Summer 2007 - Hudson/Park Neighborhood Association

CAPITAL
Summer 2007, CAPITAL Neighbors — 1
Neighbors
CENTER SQUARE l HUDSON/PARK l MANSION l PASTURES l WASHINGTON PARK
Summer
2007
Volume 13 Number 2, For Distribution Week of June 4, 2007
A N EWS PA P E R F O R A N D A B O U T A L BA N Y ’ S H I ST O R I C N E I G H B O R H O O D S
Hidden City House & Garden
Tour
June 21st
Showcases Albany’s Historic Neighborhoods
T
The ever popular Hidden City
House & Garden Tour, now in its 17th
year, will take place on Thursday, June
21st from 5:00-8:00 pm. The event is
co-sponsored by the Historic Albany
Foundation and the Center Square
and Hudson Park Neighborhood
Associations.
Homes on the tour, which date
from the mid 1800s to the early 1900s,
include elegant Victorian townhouses
as well as a carriage barn converted into
sophisticated living space. The homes,
designed for Albany’s most prominent
citizens by noted architects of the
period, feature exquisite architectural
detail, including inlaid floors, ornate
plaster moldings and carved woodwork.
A highlight of this year’s tour is
the opportunity to tour the private
meeting rooms of the St. Andrew’s
James R. Burns, Armourer to
Society of the City of Albany. The
the St. Andrew’s Society,
Society was founded in 1803 by 18 men
is outfitted in traditional
of Scottish lineage to aid Scots arriving
Scottish dress as he performs
from the old country. The brownstone
his duties a caretaker of the
townhouse that has been the Society’s
Society’s arms and armour.
home since 1928, is decorated with a
Scottish theme including the shields of 40 Scottish clans, a baronial fireplace,
armor, paintings, sculpture and the Society’s 1825 banner. The 3,000 volume
library houses one of the finest collections of Scottish literary and archival
materials in the U.S.
Tour participants will also have the opportunity to attend an opening
reception for three special exhibits at the Albany Institute of History and Art.
The exhibits feature landscape paintings and photographs by contemporary
artists as well as 19th century painters of the famous Hudson River School.
In addition, lovely gardens, hidden from public view behind the urban
row houses, testify to the talents of creative city gardeners who have designed
innovative solutions to gardening challenges in limited spaces.
Advance sale tickets are $15 per person prior to June 11, 2007. For
information call Frances Tarlton at (518) 436-7630 or download the prepaid
ticket order form at www.historic-albany.org. After June 11, tickets will cost $20
and can be purchased at Ben & Jerry’s ice cream store (250 Lark Street), Mezzo
Marketplace (340 Hamilton Street) and the Historic Albany Foundation office at
(472 Madison Avenue) and will be on sale through the evening of June 21st.
Working Together to
Create an Albany County
Housing Trust Fund
R
By Eric Dahl, Albany County Housing Trust Fund, Task Force Member
Rents are higher than
ever. The cost of housing
has outpaced wages. Yet
now people who care about
affordable housing have
something to cheer about.
Hailed as an innovative
model for inter-municipal
cooperation and sound
regional planning, the
newly created Albany
County Housing Trust
Fund will begin investing
dollars this year in
affordable housing efforts
throughout the county.
A coalition of
organizations, financial
institutions, municipal
leaders, private citizens
and others have been
working over the past year
to create a local housing
trust fund. Housing trust
funds are permanently
dedicated sources of
revenue used to support
the production and
preservation of affordable
housing. Approximately
600 housing trust funds
have been established
across the country by
city, county or state
governments.
Responding to a
proposal by County
Executive Michael Breslin
and Deputy County
Executive Joseph Pennisi,
the Albany County
Legislature unanimously
appropriated $300,000
to help seed an Albany
County Housing Trust
Fund. Accordingly, at a
breakfast forum on May
24th, municipal leaders,
planning officials,
housing advocates and
others gathered at the
Government Law Center of
the Albany Law School to
discuss affordable housing
needs in our community
and to welcome the
release of a 2007 Notice
of Funding Availability
(NOFA).
Housing Trust Fund
dollars will be awarded
through a competitive
proposal process to
support the production
and preservation of
affordable housing
throughout Albany
County. Municipalities,
housing authorities,
nonprofit organizations
and private for-profit
developers are eligible
to apply. The fund
hopes to finance a range
of activities, foster
innovation, and encourage
both large and small
projects. Lasting impact,
cost effective investments
and preservation of
affordability will be
primary considerations.
