullgren.

On Thanksgiving Day, hundreds more volunteers show up at the church to serve dinner to the waiting crowds, and thousands more volunteers line up at the plaza to ferry the prepared meals out to shut-ins across the region, taking time out of their holidays to deliver a homecooked meal to the less fortunate.

"It's an amazing outpouring of community," said Tullgren.

Lea Bosquez also mans the phones at Equinox, recruiting volunteers and signing up people to receive meals. On Thanksgiving Day you will find her right here, still manning the phones, just to making sure everyone that signed up gets their meals. Bosquez has been volunteering with Equinox for four years, and says she keeps coming back because it is so rewarding. "People are really thankful," she said. "It comes through in their voices on the phone, and they say, 'Oh, thank you.' or 'God bless you, honey.' You can tell it really means a lot to them."

Dinner will be served at First Presbyterian Church on the corner of State Street and Willett Street in Albany from 1-4pm on Thanksgiving Day, first come, first serve. If you would like to make a donation or volunteer your time, or sign up for a meal, please contact Equinox at 434-0131. Donations can also be dropped off at The Corporate Offices of Equinox @ 95 Central Avenue in Albany. Equinox still needs a number of turkeys and hams to make their meal complete.

SUNY Showcase: Central Avenue comes to the students

Last week, the downtown SUNY Albany campus hosted the second annual SUNY Showcase, welcoming businesses from up and down Central to the Avenue to show their wares.

"The students all need restaurants, laundromats, drycleaning, etc. and they may not know it's available right on Central," said Jerry Parker, Assistant Provost for the University at Albany.

This year marks the second annual showcase, and the atmosphere was fun and festive. Local restaurants offered ice cream and other nibbles, while other businesses offered coupons and discounts. The balloon man provided giant balloon columns, and a cariacature artist sketched excited students, adding to the fair-like feeling.

As an added bonus, the Central BID offered zip drives packed with Central Avenue menus, and links to the BID website, said BID Executive Director Anthony Capece. The drives are a quick, inexpensive way to provide the students with greater access to the Avenue, he said.

The growing alliance between the BID and the SUNY campus is win-win. The students are an untapped market for many local businesses, and the students benefit because the close proximity of so many shops, restaurants, autos an services means they don't have to travel far to get what they need.

SUNY will continue to hold the event, and is even considering making it part of Orientation next year to ramp up attendance, Parker said. "We want to have a greater presence in the surrounding neighborhood and community," Parker said.

Have the Avenue Delivered to your Door--at the click of a button

Ordering lunch for the office? Or maybe you’re planning to place an order for family dinner? Or snacks for the dorm? Wouldn't it be nice if you could just place a food order online? Now you can.

The Central Business Improvement District has partnered with Delivery.com. The new website lets customers order food just like they shop—online. The initiative is part of the ongoing efforts to promote restaurants and other businesses within the district, explained BID Executive Director Anthony Capece at a recent presentation to real Commercial estate brokers. We are trying to be innovators in bringing the internet to main street.

The BID coordinated the involvement of a number of restaurants on Central, and provided a link to the website on this newsletter. Now, customers can "have the avenue delivered" right to their door.

The network of vendors on Delivery.com is still growing, but the website includes access to a number of different restaurants, including Ichiban, Salsa Latina, Gandhi Restaurant, and Aashiana. The website provides a full menu at each restaurant, and customers simply click the dishes they want added to their order. At the end, they pay with a a credit card via a secure server, just as they would online.

It's easy and fast, said Capece. And for those customers who tend to order the same things over again, Delivery.com saves your order, so you just press a button, and the restaurant brings you your usual, he said. Restaurants who are participating say they hope Delivery.com will help them reach out to more people.

Salsa Latina owner Luis Uzhca heard about the website through the BID, and liked the idea. He said he currently gets 2-3 orders a day through Delivery.com, and believes it will pick up, “if we could just advertise it a little more.” He suggests letting promoting the website through local hotels like the Clarion and Motel 6, so that hotel guests can order in.

Aashiana owner Saleem Khan said he hopes the website will raise his profile in the community. Currently, he’s had only two orders placed through Delivery.com. Not everyone knows that his Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurant makes deliveries, and he’s hoping the website will help build his delivery business, he said.

The website also provides access to other categories besides food, including flowers and gifts, and household goods. The BID would eventually like to populate these categories with Central businesses as well, Capece said. If businesses want in they should call us, we make it happen...

New Trustco Bank: See what they have to offer

Last week, Mayor Jerry Jennings marked the grand opening of the new Trustco Bank on Central with a special radio broadcast from the conspicuous building's triage of windows. The spot offers a simultaneous views of Central, Washington Avenue, and Henry Johnson Boulevard, and provides a rare window on the world.


But as nice as the view is, the bank is less interested in looking, and more interested in being seen.



