Artist-only TV, Lights in Townsend Park, and other news from Central Avenue

We've gone GREEN! View this email in your browser Central BID Newsletter Summer 2014 Introduce UAlbany students to the city--and your business Who's coming to All Around Albany 2014? This year's freshmen class--and you! The Central Avenue Business Improvement District invites you to introduce your business to incoming college students at "All Around Albany 2014," an orientation event for University at Albany students. On Saturday, August 23, students will be picked up on campus, treated to a tour of the city, and then taken to the Ramada Plaza Hotel for a tradeshow-style reception, complete with fun, food, and freebies. In its fourth year, All Around Albany has quickly become one of the most popular parts of Great Dane Beginnings, UAlbany's official orientation program. Register to have a table at the event, or sign up to sponsor the event to enjoy even more benefits. You can also add your coupons, menus or other promotional materials to our goody bags. Sign up now by visiting our website: www.centralbid.com. Deadline is August 1. This event will be taking place on Saturday August 23, 2014 at the Albany Ramada Plaza Hotel from 11am-2pm. For more information please contact the CBID office at (518) 462-4300. Night Light $2,200 grant for Townsend Park   The Greater Capital Chapter of New York State Commercial Association of Realtors® the local representative group of real estate professionals, has received a $2,200.00 placemaking micro-grant from the National Association of Realtors® to help install outdoor lighting in Townsend Park.   The grant will enable the Central Avenue BID to add lighting to Townsend Park's trees, transforming the park into an exciting urban space for the community and for newly formed thriving business at Central Avenue's bustling east end.   "As the Townsend Park area becomes more attractive and welcoming, nearby properties may also increase in value," said Central BID Executive Director Anthony Capece. The lighting will make the park more user-friendly and add to its ambience, he says. This lighting project represents the next step for the park, and would go a long way to economically enhance the City of Albany and, at the same time, preserve and restore and highlight a park that's been around for over one hundred years, says Capece. Realtors live, work, and volunteer in their communities and take immense pride in working to improve them," says Nick DeMarte, President of the NYSCAR Board. "Placemaking can help foster healthier, more socially and economically viable communities. It creates places where people feel a stronger stake in their neighborhoods and are committed to making things better. This grant will allow us to address areas in our community that are in need of improvement or redevelopment and create a place where friends and neighbors can come together." This is the first time a commercial board of realtors has ever been awarded a placemaking grant by the National Association of Realtors.   Transit Art   CDTA to launch public art program in Central Ave's busiest stations CDTA, with the support of the Central Avenue Business Improvement District, will install give flatscreen TVs in its busiest Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations on Central Avenue to display the work of local artists and artists' organizations. The Transit Art Program is part of CDTA's Transit Development Plan and is designed to share local art and arts programming with the public. "We're excited," says Jonathan Scherzer, Director of Marketing for CDTA. "I think it's a great program. It's a no-brainer for us. We feel very entrenched in our communities, and I know the Central Avenue BID feels the same way, so to give something back and allow people to have a voice is a real positive thing." The big push now is getting as many arts organizations on board as possible, in order to make the content as engaging and varied as possible, Scherzer says. The five 42-inch flatscreens will be mounted inside durable enclosures inside the BRT stations located at 900 Central Avenue in front of Hannaford Plaza, 855 Central Avenue near Mildred Elley, 633 Central Avenue near Danker Florist and across the street, and at 195 Washington Avenue in front of the Washington Avenue Armory. The Transit Art Program will include stills, videos, and demonstrations, music performances, dance performances, cooking demonstrations, fashion, flower arrangements, writing samples--nearly anything that involves artistry or design. Future plans for the project could include virtual gallery openings, virtual holiday craft fairs, and other community tie-ins. If you would like to submit your work for inclusion in this program, please contact CBID offices at (518) 462-4300 to get more information.     We're taking Central Avenue on the road! We'll be exhibiting at the following events this summer and fall:  smAlbany Expo 2014, July 17, 8am-4pm, CNSE Campus, Albany (http://smalbany.org/) Live Life Local, September 28, 11am-4pm, Times Union Center, Albany  Small Business Albany Showcase, October 1, 8am-5pm, Holiday Inn Express, Latham (http://smallbusinessalbany.com/) Albany Fall Brew Fest, October 4, 12pm-6pm, Westland Hills Park, Albany (www.gotoguide.net/albany-oktoberfest/) Honest Weight Food Co-op's 6th Annual Local Harvest Festival, October 5, 12pm-4pm, Washington Park Lake House, Albany (www.hwfc.com) This newsletter represents a small, partial supplement to our comprehensive, constantly updated electronic newsletter "Blogging the Avenue." Please follow us there for all the Central Avenue news: http://www.centralbidnewsletter.com Contact Us: Central Ave. Business Improvement District 176 Central Ave. Albany, NY 12206 (518) 462-4300 unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences    Friend Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Visit Our Website