An informational
meeting for NOFA
applicants will be held on
June 12th, 9:00 am at 112
State Street, 1st Floor Cahill
Room. Applications are
due before 4:30 pm on July
12th.
A task force has been
meeting since early 2006
to develop the Albany
County Housing Trust
Fund. The task force
(which is open to the
public) will provide agency
oversight of the selected
projects. The task force’s
next meeting is scheduled
for June 14th, 10:30 am at
255 Orange Street, 2nd Floor
Conference Room. The
task force has appointed
a screening committee
to score applications
and make funding
recommendations to the
County of Albany for the
2007 funding round.
Does Albany County
have an affordable housing
problem? Consider these
facts:
• Rental Housing.
Thirty-eight percent of
all renter households in
Albany County (19,269
households) pay more
than 30% of their income
on housing. A full-time
worker earning $21,600
pays half of pre-tax wages
for the HUD fair market
rent of $900 for a three
bedroom apartment.
• Senior Housing.
Seniors find it increasingly
difficult to secure decent
affordable housing that
meets their needs.
• Workforce Housing.
Town and village housing
costs are rising faster
continued page 3
48A Dove Street Unwrapped!
See story
on page 3.
Summer 2007, CAPITAL Neighbors — 2
Neighborhood
&
News Notes
Capital
Neighbors
2006-07
Assoc.
Sponsors
Center Square
Neighborhood
Historic Albany
Foundation
Hudson/Park
Neighborhood
Mansion
Neighborhood
Washington Park
Neighborhood
Individual
Sponsors
From afar . . .
Gene Milgram
s!
k
n
a
Th anks!
Th
Center Square
During 2007, Center
Square Association
has had a series
of “neighborhood
conversations.” After a
short business portion of
our meetings, we have
small group discussion
on an issue or question of
concern, trying to identify
what the association can
do about it. To date, we’ve
discussed what we can do
to improve quality of life
overall, keeping families
in the neighborhood,
and land use related to
quality of life. The next
Center Square Association
meeting is September 20th,
when you can join us in a
continuing discussion on
land use. Summer events
include a June 9th park
planting, a June 16th kids
field day (both in HudsonJay Park) and National
Night Out in August.
Board elections for the
2007-2009 term will be held
in October.
Hudson/Park
On April 28 , a
beautiful morning
greeted approximately
30 volunteers from the
Hudson/Park and Center
Square neighborhoods
who came together for
the annual clean-up day.
Volunteers worked hard
to clean up trash and
litter accumulated on
sidewalks and alleyways
during the winter, while
others cleaned up the
Hudson/Jay turnaround
park. (See photos below.)
Everyone gathered back at
the turnaround park for
a wonderful potluck and
gourmet barbecue.
Congratulations to
H/PNA Vice President
th
Cleanup Day—
John Quinn
(l) and Todd
Strong (r) put
muscle to the
shovel during
the annual
Center Square/
Hudson/Park
Neighborhood
cleanup day
and lots of new
volunteers came
to lend a hand.
Capital Neighbors is published by the Center
Square, Hudson/Park, Mansion and Washington
Park Neighborhood Associations. Circulation:
7,000 copies.
Editorial Committee: Leslie Moran, Chair; Tom
Clark, Tom McPheeters, Joyce Rambo, Stephanie
Richardson, Colleen Ryan. Production Committee:
Stephanie Richardson, Chair. Advertising Sales:
Charlie Sullivan, Chair. Distribution: Mac
Mowbray, Chair.
If you are interested in working on future
issues of Capital Neighbors, or would like to
make comments or suggestions, please contact
Capital Neighbors care of:
Charlie Sullivan
230 Elm Street, Albany, NY 12202
e-mail: [email protected]
Ellen Picotte for being
named the recipient
of the 2007 Thomas J.
Senchyna Neighborhood
Service Award. Ellen is
an invaluable resource to
our neighborhood and her
never-ending enthusiasm
for life and living
“downtown” continues to
inspire us all.
Mansion
Neighborhood
residents were invited
to meet new neighbors,
First Lady Silda Wall
Spitzer and Governor
Eliot Spitzer, on Tuesday,
May 22nd, at the Executive
Mansion. Several hundred
residents delighted in
touring the grounds and
first floor of the Mansion.