The Trustco branch was located at 163 Central, but wanted a location that would provide more exposure, said Patrick Strahan, Bank Manager. Trustco wanted a location that was "more open" and a spot that people would see going to and from work, he said. Since moving to the new location, with access to three major thoroughfares, "everything's picked up," he said. The bank celebrated its grand re-opening on October 7, and the ribbon-cutting festivities on October 14. The bank offers a full range of services, including checking, savings, CDs, and mortgages, Strahan said.



Trustco Bank is located at 40 Central Avenue.

Igniting the Lights: Meditation Center celebrates Diwali

On a cold, dark night, rows of flickering candles and hanging lights create a path to the Meditation Center on Central Avenue. Inside, men, women and children are joined together in joyful revelry to celebrate Diwali, a major holiday in much of the Indian world. The Thursday night event was marked with dancing, singing, prayers, and meditation. The celebration will extend through the weekend.

Diwali or "The Festival of Lights" is a major Hindu holiday that marks the start of the New Year. The holiday commemorates a number of significant figures and events including Lord Ram's return and coronation, Lakshmi the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, and Lord Mahavira's attainment of Nirvana, making Diwali an important holiday for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jainists alike.

Spiritually, Diwali is the celebration of the "inner light" in all people, said Sister Ann Singh, Coordinator for the Center. This year marks the second celebration at the center, and this year's theme is "Igniting the Light of Spirituality."

"We hope people will leave from here with their own lights, and they will ignite others so that light spreads across the world," Singh said.

The evening began with a spirited talk by Pandit Jai Misir, a priest at a Schenectady temple, and professor at Hudson Valley Community College, who explained the importance of uncovering the light within. He talked of "clearing the fog" and pushing away the distractions that can block us from realizing our true nature. Next, there were Diwali songs sung by Mukesh Bhai, a large family band, and a traditional dance. The night culminated with a candle-lighting ceremony and refreshments.

The Meditation Center is part of the Brahma Kumaris Organization, which seeks to foster peace and non-violence through education and meditation, Singh said. The center offers a number of free programs that focus on discovering the peace that it believes resides within us, in an effort to build a community based on compassion and respect, she said.

Mala Khan, who owns the building where the center is housed, and runs MSK Tax and Accounting Service next door, said she hopes that the celebration, which is open to everyone, will help the larger Albany community become acquainted with this important Indian holiday. Khan, who has been a resident of the Capital Region for the last 20 years said the center is serving an important mission. Khan comes to the center every Thursday to meditate, and it has become her "home away from home," she said.

Sister Colleen, another member of the Brahma Kumaris, said the center has a sense of peace, that you feel as soon as you walk in the door. "It hits you right away," Colleen said. She said that it is her hope that that same sense of peace that pervades the center, will one day fill the world.

The Meditation Center is located at 184 Central Avenue. For more information about their open meditation or programs, please call 438-4180 or visit their website at www.bkswu.org

Art rocks: Local artists complete mural at Central Avenue nightclub

Local artists have painted a massive mural inside the Fuze Box, a Central Avenue hotspot.

"Everything was their canvas so they went to town," said Mike Vinci, General Manager of the Fuze Box. Last month, sculptor and painter Samson Contompasis approached the club about the project, and they thought it was a great idea, Vinci said.

Contompasis and nine other artists spent two weeks at the club, working nights to complete the floor-to-ceiling scenes to the bar-room, stage and loft. Today, winged bottles dance and weave through familiar building-scapes, including the Alfred E. Smith Building, Lark Street's rowhouses, and the long-abandoned downtown refrigeration plant, for a look that is both industrial and whimsical. Here and there, larger figures--a snowy owl, a photograph of a woman, large guns--appear in the landscape, providing texture. The project culminated in an art show at the club on October 1, with smaller pieces done by the artists exhibited on the freshly-painted walls, and sold.

The show was so well-attended that club extended it, participating in Lark Street's First Friday and remaining open through the weekend. News of the show traveled fast, and mostly by word of mouth, and the club was filled through the art appreciators through the Monday. "People just love it," Vinci said.

The club, which has been open for seven years, has done art shows in the past and and hopes to do more, Vinci said. They also plan to continue participating in the First Friday monthly arts crawl.

The Real Deal: A.J. Wright opens new store in Westgate Plaza

A.J. Wright, a national discount clothing store opened a new location in Westgate Plaza. The store held its grand opening on October 16. The festivities began at 9am, with a ribbon-cutting, and the first 100 shoppers received gift cards. Shoppers also tried to be discovered, as part of the "Real Model Search," where they had the opportunity to be photographed in their favorite looks from the store.

A.J. Wright is a division of TJX Companies Inc., the parent company for T.J. Maxx and Marshall's. The new store will offer brand-name apparel and footwear for men, women, and children, as well as a selection of giftware. The store will employ about 50 people. Other A.J. Wright stores are located in Troy and Rotterdam.

New Move: Easy Home added to Hannaford Plaza

Easy Home, a furniture retailer and leasing business, has quietly unpacked and set up shop in Hannaford Plaza.

