Play It Again, Karim: Casablanca Moroccan Restaurant Delights

Central Avenue has long been a destination for international cuisine. Worldly palates come uptown to taste the very best in Asian and Middle Eastern foods, and with the addition of Casablance Moroccan Restaurant, they can add one more stop to their dining itinerary.

Casablanca is located in a small space off Townsend Park, on the same block as already well-known restaurants like Shalimar, Gandhi and Aashiana. Its owners have worked hard to upscale the space, using Moroccan lamps, statues, weavings, and boldly striped fabrics to make it a little oasis from the hustle and bustle of Central.

I had never eaten Moroccan food before, so the menu was a completely fresh experience for my tastebuds. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a range of dishes that include items from the grill, appetizers, salads, soups, tajines , and couscous. At the chef's suggestion, my dining companion and I split a salad sampler, which provided a more than ample taste of four salads: smoky zalook with eggplant, bell peppers and tomatoes; cherifiya, a fresh-tasting mix of red peppers, tomatoes, lemon and cilantro; potato salad, which bears little resemblance to the mayonnaise-based conconction we swear by in this country; and a beet salad, served cold and finished with a dash of orange blossom water. Karim, the restaurant's chef and our dining tour guide also introduced us to loubia, white beans cooked in a spicy sauce and served with homemade bread.

For the main course, we ordered a vegetable tajine and a vegetable couscous. Casablanca is extremely friendly to vegetarians, because they go out of their way to provide detailed preparation instructions for each dish. They also do not mix meat and vegetables during cooking, so you can be sure the dish you order is truly vegetarian.

The tajine was a mix of seasonal vegetables served in a light sauce, flavored with olives and served with rice sweetened by candied apricots. But the couscous was the real show stopper. Karim warned us that Moroccan couscous is not the instant dish served in this country. In Morocco, cooking couscous is an all-day affair, and uses three separate steaming procedures. The dish we enjoyed had a completely different texture from the boxes of couscous sold at the supermarket, and a buttery, smoky flavor that you can't find in the grocery store. The dish was topped with zucchini, carrots, squash, turnips cabbage, onions, and roasted chick peas. After lunch we split a pot of sweet Moroccan mint tea and baklawa and basabousa, a semolina cake sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, and listened to Karim's story about his windy way to restauranteurship.

With its affordable menu (meal for two came to $25) and friendly owners, Casablanca should be your next dining destination. It promises to be a wake-up call to your palate.

Casablanca is located at 14 Central Avenue. For more information, please call the restaurant at (518) 463-1111.

Mayor's Drop-Off Day Promises to be most successful yet

This week, Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings announced plans to hold a local Drop-Off Day, where city residents can donate winter coats and clothing for city children.

Part of the National "Make a Difference Day," the drop off day initiative is in its fourth year, and promises to be the most successful yet, said Bob Van Amburgh, Executive Assistant to the Mayor. The event's new location and exciting attractions will really draw people in. "As people are riding by they're going to see this and say what's going on?" Van Amburgh said.

This year, the event will take place in the Hannaford Shopping Plaza on Central Avenue this Saturday, October 24. The mayor has invited the New York State Police Dive Team, who will be demonstrating their skills with a large dive tank. Radio station 99.5 The River will be broadcasting live from the site, and the Albany Fire Department will also be on location.

In previous years the event was held at Washington Park. This year, the Mayor's office reached out to the Central BID for help in finding a new location. The new location at the shopping plaza will be more visible and provides enough room to create a "curiosity factor," Van Amburgh said.

"We're extremely pleased with the new location," Van Amburgh said.

Anthony Capece, Executive Director for the Central BID, is pleased that the event is taking place in the district, and said he hopes businesses and residents will turn out to attend. "The event helps kids who can't necessarily afford a new jacket or winter gear, and there are quite a new in this neighborhood," said Capece.

People can participate by donating new and gently-used winterwear, or by donating cash to help purchase winterwear. Lodge's department store has discounted their stock of coats to $16.00 and slashed prices on the rest of their winter merchandise, "so for $20, you can really outfit a kid," said Van Amburgh. All proceeds will be used to purchase winter gear to help keep city residents warm this year. All participants will also be entered in a raffle to win a donated 32-inch flat screen T.V.