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2013 Central Avenue BID Open House

The Board of Directors of the Central Avenue Business Improvement District Invite you to please join us at our  Free-Annual Open House & Celebration  Featuring: "A Celebration of International Cuisine & Cultures from Central Avenue"     A savory blend of unique foods that are the pride of the cultures of the world and represent the flavor of the Avenue. With over 19 nations represented on the Avenue, you can truly taste the world all in one place.   Enjoy samples of our outstanding Central Avenue restaurants, plus great other dishes and desserts from our good friends  at the Ramada Plaza Hotel.   Mingle with our Board and Staff and learn about our many programs and successes throughout the year. Members can Vote in our Annual Elections of Officers   Tuesday, December 10th, 2013 From 11:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. at the Ramada Plaza Hotel   *If you can only make it as a last minute thing, just stop in, we would like you to be there Also please invite your co-workers, employees and other supporters of the Avenue.   Questions and or RSVP: (518) 462-4300 or use this Evite   Please take a few minutes out of your very busy day and join us for the wonderful International Lunch Buffet from our member restaurants   Proudly Hosted by The  Albany Ramada Plaza Hotel 3 Watervliet Avenue Ext. Albany, NY 12206    Central Avenue Business Improvement District  The Central District Management Association, Inc. 176 Central Avenue Albany, New York 12206   518-462-4300   www.centralbid.com . Use this area to offer a short preview of your email's content. View this email in your browser Copyright © 2013 Central Avenue Business Improvement District, All rights reserved. You are a friend or a member of the Central Avenue Business Improvement District. We send out periodic event and news information to our friends and members. Our mailing address is: Central Avenue Business Improvement District 176 Central Avenue Albany, New York 12206 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

Local First of the Capital Region adds new speakers to Local Lift, training and networking event May 22

Local First adds new speakers to Local Lift! Don't miss this training and networking event aimed at local independent businesses.  Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Panel Discussion: Health Care Reform--What’s coming and what it means for your business Kelly Smith, NY Health Benefit Exchange Carolina Rodriguez, Small Business Assistance Program, Community Health Advocates Kathy Burbank, President Guilderland Chamber of Commerce Josh Smith, President/CEO Vanguard Benefit Solutions Moderator: Frank Grant, VP of Sales, GTM Payroll Services Our panel will provide an overview of the Affordable Care Act and what’s in it for small businesses like yours. They’ll answer questions about health care tax credits, the new SHOP (Small Business Health Options Program) program from the NY Health Benefit Exchange, talk about the individual and small group health insurance markets, and employer mandates. Afterwards, you’ll have a chance to get answers to your biggest questions about what this legislation means for you and your employees. A comprehensive introduction to the legislation that’s going to change the landscape for small business owners. Don’t miss this important session!  Successful Cat Herding: a whole-systems process for social media Ric Dragon, Author and CEO, DragonSearch Ric Dragon presents his process framework for social media strategy, which is the topic of his recent book "Social Marketology" (McGraw-Hill 2012). This workshop would guide users through the Social Marketology framework: desired outcomes, brand voice, micro-segmentation, community, influencers, and action plan. CEO and co-founder of DragonSearch, Ric Dragon has more than 20 years of extensive experience in graphic design, information architecture, web development and digital marketing. He is a sought-after speaker, having spoken at numerous marketing and technology conferences. Ric is also a regular guest columnist for Marketing Land, and Social Media Monthly. Building a Brand: “It’s not about us. It’s about you.”  Robert Jake Gibbs, CEO Imaginer Communications “What do Willie Mays, The Who and Ubuntu have to do with your brand, your business and your success? “Everything,” answers Robert Jake Gibbs. Whether you’re a small business in Albany or a multi-national global enterprise, your brand is where your story and your success begins. Gibbs, who has created and produced permanent programming and travelling multimedia installations for The Baseball Hall Of Fame, the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum Of African Art,Time magazine, and created successful branding and messaging campaigns for multimillion dollar corporations, will show business owners how to capture their story in a brand and then sell that brand using effective messaging techniques. So, what is your story?  Friend on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend Presents Local Lift: Wednesday, May 22, 2013, 9am-3pm TEC-SMART Facility, Malta, NY $25 tickets/$10 students, includes lunch Register now: http://www.locallift.org/register-2  follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Local First of the Capital Region Our mission is to improve the conditions of the locally owned, independent business community in the Capital District of New York State - including independent retail establishments, farms, service businesses, nonprofit organizations, cooperatives, credit unions, and banks. We accomplish the mission by working with the business community to increase public awareness of the value of building a local living economy that increases the sustainability and quality of life in the region. By developing publicity and holding events to educate consumers, we serve as the voice of the independent business community. http://www.capitaldistrictlocalfirst.org  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