The store moved into the old CVS drugstore location (now in their new building across the street) on October 4, and personnel say that it's a very strong plaza, and has been very busy so far. The interior has been refitted and couches, washers and dryers stand where drugstore shelves once stood, and computers and flat-screen TVs line the walls.

The Canadian chain offers furniture, appliances, electronics and computers to rent or buy, with many flexible payment plans. Delivery and insurance are available.

Students Return to District: How local businesses can make the most of the growing student population

This area is home to a number of educational institutions, and every fall, students come rushing back to our city, pocketbooks and wallets in hand.

In the Central Business District alone, we have four college campuses including the downtown branches of SUNY Albany and Hudson Valley Community College, which attract thousands of students to the district. This year, Mildred Elley and Austin School opened a brand-new campus in the district, bringing hundreds of additional students to our neighborhood.

There are a number of ways that businesses can make the most of this opportunity and serve the student population.

Hudson Valley's Workforce Development Institute offered these tips for businesses looking to cater to college students:

1. Advertise in college and alternative newspapers. Don’t forget radio advertising on youth-orientated stations, including college radio stations!
2. Identify products/services you offer that fall within the 18-24 demographic and advertise sales/specials for said products/services.
3. Hire on-campus student representatives on a commission basis who can advertise/sell your products.
4. Offer to sponsor on-campus clubs.
5. Contact the student activities board for local colleges and inquire what events are coming up throughout the year that you can help to sponsor. They can also help you identify on-campus clubs and organizations.
6. Get copies of the academic and athletic calendars for the local colleges to plan sales, advertising and promotions around special events.
7. If the company is big enough, consider establishing an internship program with a local college. This will promote closer ties with the college community.

Mildred Elley opens doors to public-Mayor welcomes school to town

School's in! Monday, Mildred Elley and the Austin School of Spa Technology held their grand opening celebration at the new campus on Central Avenue.

Mayor Jerry Jennings and Mildred Elley President Faith Takes cut the ribbon at the tech school's new location at 855 Central Avenue, and ushered in a new era for the school. This marks the return of the school to Albany, and also the merging of the Austin School with the Mildred Elley School. The new facilities will also offer more space and expanded programming.

Jennings said he was pleased to welcome the venerable institution to Albany's Main Street, and said this was where the school belonged. He also thanked Anthony Capece, Executive Director for the Central BID, for all his help making the move possible.

The Central Avenue neighborhood turned out to welcome the new schools and give them a taste of What they can expect from our great restaurants on the Avenue. Shea's Restaurent from North Allen Street and Scenerio's Restaurant from the Clarion Hotel catered the event; serving geat treats from hamburgers and hotdogs to spinach puffs and an Ice Cream sundae bar . Gateway Diner even sponsered a entire table of cookies. Plato's Closet (818 Central; Same Plaza as Hollywood Video &  Carmines) was also on hand to provide students with information about their unique clothing store. Students from the Austin School's new massage therapy program offered the public free hand massages as a thank-you. Radio station Kiss 102.3 was broadcasting from the party, adding to the celebratory feeling of the event.

After the ribbon-cutting, Takes lead Jennings and his staff on a tour of the school, showing them the brand-new classrooms and library, and introducing them to the students and staff. Students in the midst of a hair clinic were evidently surprised and delighted by the drop-in visit, and Jennings seemed to enjoy the opportunity to talk & laugh with them. "Do you want the mayor to finish that?" he asked one student in the middle of a haircut.

Jennings also encouraged the students to enjoy the new facilities, and to take advantage of the city and everything Central Avenue has to offer.

The school is enjoying a healthy boost in admissions this semester, said Maria Neal, Admissions Director. Currently, 500 students are enrolled.

Relics and Restoration: Architectural Parts Warehouse supplies hard-to-find pieces

Looking for a fireplace mantle? An antique light fixture? A cast iron radiator? What about a clawfoot tub? You're sure to find all this and more at the Architectural Parts Warehouse on Lexington Avenue.

"Our mission is to help homeowners restore vintage homes without breaking the bank," said Manager Mark Brogna.

Brogna and his staff salvage the pieces from demolition sites and old buildings, curbs and dumpsters, clean them up, and sell them to architects, interior designers, and do-it-yourselfers. The parts are sold for well below the prices you'll find in antique stores or supply warehouses, and the funds go to support local preservation efforts.

Walking into the warehouse just off Central Avenue on Lexington, which is located in the converted Capitol Staple Building, is like walking into a world of parts. Picture your home. Now picture your home in pieces. All its pieces. Not just doors, but door knobs. Not just windows, but shutters. And don't forget the plumbing--sinks, toilets, tubs, radiators. You'll also find all the pieces of a porch, from balusters to railings, neatly piled along one side.