The mayor's office hopes the event will be gather up to 5,000 items for kids this year.

New York State Writers Institute Kicks Off Star-Studded Season

Friday night, the New York State Writers' Institute inaugurated its 25th anniversary season with Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman at the downtown campus's packed Page Hall.

Krugman, the author of several bestsellers and columnist for The New York Times spoke about the country's current financial crisis, and answered questions about U.S. financial policy, international trade theory, and the country's economic history. Krugman, who recently had dinner with the President and several other renowned economists, admitted that the current crisis is dire indeed, but said he believes that with additional stimulus and careful allocation of funds, the U.S. can steer its way out of these problems.

The short talk on the current recession concluded with an extended Q & A period, which Krugman explained is always the "most interesting" part of these events. Krugman spoke frankly and humorously to a packed auditorium. He punctuated his entertaining and enlightening discussion with frequent quips and ribbings, proving that even genius economists have a sense of humor.

Page Hall's 900-seat auditorium was filled to capacity. In fact, the program was so well-attended that many people were turned away at the door, said Program Director Donald Faulkner. With a roster that includes award-winning authors, historians, and politicians, this season's series of programs promises to be a series of turn-away events.

This fall, the New York State Writers Institute is celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season. The program was signed into law in 1984 by then-state governor Mario Cuomo, and November 16, Cuomo will make a special appearance to help commemorate the legislation. The season looks to be a truly remarkable one, with a line-up that includes Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Lorrie Moore, Richard Russo, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Russell Banks, and Don DeLillo.

Since the program started, it has hosted over 1,000 writers and screened 400 films. Events take place at the uptown and downtown campuses of the University at Albany. For more information about these events, please visit the website at www.albany.edu/writers-inst

Magic Hands: Mildred Elley Offers Discount Massages

This fall, let Mildred Elley get their hands on you.

Students from Mildred Elley's Massage Therapy program will be providing massages to the public as part of their training. Clients can choose from a number of styles for their 50-minute massages, including Swedish, hot stone, and pregnancy massages. The massages cost just $30, with a $10 discount for seniors.

The massage clinic takes place in the state-of-the-art spa at the school's recently renovated building at 855 Central Avenue. Arriving clients check in with the receptionist and complete paperwork, and then conduct a brief interview with their massage therapist. After that, they are taken to a semi-private area to undress and get on the table. Massages take place in relative silence with some relaxing music. Clients can indicate whether the pressure is appropriate.

"The massage clinic is important to the students training because it give them the opportunity to have a real life experience," said Belinda Green, Massage Clinic Coordinator. "They have the opportunity at this point in the program to work on the public, which allows them to encounter different pathologies." Students will work with clients with a range of conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, sciatica, as well as more everyday problems like muscle discomfort and stress, she said.

"The students also learn how to educate the public on the health benefits of massage therapy," Green said. "It's important to take time for you."

Mildred Elley also offers a full menu of spa services including haircuts, haircolor, manicures, and pedicures, all done by students and all at cut rates. The school uses high-end Redken products for their clients.

The fall massage clinic schedule:

September 21-November 13, 2009
Tuesday & Thursday
12pm to 4:30pm

Monday & Wednesday
5:30pm to 9pm

October 9-November 22, 2009
Saturday & Sunday
10:30am-2:30pm

Mildred Elley is located at 855 Central Avenue, Albany. For more information, please contact the school at 786-0855.

Central celebrates last farmers' market of the season

Recently customers strolled through the brisk open-air Central Avenue Farmers' Market enjoying the season's final harvest, but the mood was anything but sad.

After just a season together, customers greeted the farmers and staff like old friends, and lined up to buy fresh winter squash, apples, potatoes, homemade bread, pies, and other fruits of the season. Nearby, dancers from the Center for Nia and Yoga beckoned to the audience, and a few brave souls joined them for a joyful dance that seemed to capture the mood of the morning. Market staff and sponsors said there was a lot to celebrate.

"We're very proud of all the hard work and the outreach that was done to promote this market and bring it to the neighborhood. We learned a lot, and we're looking forward to making it even bigger and better next year," said Anthony Capece, Executive Director the Central BID, one of the market's primary sponsors and organizers. "It's been nice to be a part of bringing something like this to Albany."

