No Spring Break? A guy can dream, can't he?

Voices From Around the Avenue





Students are getting ready to enjoy Spring Break. If you had a Spring Break, what would you do?




"I'd go to where it's hot, where there's a beach and water because I hate the cold."
--Barry Portanova, Clerk, U.S. Postal Service



"Myself, I would probably just do some work around the house, but my choice would be to go back to Cancun. We just got back in February. I'd do some snorkeling. My wife was terrified, and so that was pretty funny."
--Jerry Jones, Service Center Manager, Valvoline











"Florida. I'm going to party."
--Kenny Buckman, Supervisor, Hoffman's Car Wash












"Take a trip. I have no idea where I'd go, just get out of town."
--Rich Wyckoff, Manager, Family Dollar

Put Your Dukes Up: Boxing Club continues to train champions

Tamar Williams goes to the Albany Boxing Club every day. The 13-year-old, 80-pound, Myers Middle School student spends a couple of hours training before he gets on the city bus and goes to his job at a clothing store in Latham. He likes boxing, and he likes going on trips to compete in other cities. This weekend, he went to Plattsburgh to compete. "It's fun," he said. "You get to hit people without getting in trouble."

Located just off Central Avenue on Quail Street, the Albany Boxing Club is a city run recreation center with a focus on boxing. The afterschool program at the center is free, and draws in a big crowd. The kids, age 12-16, learn the basics of boxing, but they also learn more important lessons, said Head Coach Jerrick Jones. They learn to listen, to respect one another and themselves, and perhaps most importantly, they learn leadership skills, he said.

The afterschool program runs five days a week from 3-5:30pm. Kids train and work in the ring. Adults are also welcome at the club, which has a full gym and fitness machines. On the weekends, the club hosts sparring matches and shuttles kids to competitions.

Kimdo Bethel, 22, works with the kids also. He is a professional boxer who served as an alternate for the Olympic team. He was ranked number 3 in the country. He started out at this very club, eight years ago, and he's glad to have an opportunity to give back to the community in this way. "I'm trying to help them, to show them what boxing can do for you. It can take you all over the world. You meet a lot of different people, famous people," he said. "You can do it."

Local entrepreneurs help bring Chinatown to Albany

The neighborhood watched the construction project at 303 Central Avenue with much anticipation. When the green tile pagoda and gold Chinese characters were added, everyone speculated about what the building would contain. A Chinese restaurant? An Asian store? Surprise! It's all that and more!


A Matthew Nhan and Jenny Liu-Nhan bought and refurbished a large brick building at 303 Central Avenue with the plan of leasing the eight spaces inside to Asian specialty businesses. With so many Asian-owned businesses already in the area, the couple hopes the China Road Plaza will be a "focal point," Liu-Nhan said, and will in turn spur the growth of a small Chinatown on the busy corridor through Albany.



The couple wants to provide a shopping district, with lots of stores and restaurants within walking distance of one another, much like Saratoga or Chinatown in Manhattan. "We want people to be able to walk around and enjoy themselves," Liu-Nhan said.


The shopping plaza measures roughly 8,000 square feet, and is has spots for as many as 15 vendors, although the couple is considering reducing that figure to make space for a restaurant. They have received over 30 applications for the spaces, and are now in the process of selecting which businesses they will lease to. The focus is on providing as much variety and range as possible, Liu-Nhan said. They want the plaza to be home to a variety of stores, a restaurant, and perhaps even service stores, like a travel agency or Eastern Medicine practice, she said.



Liu-Nhan said the couple wants this project has something for everyone, and the couple wants everyone to join them to make it a success.


Other Asian businesses in the area, including restaurants and grocery stores, also hope to benefit from the new business.


There are several Chinese restaurants on Central Avenue, including the recently opened CCK restaurant next door. Owner Yu Zhen Tan said she is excited about the Nhans' business venture, and hopes that the stores will bring more people to the area--and to her restaurant. "A lot of people don't know, you know, " Zhen Tan said.

Hopes for the Year Ahead--Business owners and employees share their plans for the new year

My hope is:

“I guess, for business overall, it would be to grow and build clientele. Personally, my resolution is to ‘do the right thing,’ in quotes. We have this hoody that says ‘do the right thing’…It’s like our new campaign.”

—Margaret Partyka, General Manager and Buyer for Some Girls Boutique, Colvin Avenue, photographed here with Tina Simeone. In addition to displaying the hoody prominently in the store, the staff at Some Girls is also trying to promote their clothing through fashion shows, help set up fashion events, and donate to local charities, including the recent house fire on Madison Avenue. Partyka says the motto even extends to her health and relationships, explaining that she’s trying to eat better, exercise more and be a better friend.



“To at least create two more jobs in the community, and to expand the business.”

—Kareem Jones, Partner, KJ’s Restaurant.

Jones and his partner John Feeney have been in business for 10 months, and they report that things are going well.


“It sounds corny, but that business would be even better in regards to service and customer satisfaction than last year. To be up-to-date on products and to provide what our customers need. Personally, I would like to continue to learn more and be available to customers to meet their needs for optimal health.”

—Wendy King, co-owner Dean’s Natural Foods, Westgate Plaza








“My New Year’s Resolution was to quit smoking and I’ve done it….I did it for my family and myself. I’m not getting any younger, I’ll be 51 this year.”

—Roger Palmatier, Tattoo artist, Spaulding Tattoo


“I always have hopes for the business. I would like to see more traffic on the avenue. We need more diversity in businesses. We need a grocery store. That would really be nice, someplace where families could shop.”

—Bram Pock, Owner, Blue Note Record Shop