There's also plenty of treasures, including the Wellington Hotel's copper cornice adorned with lion heads and a 1950's era-General Electric Galley Kitchen, complete with working stove and sink. And the surprises keep coming, Brogna said. "A lot of things that show up, I don't even know what they are," he said. The pieces might have been common in their day, but whatever purpose they served has become obsolete, and now they're simply interesting relics of a bygone era, he said.

As we talk in one of the old offices, piled with interesting artifacts, we are frequently interrupted by customers. One wants to thank thank Brogna for his help renovating a bathroom, another wants to see about an antique light fixture, and still another wants to let Brogna know that if any more pocket doors come in, he wants them. Brogna has worked at the warehouse for seven years, and in that time he has assisted countless customers rehab old houses, he has also helped artists, interior designers, and set designers with their projects. The Architectural Parts Warehouse is just one of three salvage businesses in the area, which puts Albany on the map as a mecca for people restoring their homes, Brogna said.

The warehouse is a program run by the Historic Albany Foundation, which specializes in identifying and protecting Albany's architectural resources. Brogna reminds customers that preservationists are not just stewards of history, they are stewards of the environment. Restoring homes using salvaged pieces is affordable and eco-friendly, because you're keeping these items out of the landfill, and you're not expending any additional manufacturing energy, he said.

"The greenest building is the one that's already built," he said.

Each year, the Historic Albany Foundation sponsors an event called "Built," which celebrates Albany's architecture by soliciting artwork from local artists. Artists are asked to create pieces inspired by Albany's buildings, and these in turn are exhibited and auctioned to raise money for the foundation, Brogna said. Initially, the event was called "Vacancy," and focused on Albany's vacant buildings, but now the event includes all of the city's built environment, he said. The exhibit and auction will take place on November 8 at the Cathedral of All Saints at 62 South Swan Street. For more information, visit the foundation's website http://www.historic-albany.org/built.html

The warehouse is always accepting donated pieces, and is also seeking volunteers to work at the warehouse, Brogna said. So whether you're looking for a hard-to-find fixture, or a new way to help the environment, or a treasure hunt, visit the warehouse and see what they have to offer.

The Architectural Parts is located at 89 Lexington Avenue, just off Central Avenue. For more information, call 465-2987.

National Business Equipment & Supply: New President Brings Know-How to New Acquisition

As a partner at ProSource in Cincinnati, Scott Mueller helped his business go from $9 million to $29 million, in just seven short years. Now, the Guilderland-native is going to do the same thing, right here in Albany.

This June, Mueller purchased National Business Equipment & Supply, and he plans to take this business machine company right to the top.

"I did it in Cincinnati. The only difference is now I'm going to do it right here in my hometown," Mueller said.

Mueller purchased the business machine side of the business from National Graphic Supply, a national corporation that markets products including printing supplies. The new business will specialize in multifunctional processors that copy, print, scan and fax, and will be the only locally-owned and operated business equipment supply company in the City of Albany.

Other major competitors are located in Philadelphia, Miami, and Cleveland and that gives Mueller's business the edge when it comes to serving Capital Region customers, he said. "We can get to our customers quicker," he said.

The new company is also undergoing a radical remodeling project, adding a new showroom and the very latest in technology and software. "We feel that we'll be better able to serve our customers with these state of the art facilities," Mueller said.

Mueller was attracted to the company because of its strong tradition, and it's talented staff, he said. National Business Equipment & Supply will build on that solid foundation. "The thing that makes us a great company is that we have state of the art products and we complete the package with great service and support," he said.

Eventually, Mueller plans to expand the Bradford Street offices, which encompass about 60,000 square feet and hire additional employees. Mueller hopes to grow his current staff of 20 to well over 100, and the company is currently hiring for several positions in sales, service, and administration.

Mueller also wants the company to be community-oriented, and plans to be very active in local business and community organizations. NBES wants to support local schools and the city. "Our vision is for a strong regional organization that will show a presence in upstate New York, Connecticut, Vermont and Massachusetts," he said.

Mueller is no stranger to this kind of success. He has been working in the Business Systems Industry for 20 years, 11 of which he's owned a business. During his time with ProSource, his company was awarded National Dealer of the Year, Top National Sales Program, Major Account and Software Solutions Dealer of the Year. At his Cincinnati company, he employed 140, and places a high premium on honesty and integrity. His philosophy has always been strong customer service, and he understands that this is the key to a company's long-term goals. "We recognize that our future is dependent on the success of our customers, and we understand that we need to respond to their needs with a sense of urgency," he said.

National Business Equipment & Supply is located at 505 Bradford Street in Albany. For more information, call 724-6455 or visit their website at www.nationalbes.com.

Townsend Park Bakery Open for Business: Bread Speaks for Itself

For the first week, Mark Smith didn't have an "Open" sign for his new Townsend Park Bakery, so did the next best thing--he put a basket of his bread in the windows. "And the next thing you know, people started showing up," he said with a laugh.

No doubt about it, the organic sourdough loaves are appealing. Smith makes the bread on premises in a large wood-fired brick oven, and the large loaves are golden and crusty.