New York State products
were featured at the
event barbeque, Ernie
Williams and the Wild
Cats entertained and face
painters delighted the
children. MNA presented
Mansion Neighborhood
t-shirts to their hosts, who
were extremely gracious in
welcoming everyone. Now
that’s a housewarming
party! (See photo below.)
More new neighbors
also threw open their
doors. The League of
Women Voters held a
Community Open House
to celebrate the opening
of its new office at 62
Grand Street on Saturday,
June 2nd. The League is
entering its 88th year of
encouraging informed
and active participation in
government.
MNA will hold its
now annual National
Night Out Against Crime
Ice Cream Social in the
Yolles Contemplation
Garden at the corner
of Phillp, Bleecker and
Myrtle Streets, on Tuesday,
August 7th.
And in the same vein,
Support your
neighborhood
associations!
★Center Square Association
P.O. Box 7134, Albany, NY 12224; 433-8011
e-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.centersquare.org
★Hudson/Park Neighborhood Association
P.O. Box 2313 - ESP, Albany, NY 12220; 894-7641
e-mail: [email protected]
★Mansion Neighborhood Association
1½ Elm Street, Albany, NY 12202; 432-5981
e-mail: [email protected]
★Historic Pastures Community Association
50 Westerlo Street, Albany, NY 12202; 427-1953
e-mail: [email protected]
★Washington Park Neighborhood Association
369½ State Street, Albany NY 12210; 433-0787
e-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.wpneighbors.org
many residents will be
hosts for the 3rd Mansion
Neighborhood House and
Garden Tour on Sunday,
September 30, from noon5:00 pm. For details or to
volunteer, contact Holly
Katz at harriskatz@mac.
com.
Washington Park
The Washington Park
Neighborhood Association
is putting out the welcome
mat for new neighbors.
In that regard, the newly
formed WPNA Historic
District Committee
is developing printed
materials to present
to newcomers to the
neighborhood. Committee
members Karen Cannell,
Beth Lacey, Sandra Ray
and Clare Yates say what
will make their welcome
package distinctive is its
accent on the positive—
less emphasis on what you
can’t do and more on why
living in the Washington
Park neighborhood is a
move in the right direction.
The association also
remains committed
to improving the
living experience in
the city’s grandest
park in other ways.
Recently, its members
Mansion
Neighborhood
residents
enjoyed the
festivities
at the
Governor’s
Mansion.
Household Hazardous Waste Days
Household hazardous waste collection days continue on the
following Thursdays at the City of Albany Rapp Road Landfill
(from 4:00-7:00 pm): June 21st, August 2nd, September 6th, October
4th, November 1st and December 6th. This service is available to
residents of Albany only and you must pre-register to be admitted
by calling toll-free 1-800-494-CARE (2273). Small businesses that
generate less than 32 gallons a month of hazardous waste may
also participate but will be charged a small fee. Should you have
questions, call the Department of General Services (DGS) at 434CITY (2489). For a full listing of acceptable materials, download
the 2007 Household Hazardous Waste flyer at http://www.albanyny.
org/pdfs/2007HouseholdHazardousWasteCleanupSchedule1.pdf
issued a statement in
support of a proposal
by the Washington Park
Conservancy to close
Lancaster Street to traffic
between Willett Street and
Henry Johnson Boulevard
in order to return this
small section of the Park
to its original design.
WPNA also supports the
Conservancy’s plan to
conduct a study of the
traffic flow in the affected
area.
And, the association
has endorsed a legislative
proposal by 6th Ward
Councilman Richard
Conti that would restrict
amplified music in the
park to the hours of noon6:00 pm. The proposed
amendment to the current
city ordinance would also
increase fees charged to
non-city sponsors of events
in the park to include a
surcharge to cover the
costs of cleanup and
restoration of the park
following an event.
WPNA held its annual
Picnic in the Park on
Wednesday June 13th. The
association will then take a
breather over the summer
and will resume its regular
meeting schedule in the
fall.
Garbage on
Private Property
Now Subject to
DGS Review and
Removal
On May 21st, the Common Council
expanded the ability of the
Department of General Services
(DGS) to deal with garbage on
private proterty identified as a
health or safety risk to the general
public. Under new standards, DGS
will have the authority to assess
(by trained supervisors) whether a
health or safety violation exists and,
if so, remove the garbage from the
private property. Waste materials
that would be deemed a health or
safety violation include: raw trash,
raw meat, feces, deceased animals,
hazardous waste materials and
excessive trash likely to attract
rodents, wildlife, birds and/or
insects. The new law allows for the
immediate removal of such materials
without the need for a prior notice of
violation.