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Avenue goes blue to prevent cancer

Each year, 10,000 New Yorkers are diagnosed with colon or rectum and 3,500 die from the disease. People over 50 are at increased risk. However, with early screening, more than half of these cases could be prevented. March is colorectal cancer awareness month and to promote screenings, cities in the Capital Region will be illuminated and decorated in blue and free take-home colon screening kits will be distributed. Central Avenue businesses will be participating, including PriceChopper, Planned Parenthood, and Bob and Ron's Fish Fry. “The Businesses of Central Avenue in Albany are proud to be working together with so many great partners to help spread the message of colorectal cancer awareness," says Anthony J. Capece, Jr., Executive Director of the Central Business Improvement District. "The New York State Department of Health has created a very proactive life saving screening program and we are honored to offer our help to deliver the message to our community and the region. Many of our businesses are actively promoting this awareness effort and many are also hosting events. We encourage residents to find a Central Avenue business that is hosting an event and take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.” The Cancer Services Program of Albany also provides free and low-cost screening for breast, colon, and cervical cancer throughout the year. For more information about the program, visit their website at: http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cancer/services/partnerships/albany.htm or call them at 454-4055.

Shining Rainbow wins national dining competition

Shining Rainbow is one of the nation's best Chinese restaurants--officially.

The local restaurant has been named one of the country's Top 100 Chinese restaurants in the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants Competition annual competition. In its seventh year, the contest honors the nation's best restaurants in nine categories. Shining Rainbow won in the healthy menu category.

"It's a pretty big honor," says Justin Chi, Shining Rainbow staffer.

Since opening in 2008, Shining Rainbow has received a great deal of critical praise, including receiving five stars from New York Talk of the Town. The restaurant was also visited by famed Chinese chef and cookbook writer Martin Yan, who came to sample the cuisine and talk with the staff.

Nationally, Chinese restaurants are big business. The Top 100 organization says that there are 46,700 Chinese restaurants in the country, more than the number of McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King restaurants combined. Chinese restaurants generate about $20 billion annually.

Top 100 contest winners were honored in January at a ceremony in San Francisco that brought it all back home. The first Chinese restaurant in America opened its doors in San Francisco in 1849. The ceremony, "The Future of Chinese Dining, and its 150-year History in America," honored this business's illustrious history. Here's to more honors in the future!

Get your ackee: Linstead Market brings taste of the islands to Central

The first thing you notice when you walk into Linstead Market and Island Cafe is the pumping reggae music, which is fitting, given that the specialty grocery store is named after a Jamaican folksong.

Owner, Delcita Mitchell opened the store 15 years ago on Lexington to cater to Caribbean transplants and the local community. Last year, she moved Linstead to Central Avenue, hoping that the new location would be busier--and it has been, she says.

Mitchell carries a large selection of African and Carribean mainstays, including ackee, the national dish of Jamaica, callaloo, jerk seasoning, curry powder, pounded yam, plantains, and farina. She also serves a range of Island dishes at the Jamaican Grill, which is the cafe side of the business. The handwritten menu behind the cash register announces a mouth-watering array of traditional prepared foods including curry chicken, oxtail soup, porridge, jerk chicken, ackee and cod fish, and brown stew snapper. Mitchell does a bustling lunch business. Customers can sit at one of the metal and formica tables at the back of the store or take their food to go. Prices start at $1.50 for a beef patty or fried chicken leg and go up to $14.50 for a dinner of ackee and cod fish. All dinners are served with cabbage and plantains, and your choice of white rice and peas or dumplings with yams and bananas.