The fire in the brand-new Helderberg bluestone oven burns brightly, and warms the already cozy interior. Anyone who knows Smith, knows he is adept at designing warm, inviting spaces. He formerly owned the Antica Enoteca on Lark Street, better known to its customers as simply, "the Wine Bar," a popular basement-level restaurant retrofitted with European-style brick walls and fireplaces.

The inspiration for the new bakery came from his travels in Italy. He wanted a bakery that felt warm and relaxing, like the cafes he visited in Rome, he said. And the big draw? Great bread.

"Let's face it, bread in the states can be pretty awful," he said.

He tried to work on the new bakery alongside operating the wine bar, but eventually decided to sell the wine bar, and concentrate his efforts on the new enterprise. He doesn't regret giving up the old business, "For every moment I miss it, there's two that I don't," he said.

The new bakery will serve gourmet pizza alongside the organic loaves, and Smith is seeking a beer and wine license, too. The restaurant is comprised of two giant rooms, both of which overlook the bread oven. On another wall, he has constructed a community bulletin board, using 5,000 corks. There are already two notices posted, and Smith said he wants to put more up. He envisions the restaurant as a hive of community activity, he said.

Townsend Park Bakery is located at 238 Washington Avenue, across from Townsend Park.

Larkfest Good for Business in district

This year's Larkfest was a success for
Central District businesses.

For the first time, the end of summer music festival extended up Washington Avenue, along the Townsend Park, giving nearby businesses the chance to participate--a chance they welcomed. Next year, they say, they'll have a better idea of what to expect and how to capitalize on the opportunity.


Viverth Peart, owner of the Golden Choice, a Caribbean Restaurant, said the festival has great potential, and next year he'll be even better prepared for it. Next year, he'll make arrangements in advance with his regular customers to help get them here. He also wants to run a sound system outside, and play some West Indian music, which he thinks will be a draw to the restaurant.


In the middle of the day, crowds ambled down the tree-lined street, enjoying the music and taking advantage of the park's benches as the smell of Indian food from Shalimar's outdoor stand wafted through the air. It was busy, but not as crowded as Lark Street, and people seemed to be glad to get around the corner and escape from the crowds a little. "We have now seen how this can work for our businesses and we will be gathering feedback and adding new ideas to grow the new area next year", said Anthony Capece Central BID Executive Director.


Mark Smith said Larkfest represented a great opportunity for his new business, Townsend Park Bakery Cafe. "It's exposure, and that's ultimately what it's all about," he said. He welcomed customers into his new bakery day, he said.


On the new Townsend Park Stage, Cirque de la Nocturne wowed crowds with their mix of dance and gymnastics, and Taina Asili y La Bande Rebelde got everyone moving with their high-energy Latin music.


"We did good business," said Betty Smith, Owner of Chase Boutique, a clothing and jewelry store in the district. The stage at the end of the block brought crowds down the street, and that had a positive impact, she said. She only wished the music on the stage had lasted a little longer, explaining that as soon as the stage was broken down at 4, the crowds migrated back to Lark Street. "Next year, we need to have more participation," she said.

Green Grocery: Honest Weight Food Co-Op Builds New, Green Building

The Honest Weight Food Co-Op has decided to tear down the Watervliet Avenue building they bought last year in order to build a new, greener store.

Lowering the store's carbon footprint is part of the store's overall mission of ecological sustainability, said Nate Horwitz, Membership Coordinator. "We see helping the environment as a very important part of what we do," he said. The co-op is seeking the highest LEED-certification, he said.

The Central Avenue grocery store was feeling cramped in its current building, located behind Dollar General. Last year, they bought a much larger $1.35 building on Watervliet Avenue, with plans to remodel it and move in as early as 2009. But remodeling the building would cost almost as much as building new, so members decided it would be better to start fresh, and build a greener, more efficient structure on the new property. That will push the move-in date out to 2010, said Horwitz.

The new $5 million building will be three-times larger than the current store, and will boast a full service deli, a larger community space and cafe, expanded office space, and a teaching kitchen that will offer cooking classes. "That's something people have really wanted from us for a long time--cooking classes," Horwitz said.

The new store will also be easier to navigate and offer more parking for customers, he said. It could also feature facilities for cyclists, he said.

Members will vote on design plans for the new store next month, on October 19th.

The co-op has 5,400 members, and many more shoppers who are not members. Members enjoy many benefits, including free classes and voting privileges. Members can also work at the store in exchange for discounts on groceries.

Last year the co-op did an $10 million in sales. The store offers a wide range of local and organic produce, dairy products, and free-range and grass-fed meat, as well as bulk goods and organic groceries. The store also features an award-winning cheese department.

The co-op has been at the current location on Central Avenue behind the Dollar General Store for 12 years.

Students Tour New Mildred Elley School on Central

This school year, Mildred Elley Admissions Director Maria Neal greeted new students with some unlikely school supplies: hard hats.