Summer 2007, CAPITAL Neighbors — 3
By Virginia Bowers, City of Albany Historian, and Tom Clark
Dove Street Mystery
House Re-emerges
Along with a very
pricey restoration tab.
A
And so, the blue
housewrap has come down
at 48A Dove Street (aka 163
Lancaster Street) revealing
a still incomplete but, to
the naked eye, relatively
pristine restoration of the
building’s façade. Owner
Paul Petrosino (he bought
the building and adjacent
parcel for $395,000 in 2004)
told Capital Neighbors that
he’s invested $1 million+
in restoring the structure,
and that doesn’t include
the new roof that will soon
be added.
So what, in fact, is
really going on with this
1894 gold brick structure,
a structure that narrowly
escaped the wrecking
ball in 1979, and why
has it captured so much
neighborhood interest over
the last couple of years? In
this case, a little history is
instructive.
The City of Albany
experienced rapid growth
between 1870 and the
beginning of the 20th
century. Acording to the
1870 census, the population
was 69,422; but by 1875,
it had increased to 86,013
and by 1900, 94,923. It was
a period when Albany
attracted significant
numbers of professionals
and skilled trades people
who contributed to the
city’s ongoing expansion.
Not only was the new state
capitol being built, but
residential, commercial
and public structures were
rapidly coming on line.
In 1876, Morris
Ryder, the builder of
48A Dove Street, was
offered a position with the
construction department
of the New York State
Capitol at Albany. Six years
later, in 1882, Ryder joined
the Albany construction
firm of J.W. Eaton & Co.
Eaton was known for
his outstanding work
and sterling reputation
as a builder. During his
lengthy career, Eaton was
credited with constructing
more than 500 buildings
in the city. He also served
as superintendent of
construction for the new
capitol.
As Ryder’s confidence
grew under the tutelage
of Eaton, he made the
decision to establish his
own construction firm,
M.H. Ryder, which became
know as “the pioneer
in the construction of
apartments in Albany.”
Ryder’s first venture
of that nature was the
Hudson Apartments at 762
Madison Avenue between
South Lake Avenue and
Quail Street. Among the
larger apartment buildings
he was also credited with
building were 355 and
352 State Street. Ryder’s
career continued to expand
as he interacted with
other Albany contractors
and architects, notably
Housing
from page 1
Frank Pogliani, owner of Pogliano Bros.
General Contractors and construction manager
for the 48A Dove Street project, shows off the
interior work that was required in order to
restore the bow windows.
Marcus Reynolds. In July
1903, Ryder approached
Reynolds about designing
what would become
355 State Street. After
approximately six
months of discussion
and interchange of ideas
they agreed on a final
plan in January 1904.
The apartments at 355
State were comparable
to the spacious living
quarters commonly
found in New York
City’s more fashionable
neighborhoods, and
thus became an address
for many of the older,
wealthier people of
Albany.
For the construction of
many of Ryder’s buildings
he chose a “flamboyant
Dutch Revival” style. In
and more dramatically than incomes, making it often difficult for people to live in the
community where they work.
• Smart Growth & Mixed Development. Neighborhoods across the county would
benefit from mixed-income and mixed-use development projects consistent with Smart
Growth principles.
• Homeless & Transitional Housing. The lack of affordable housing is a major
factor contributing to homelessness in Albany County. People remain living in
transitional housing and in homeless shelters because they cannot find affordable,
permanent housing units.
• Homeownership. Home prices have outpaced household incomes. According to
responsible lenders, a person earning $50,000 a year can stretch to purchase a $150,000
home. Unfortunately, only 136 of the 1,100 single-family homes for sale in Albany are
priced under $150,000. Of these, a scant 54 are considered in generally good condition
according to Realtor® data.
Get Involved! The Albany County HTF is an important part of a long-term solution
to provide affordable housing for those who need it. We need your help to make sure
the HTF becomes a big success. Here is how you can help:
• Educate public representatives about HTFs and let them know how an Albany
County HTF will benefit communities throughout the county.