"We were amazed at the outpouring of vendors and neighbors in support of the market at The Linda. What a great season and we owe it to, in large part, the CBID for making it all happen," said Alan Chartock, President and CEO of WAMC Northeast Public Radio and WAMC's performance venue, The Linda.

The market will return to the parking lot of the Linda, WAMC's Performing Arts Studio in next May. "We look forward to continuing to help the market grow in vendors and in recognition as it is the only inner city market in the area, attracting people from all walks of life and accomplishing great things," added Chartock. "I just love it!"

In addition to bringing the best in produce and goods from local farmers to the public, as well as inviting people to take another look at Central Avenue and what it has to offer, the new market continually demonstrated a focus on health and education. During its inaugural season, the market offered a range of resources to the public, including cancer screenings from Cancer Services Program, health screenings from Whitney Young Health Center, information about healthcare reform, Biggest Winner programming, and Active Generations programming. The market also offered health education focused-programs for kids, including a yoga class and two healthy eating workshops, as well as workshops from Five Rivers Nature Center, The Nature Conservancy, the Albany Public Library, and the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center.

The summer market was so successful that the BID has announced plans to launch a trial " Concept Fall Harvest Market". The new market, which will feature fall produce, will take place in the parking lot of 855 Central Avenue, every Saturday from 10am-2pm during the month of October.

"We have a number of vendors who still have a lot of produce to sell, apples, pumpkins, squash, baked goods, and we wanted to offer them an opportunity to keep bringing that service to the public," said Molly Belmont, Market Manager.

The new harvest market will began Saturday October 10.

Big Bellies Gobble Garbage, Smash Trash with Sun's Rays

Last week, in another green efficiency iniative, the Central BID deployed new trash cans throughout the district. The new Big Belly Solar Compactors work like mini garbage trucks, gobbling up litter and then compacting it for greater storage capacity. This translates into less maintenance work and cleaner streets. Plus, the Big Bellies are solar-powered, so there are no extra energy costs associated with disposal.

The Big Belly cans were posted at bus stops throughout the Route 5 corridor, where trash is most abundant. Regular compaction means no more overflowing cans. It also means trash can go longer between pick-ups, and that saves fuel and labor costs. The compacted trash also takes up less space in the landfill, and since the cans run on solar power, it's clean and green.

The Big Belly cans were purchased with money from a NYSERDA grant, through a partnership with CDTA and have already been two weeks on the street with no mess and no pick-up. "They're already paying for themselves," Anthony Capece, Executive for the BID explained at a recent committee meeting about the district.

Will Sing for Food: Sing for Your Supper at Paradiso

Brave? Talented? Just hungry? Ristorante Paradiso, a Central Avenue fixture, is hosting "Sing for Your Supper," a new promotional event that allows customers to sing popular tunes in exchange for their meals. Sing just two songs, and your meal is on the house.

The event kicked off last night, and everyone got into the act, with customers singing hits by Elton John, Pat Benatar, Simon and Garfunkel, and even the bartender chiming in with his bass voice for Chantilly Lace. Participants got to enjoy a buffet of Chicken Francaise, Eggplant Roulades, Baked Ziti, and House Salad.

Sponsored by G.A.E.S. Magazine, the "Sing for Your Supper" event will take place each week for the next two Thursdays, September 17 and 24, from 6-8pm at Ristorante Paradiso on Central and Robin. Depending on its success, the event may continue through the month of October.

The event is the brainchild of Matt Woodruff, Publisher/Editor of G.A.E.S., Albany's Gay Arts, Entertainment and Shopping Magazine. Woodruff says he wanted to come up with a way to support Ristorante Paradiso, a longtime Albany business that's he says has been very supportive of the gay community. Woodruff says they saw that Paradiso had karaoke, but noticed that people didn't really turn out for it, and thought offering free dinner in exchange for some music would be a popular idea.

In tough economic times like these, the event is a fun, affordable way to have a night out, with good food and entertainment, Woodruff says.

The event also benefits the magazine, offering a new opportunity for exposure. G.A.E.S. is a relatively new monthly magazine, in existence just six months, but is already available in over 150 locations throughout the city, he says.