Students from Mildred Elley and Austin School of Spa Technology donned yellow hard hats to tour the school's new facilities and get a first look at the brand-new space on Central Avenue. Construction crews still worked around the tours, moving through and adding finishing touches to the brand-new classrooms, labs, library, and student lounges.

Mildred Elley and Austin will merge in the newly-renovated building at 855 Central Avenue, where the beauty school will be housed on the first floor, and the Mildred Elley classrooms and common areas will be located upstairs. The new school will offer three times more space than the old school, with more room for programs like barbering, nail tech, business, medical assisting, hospitality and the new additions like the LPN program, Neal said.

Students will also enjoy a more campus-like atmosphere in the new space, where the common areas like student lounges, computer labs, and the bookstore will encourage students to mingle and relax. The new facilities are "more collegic feeling," Neal said.

Students who have visited are "pumped" to see the new space, and they're already looking forward to opportunities for cross-training, she said. Austin students can take business classes upstairs, and Mildred Elley students can explore new career options downstairs, she said.

Mildred Elley offered students goody bags with coupons from a number of local businesses including Carmine's, Gateway Diner, Rosen's Uniforms, Hoffman's Car Wash, Geico, and Bruegger's Bagels.

Austin students will begin classes September 8, and Mildred Elley students will return to school on September 15.

Historic Office Space: Carrow rehabs 4 Central for leasing

Today, Carrow Real Estate Services announced their plan to rehab the $1.95 million commercial property at 4 Central Avenue in hopes of securing new tenants for the building.

Carrow took over ownership of the four-story building in the spring, and is currently looking for tenants to occupy 40,000 square feet of vacant space, said Rudy Lynch, Carrow Leasing and Sales Consultant. The building has four existing tenants that are renegotiating their leases with plans to stay on, he said.

Ideally, Carrow would secure one large office tenant for the space, Lynch said.

Carrow will embark on a complete gut and rehab inside, much like the nearby 855 Central project, Lynch said. "Hopefully, we can clean that up," he said. Carrow is currently soliciting bids for interior demolition.

4 Central is a beautiful old building with lots of character that you can't find in newer construction, Lynch said. The fourth floor features exposed beams, an open floor plan, and great views. Crews will restore the historic building, preserving its best features, and cleaning up some of the spots that have begun to show wear.

For additional information about the property, please contact Rudy Lynch, 518-462.7491.

Larkfest Turns Corner: Street festival includes Central Avenue

This year's Larkfest 2008, the popular one-day festival that takes place on Lark Street in Center Square, will be expanded this year to include a section of Central and Washington Avenues.


The Central BID and the Lark BID have partnered together to add the Townsend Park triangle to the outdoor festival, which will bring increased exposure and opportunities to Central Avenue businesses.

"It's something we've thought about for a while," said Anthony Capece, Executive Director for the Central BID. "The CBID is always looking for ways to improve Townsend Park to the benefit of everyone in that area", he said. "The BID met with the Lark Street BID leadership about expanding Larkfest, and they liked the idea", he said. "We are gald to help play a part of their very succesful event". "We (Lark & Central BID) enjoy a great relationship and certainly have shared interests in the improvement of both blocks.


"It was a way to get businesses, who really are a part of this neighborhood, involved," said Mary Spinelli, Director of Operations for the Lark BID.

The annual festival is summer's last hurrah, with live music and food vendors lining the sidewalks and crowds rocking the street. It is one of the largest in the Northeast, and welcomes between 60,000-80,000 visitors annually.


The Central BID is encouraging Central Avenue businesses to participate in the event, and trying to guide them on how to take advantage of the event's heavy foot traffic, Capece said.

"I'm really thrilled to have it come around the corner and up the block," said Susan Taylor, Manager of the Great Finds store at 250 Washington, which will be open for the festival. "It's a nod toward being part of the community."


Larkfest offers a number of different entertainments for visitors. There's a family zone on Hudson Street that includes activities for the kids, a hometown stage which focuses exclusively on local offerings including Knotworking, Christo Lewis, and Jazzhands as well as local fashion show, Discard Avant Garb. Radio station powerhouse WEQX sponsors acts on the two main stages including Tom Morello "The Nightwatchman," Eric Hutchinson, and the Sense Offenders.


This year, because of the expansion the event will add a fifth stage in Townsend Park, which should bring visitors around the corner to Central Avenue. The new stage will feature fantastic feats by Cirque de la Nocturne, and more local music.

"The more we can bring people together, the more we can improve the city, and not just the individual districts," said Spinelli.

Larkfest will take place along Lark Street, Central Avenue and Washington Avenue on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 10am-5:30pm.

Watkins Spring--100 years of work, horse shoes to auto service

Congratulations on 100 Years.