"Come in and try the food," Mitchell urges. "It's tasty."

Linstead Market and Island Cafe is located at 109 Central Avenue. The store is open Monday through Saturday 9am-9pm. For more information, call 434-0092.

Albany Assessment Review Board Opening

Albany Board of Assessment Review Opening
Application Deadline: February 2, 2011

Dear Friend:

There is currently one opening on the Albany Board of Assessment Review
which is appointed by the Common Council.  This is the Board that
considers property owner challenges to their assessments during the
annual grievance period in May-June.  Below is additional information on
the Board and the process for submitting a letter of interest and
application for appointment.  The deadline for applications is February
2.  This is a very important Board, if you or someone you know is
interested please consider submitting an application.

Richard Conti
President Pro Tempore
Albany Common Council Member 6th Ward

City of Albany
Common Council

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS


The Albany Common Council is seeking applications from qualified
residents of the City of Albany for the following position:

Title of Position:

Member, Board of Assessment Review

Term of Appointment:

Immediate for a term ending 9/30/15

Position Responsibilities/Duties:

The sole purpose of the Board of Assessment review is to guarantee
taxpayer rights by hearing real property assessment complaints
(grievances) and arriving at fair and impartial determinations regarding
those complaints.  Members of the Board should be individuals with
knowledge of property values within the municipality and must attend and
complete a training course in order to participate in the hearing and
determinations of assessment complaints.

The training course will not exceed four hours in length and shall
include, but not be limited to, the functions, duties and
responsibilities of the Board of Assessment Review, assessment review
and assessment procedures, and exemption administration.  Additional
topics may include real property tax legislation, judicial decisions and
administrative opinions.

The Board's work will primarily take place during a five week period;
May 25 through June 30.  Members of the Board should expect to work five
days a week, eight hours a day during that period.  This should be
considered a full-time job during that period.  Board members will be
compensated $1,000 annually during their term of appointment.

In addition to hearing grievances and making determinations as part of
the regular grievance process, board members will also assist property
owners with preliminary assessed valuations and informal challenges.

Statutory Authority:

NYS Real Property Tax Law, section 523


Application Requirement:

Applicants are requested to submit a letter of intent describing
qualifications and include a current resume to:

Cashawna Parker
Senior Legislative Aide
Albany Common Council – Room 206
City Hall
Albany, NY 12207

Tel:            434-5087
Fax:            434-5081
               e-mail:         parkerc@ci.albany.ny.us

Applicants will be interviewed by a selected committee of the Common
Council prior to appointment.

Deadline for Applications:      Close of business, Wednesday, February 2,
2011.



Policy Statement

The Common Council is committed to assuring that its appointments to
city boards, authorities, commissions or committees is representative of
the diversity of Albany's population.  Consistent with the City of
Albany Human Rights Law, it is the policy of the Common Council to
prohibit discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, marital or domestic
partner status in all aspects of its personnel policies, programs,
practices and operations.

Second Time Around offers new life for donated goods

Wedding dresses. Formal gowns. Outgrown baby clothes and bassinets. Wouldn't it be great if these items could be used again? Second Time Around, the new thrift store behind Mohawk Ambulance offers a second chance for used goods, and profits go to fund City Harvest Family Church missions overseas, says coordinator Ann Pratt.

Second Time Around sells clothing for men, women and children, as well as home furnishings at a steep discount. The merchandise is donated, the staff is volunteer, and the profits are given away, making the store a kind of epicenter of giving. And that's the point, says Pratt.

The thrift store is a way to reach out to the surrounding community, and connect them with other church programs, many of which are housed in the same building, Pratt says. One such program, Angelfood, provides boxes of food to families and seniors at a discount. Customers can choose from a variety of packages, including the Bread of Life box, which promises to provide a week's worth of meals for a family of four for $31, or the Just 4 Me After School Box, which provides afterschool snacks for a week for a scant $16, or the Fast and Flavorful Cuisine, which provides convenience meals for seniors for just $28. These boxes are not a hand-out, Pratt says, "they're a hand-up."

Soon, the building will also be home to an internet cafe that Pratt hopes will attract more neighbors, including clients of Saint Anne's Institute. The building also houses some low-cost apartments for families in need, she says.

Second Time Around is located at 181 N. Main Street, behind the Mohawk Ambulance Garage. The store is open Thursday 10am-2pm, Friday 10am-2pm, and Saturday 11am-3pm. For more information, contact the store at 632-1012.