• Add your name, organization, faith-based group, or business to the list of HTF
endorsers. See list of endorsers posted at http://www.ahphome.org/htf_endorsers.htm.
• Become a member of the HTF Task Force and attend planning meetings or
participate in one of the working committees.
• Encourage public representatives at the state level to establish a “true” New York
State HTF with dedicated public revenues and facilitate the development of local HTFs
throughout the state.
• Inform the people you meet that Albany County is well-positioned to serve as a
model of inter-municipal cooperation and sound regional planning around the critical
issue of affordable housing.
For more information visit about the Albany County Housing Trust Fund, visit:
http://www.ahphome.orq/HousinqTrustFund.htm. For a copy of the Albany County
NOFA, visit: http://www.govbids.com/scripts/crpg/public/home1.asp. For background
on Housing Trust Funds across the county, visit: http://www.communitychange.org/
issues/housingtrustfunds.
fact, his own residence, a
town house at 317 State
Street, was in the Dutch
Revival mode. Ryder and
his wife Louise Carpenter
Ryder lived at 317 State
Street , with the exception
of a four year period (189498), until his death on
October 25, 1918.
During his career
as contractor/builder,
Ryder was responsible
for erecting a number
of other outstanding
buildings in Albany. For
example, he constructed
the brownstones at
84-88 Chestnut Street
and, in 1905, served as
general contractor in the
construction of Public
School #16 on North Allen
Street. In keeping with
his favored Dutch Revival
theme, in 1917, he built
the Central Fire Alarm
Station at 25 Delaware
Avenue (currently the city
operates the building as
the Louise Corning Senior
Citizens Center.) Possibly
Ryder emphasized the
Dutch Revival theme to
complement the Delaware
Avenue #4 Firehouse
(which is now on the
historic register) designed
by his friend, architect
Marcus Reynolds in 1912.
But getting back to
48A Dove Street, or the
Ryder Mansion, as it was
subsequently known.
Ryder built the house
in 1894. He and his wife
lived at 48A Dove Street
from 1894 until 1898.
Subsequently, Wilbur H.
Roberts, manager of the
local office of the Aetna
Life Insurance Company,
and his wife Mary,
occupied the house from
1898 until 1940. The house
was vacant from 1940 until
1944, and it was apparently
divided into apartments
after that.
The building suffered
serious damage in 1976
when most of the roof
either burned off or
Morris and Louise Ryder lived at 48A Dove
Street from 1894 to 1898.
collapsed as the result of
an explosion. The gable on
the Dove Street side of the
building collapsed and a
rear wall also collapsed at
a later date. The building
was open to the weather
from the time of the fire
until some time in 1979 or
1980.
In June of 1979 owner
Michael Rickman was
ordered by the City
of Albany Building
Department to either
demolish the building or
repair it. In response to
that order, the Historic
Albany Foundation (HAF)
negotiated with the county
to purchase the property
after foreclosure for taxes
owed. Subsequently,
HAF contracted with F.L.
Hoffman Construction
Company of Rensselaer
to rebuild the roof, the
rear wall and the gable.
The contract also called
for installation of new
windows and doors, and
required that the interior
floors be reconnected with
the walls.
Once stabilized,
the building was sold
to a private owner who
completed the work. A
covenant was placed in
the deed to ensure that
the exterior restoration
was completed in a timely
manner and in compliance
with specified historic
preservation standards.
HAF raised money for
the stabilization and the
Center Square Association
loaned HAF an additional
$5,000 for the project.
The building obviously
underwent a great deal of
stress in both the wood
and masonry parts of
the building, especially
during the 1976 fire.
Unfortunately, in the early
1980s, when the contractors
rebuilt the roof and certain
other framing, they did not
take great care in all areas,
especially in the area of the
second floor bow window
on the Lancaster Street side
of the building.
The building changed
hands at least one more
time before current owner
Paul Petrosino purchased
it in 2004. Since that time,
he has conducted extensive
restoration and renovation
of the structure.
“The whole structure
was shot,” says Petrosino,
“and the 70s redo simply
wasn’t up to code.”