Watkins Spring Company Inc. has been tending to your transportation since the 1890's when the crew was fixing horse shoes. Today, the business tends less to equine and more to align, offering front end service as well as springs and brakes for both cars and trucks. This year, Watkins celebrates 100 years in business--at the same location on Central, and even though the business has expanded over the years, the original blacksmith shop that started it all remains open and working.

The garage and parts store has built out in both directions from the original blacksmith shop, and it would take someone with know-how to lead you through the maze of garages that sit headquartered at 368 Central. Luckily, second-generation owner, Thomas Kingston has agreed to lead me through and tell me about his family's landmark business.

Watkins Spring Company was run by the Watkins family from 1908 until the early 1950s. Then, Owen Watkins, son of the founder, went into business with Samuel Kingston, Kingston's father. Samuel ran the business until his death in 1975. His son, Kingston has run the business since then.

"I never wanted to do anything else," he tells me of his decision to go into the family business.
Kingston grew up in these garages, and pedaled his bike up and down the Avenue to retrieve parts for his father and the other mechanics in the shop. In those days, Watkins Spring was in the center of Albany's automobile corridor, with dealerships and garages located on every block. Kingston recites the names that have all disappeared or moved away, DeNooyer Chevrolet, Windows Pontiac, and the list goes on. Today, Kingston said, many of those dealerships have closed or moved further up Central, but his shop is still going strong, doing as many as 20 alignments a day and working with many well-known entities including the City of Albany, Rotterdam, Halfmoon, Colonie Central School District, University at Albany, and the New York State Police.

Kingston's customers are loyal, and much of the business is word-of-mouth, he said. "We try to specialize in just a few things and really do them right," Kingston said.

Kingston leads me through his business with evident pride. The shop was at a busy hum, with mechanics moving trucks in and out of the alley behind the shop, and scrambling down into galleys beneath the cars. In the blacksmith shop, a mechanic is hard at work at ancient equipment. The shop doesn't manufacture as many parts anymore, but they do some, mostly for antique cars and trucks, Kingston said. Past the blacksmith shop is a storage area filled with springs. Watkins Spring caters to every kind of vehicle, from school buses to Cadillacs. The springs look like skis, varying in length and thickness and stacked sideways in racks. Kingston pulls a thick wedge of metal forward. It looks more like a fender than a spring. This is for a bigger rig, he says, something like a garbage truck. While further down the line, there are more delicate springs--delicate by comparison, that is. These are for smaller vehicles, he says, like jeeps.

Past the spring storage room, is another storage room, then the parts shop, then we emerge on Central half a block away from where we entered. Watkins extends from 368-372 Central, skirting the VFW. Parking lots abut the shop at each end.

We return to the front reception area, where Kingston's daughter Reagan runs the office, but on the way, we make a stop at the mural that's become a city landmark. The two-story bear has decorated the side of the VFW for 50 years, Kingston said, and has become a point of reference for people. "They say, 'Oh, by the bear?'" The smiling grizzly was part of a logo for Bear Alignment, a top-rate alignment system in the 1950s, and Kingston's father had the mural painting on the building to show that they used their products. The brand is now defunct, but the bear remains in its place of honor, greeting customers for the last half-century.

Back in the reception area, surrounded by historic photographs of Central Avenue, Kingston considered the business's longevity. The key to the business's long-term success is customer care, he said. "We got people who know what they're doing and they do it well." Kingston stresses that he also takes good care of his 16 employees, many of whom have been there for 20 years or more and have built a rapport with customers--and cars.

"They might forget the customers' name, but they remember what kind of car they drive," Reagan said. This makes customers feel comfortable with them. "Customers like to see the same faces," she said.

Francis Walter has been bringing his vehicles to Watkins Spring for 28 years. "I am absolutely confident in the work they go and the fairness of the price," he said. "They can handle any vehicle, and they know me. That's a nice added benefit."

The Central Avenue spot remains a good location for the business, he said, but parking remains an issue. Right now, vehicles waiting for repair are parked in the alley behind the shop, but sometimes the business is pressed for space, he said. Kingston wants to talk with surrounding businesses about how to negotiate the crunch.

Overall, Kingston is confident that the business will stick around for a long time to come. "We want to continue to grow," he said. Someday, he plans to pass the business on to one of his children or grandchildren, but he refuses to speculate too much about what the future holds, allowing that he's got plenty of time to decide. "That's some years away."

For now, Kingston plans to keep doing what he's been doing since he was a kid--fixing vehicles. Kingston puts in 14 hour days at this garage, cramming two lifetimes of work into these 10 bays, and he's still going strong.

"I still enjoy it," Kingston said.

Saso's teaches the art of sushi

Making your own sushi is fun--and messy. At least that's what the beginners who joined Saso's make-your-own sushi lunch program are discovering.

Saso's Japanese Noodle House is teaching customers to make their own lunches this summer, and when students walk into class the first thing they want to know is why there's plastic spread across the floor, said Kathleen Saso, co-owner of the restaurant. "I say, 'Oh, you'll see,'" Saso says. These sushi-novices quickly learn the ropes, but not without some initial spills.