Ristorante Paradiso is located on the corner of Robin and Central Avenue. Sing for Your Supper takes place every Thursday night from 6pm to 8pm.

Central BID Helps Celebrate National Night Out

No insurance? We've got your protection against cancer

ALERT: The Cancer Screening will be held at the

CBID famers market this weekend!

For many people, consistent medical care is simply out of reach. Their jobs don't offer health insurance, and that means living in perpetual fear of getting sick or hurt. But for the last 10 years, the Albany County Cancer Services Program has been trying to ease that fear by offering free screenings, and treatment for those diagnosed with cancer.

The program is aimed at early detection, and so it promotes annual exams for everyone, regardless of income, said Christie Ray-Marchetti, Outreach Manager for Cancer Services. "We want to try to catch cancer early when it's most treatable," Marchetti said.

The Cancer Services provides annual pap tests, clinical breast exams, mammograms for women and colorectal screenings and prostate education for men. If cancer is found, the program will also cover chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, "whatever they need," Marchetti said.

The program works through a network of care providers, including private physicians and area hospitals like Albany Medical Center and St. Peter's Hospital. "People have a choice when it comes to who they see," Marchetti said. "It's not a clinic."

Funded by the New York State Department of Health, the Cancer Services Program offers cancer screenings to women over 40, men over 50, and anyone who doesn't have health insurance, or whose insurance doesn't cover screenings.

Last year, the program conducted 650 screenings in this county alone.

For their convenience, patients can get screenings in the evenings, and the program also works with the Bellevue Mobile Mammogram Van to bring medical care right to people's work and neighborhood. The Cancer Services Program has physicians right off Central Avenue, Marchetti added.

Now there is simply no excuse not to get regular, annual cancer screenings and protect yourself against cancer.

To schedule your free cancer screening, call the Cancer Services Program Intake Coordinator at 454-4055, or check out one of these upcoming screening events:

Upcoming Events:

September 14, 10am-2pm

Cancer screenings at Koinonia Health Center, 553 Clinton Avenue

October 6, 3pm-6pm

Cancer screenings at the Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Avenue

Chapman Stained Glass Studio Restores History for more than 100 years

Near-BY News:

Stained glass windows lean up against the windows in the showroom of the Chapman Stained Glass Studio, offering a lesson in what the clear glass windows could be. Inside the workspace, more windows wait for their touch-ups.

The converted garage on the corner of Quail and Elberon is filled with glass projects in various stages of completion, and contains everything from leaded glass door panels to monumental church windows. The shop is a short history in the advances made in the art of stained glass windows, beginning with the small jeweled windows, progressing to large glass portraits with painted surfaces that show shading, and then making way for Tiffany's opalescent shimmer and creative use of leading.

Ron Buckley, the shop foreman and head glazer points to a series of cracked gable windows from a Schuylerville church. Glazer Adam Krawczak is binding the cracks in these ancient windows, first soldering the pieces together, and then using horseshoe nails to hold the pieces in place until they dry.

Chapman Studios is also responsible for rescuing the generations Albany High School stained glass windows from the old high school at the corner of Washington and South Lake Avenue last year. The windows had been stored away in an old corner of the building when the old high school moved to its new location in 1913, and had long-since been forgotten. When work crews discovered them last year, Chapman Studios was responsible for moving, restoring, and storing them for the school district for future use. More recently Chapman completed the stained glass projects at the Albany Courthouse and Hackett Middle School.

The studio also creates new windows for homeowners and churches, and you can see examples of their detailed work in the showroom. The studio was established in 1898, and moved to its present location in the 1980s. Buckley has been working here since 1990, when he came on as intern. "I like the job because we're restoring history," Buckley says, looking around the shop. Where possible, they also try to connect private buyers with pieces that would otherwise end up in the landfill. Recently, they successfully sold two mammoth glass windows to a private buyer in Pennsylvania. Buckley and his crew are very happy because the shop has been looking for a home for the pieces for more than 30 years, he says.

Chapman Stained Glass Studio, Inc. is located at 212 Quail Street, Albany, NY 12206. For more information about their work, please call them at (518) 449-5552.