The first class, offered on the last weekend of July was well-attended, and students said they had a great time, Saso said. They began by mixing vinegar and adding it to the sushi rice to make it sticky. They also learn to slice cucumbers and other ingredients, and to construct and shape the fragile rolls with a bamboo mat, Saso said. Each student works with their own recipe, and the class fee covers instruction, the cost for ingredients, and a bamboo mat that each student can take home--not to mention lunch. "At the end, the students get to eat what they've made," Saso said.

The class is taught by Yasuo Saso, the restaurant's sushi chef and co-owner, who has been in the restaurant business for 30 years. Kathleen Saso said her sushi chef husband has a great deal of experience and makes sushi-making look much easier than it is. It's only when the students get to work that they realize the skill and talent that goes into it. "They say, 'You don't have to worry about losing us as customers,'" Saso said with a laugh.

Saso's has been a fixture on Central Avenue for 12 years. Business is always slower in the summer, and the Sasos hope these courses will reach some new customers, Saso said. The restaurant also offers private group lessons, she said.

Saso's is located at 218 Central Avenue. The next classes are being offered August 9 and August 23 from 11:30am-1:30pm. The cost of the class is $50. To register, please call 436-7789. Saso's is open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner beginning at 5pm.

Road construction reaches halfway point

The ongoing road construction project on Central Avenue has reached the halfway point, reports Deidre Rudolph, City Engineer. The $13 million road rehabilitation project that extends from King Road to the city line began last fall, and the city plans to wrap up by late spring or early summer of next year, Rudolph said. The project also encompasses parts of Everett Road.

The ambitious project includes repaving the roadway, adding new sidewalks and curbs, and installing new signage and drainage, Rudolph said.

In addition to making the road smoother and easier to navigate, the project will also make the area much more pedestrian-friendly. The new sidewalks will make it easier for walkers to get to and from the many shopping centers and other businesses in the area, and link adjacent neighborhoods to the Avenue. So far, crews have put in sidewalks on the south side of the street, and are currently working on the north side. These wide walkways with fresh curbs are appealing and make the area much more approachable. The work has gone pretty smoothly, and local businesses have been very supportive, Rudolph said.

Planning Bus Rapid Transit for the Capital District

Welcome to the fifth newsletter for the Capital District Transportation Authority NY5 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. CDTA is moving forward with BRT service on the NY5 corridor. This newsletter keeps you informed about CDTA’s plans for the new service, including opportunities to be involved and provide input. Federal Transit Administration Approves Stations Environmental Documentation CDTA received notification in June that the FTA has approved the environmental documentation for the station stops. Achievement of this milestone clears the way for final design and the beginning of construction!
Major Contract Awards -- July 2008

· Stations Advance to Final Design Creighton Manning Engineers, LLP will lead a team of design professionals in preparing final design documents. Stations will be built in groups, coordinated with road construction, and will integrate “green” solar powered trash compactors, efficient lighting and climate-sensitive design. There is a big technology focus, as well, with ticket vending machines, security cameras, and next bus arrival time signs. Keep your eyes open for the first signs “on the street”!
· Signal Upgrades and Queue Jump Lanes Working with NYSDOT and the municipalities on the corridor, three components of improving the NY5 roadway to accommodate better service are being advanced. Signal priority for buses, coupled with lanes that allow buses to jump traffic queues at major intersections will dramatically improve the reliability and speed of corridor bus service. The third road design element that will insure the success of the project in the long run is corridor access management for service roads, consolidated driveways, and site design with good pedestrian connections. Site Work for Stations Incorporated in Roadwork Projects A cooperative agreement with the City of Albany to construct foundational site work, such as sidewalk, crosswalk improvements and utility conduits, for station sites from the City line east to Quail has been reached. This work will be accomplished as part of the road construction now underway. NYSDOT has incorporated changes to bus turn outs from the Albany City line to New Karner Road and a center median at Colonie Center/Northway Mall into their road construction project.

More Progress
· Clean-fuel Hybrid Vehicles Delivered to CDTA! Six new vehicles for the corridor add to the six deployed last year. They are already rolling in service. Check them out!
· Improvements to the #55 Schedule coming Fall 2008. Schedule changes to improve reliability and balance loads are in the planning stages. The corridor topped 3 MILLION riders last year, and continues to grow.
· Looking for More Shared-Use Park and Ride lots CDTA is actively seeking additional shared-use park and ride lots in the corridor. If your business, church, or agency has surplus parking capacity – let us know!
· Solar Central The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) awarded a joint funding application from CDTA and the Central Avenue Business Improvement District to make all the Central Avenue bus stops in the C-BID solar-powered!
Be Involved and Stay Informed

If you would like more information, contact Kristina Younger at CDTA (518-437-6582) or kristina@cdta.org.
Images above:

Colonie Center Station – looking west – artist rendering
Stueben South – west view, artist rendering