Accordingly, he replaced
all sills; rewired the whole
structure; “had to replace
brick on the back wall
because it was brittle from
the 1976 fire.” Petrosino’s
crew also had to install
new air conditioning
and replace most of the
plumbing. Moreover, the
fascia on the Lancaster
Street side was ready to
continued page 7
Summer 2007, CAPITAL Neighbors — 4
By Sharon DiLorenzo
Program Manager
Capital District
Community Gardens
NEW
In The
Neighborhood
By Leslie Moran
Elaine Block and This regular feature introduces new
Brain Stettin neighbors in our Capital Neighbors area.
397 Hamilton Street In this issue, we meet new neighbors
I
CDCF Spring Update!
It has been an exceptionally busy Spring here at Capital District Community
Gardens. In addition to the usual craziness associated with signing up hundreds
of gardeners to fill our 46 community gardens, our small (but amazing) staff
led tree planting efforts in three local municipalities (Cohoes, Green Island and
Rensselaer); organized and hosted our 20th annual Spring Brunch fundraiser and
Silent Auction (serving more than 500 guests); and pulled together our annual
Spring Plant Sale, which, despite the cold, rainy day, was pretty successful. And
right in the middle of this chaotic schedule, CDCG launched the Veggie Mobile.
This new and innovative program plans to make fresh fruits and vegetables
available to residents of our region’s inner city neighborhoods over the course of
the growing season.
More specifically, this mobile food market sells fresh produce at cost in
Hamilton Hill and Goose Hill in Schenectady, Arbor Hill and Whitehall Senior
Community Center in Albany, and North Central, Downtown and South Troy.
Set up like a produce aisle on wheels, the Veggie Mobile makes scheduled stops
each week in the neighborhoods that we serve. The brightly painted truck is
highly visible and plays music while it’s parked for shoppers. Since its launch
on April 19th, community response has been overwhelmingly positive. For more
information on the Veggie Mobile, visit our website at www.cdcg.org.
As CDCG continues to make healthy fresh foods more available to local city
residents through our community gardens, the Squash Hunger campaign, the
Taste Good series and the Veggie Mobile, I, for one, have started to take a much
closer look at the nutritional content of the food that I’m consuming and what I’m
growing in my garden. This season, I’ll be growing a lot more dark leafy greens
because they are packed with health-boosting nutrients.
Researchers keep finding more healthy reasons to consume fruits and
vegetables, and these dark leafy greens top the list. High quantities of lutein
found in kale have been linked to the prevention of macular degeneration, a
leading cause of blindness among seniors. Lutein may also help prevent fatty
deposits from clogging arteries. Collards are high in calcium and Vitamins A and
C. In fact, swiss chard, spinach, collards, kale and mustard greens (along with
broccoli) all sit at the top of the list of the most nutritious vegetables that you can
grow!
Just a simple change from a salad filled with iceberg lettuce to one rich in dark
leafy greens like escarole, arugula, mustard and dandelions can make a huge
nutritional difference. A single serving of greens provides a whopping wealth of
heart healthy nutrients including fiber, potassium and folate. Fiber helps reduce
the risk of blood clots, potassium works to control blood pressure and folate
lowers levels of homocysteine (an amino acid that is associated with elevated
cholesterol when present in high levels). An increase of just one serving in a
person’s daily intake of fruits and vegetables can drop the risk of heart disease by
5%! And, it takes only one cup of raw leafy greens to make one serving.
In general, most such greens are pretty easy to grow but do best in cool spring
and fall temperatures. When they’re exposed to too much heat, many greens will
bolt (go to seed) or they’ll turn limp and taste bitter. A steady flow of moisture
and nutrients is also important for successfully growing greens. Adding nitrogen
to the soil is especially important, and is a key element in growing crisp, high
quality leaves. A layer of mulch to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds
will also help.
Greens are highly susceptible to damage from flea beetles and leaf miners,
which leave tiny holes in the leaves and can also transmit diseases like blight and
wilt. You can protect your greens by spreading a section of horticultural fabric
over them, using short stakes to raise the fabric off of the plants. Secure it tightly
to the ground on all sides to keep most insects out. The fabric will allow light and
water through but helps protect the plants from insect damage.
So, add some spinach to your next salad, or swiss chard to your favorite soup
recipe, or grow a row of collards or mustard greens in your garden. You’ll gain a
healthier heart and a happier you as a result!
The
Community
Garden
plots
at the
Hudson/Jay
Turnaround
Park is
getting
lots of
attention
from their
caretakers.
Capital District Community Gardens
40 River Street / Troy, NY 12180
518-274-8685 / [email protected]
“
in Hudson/Park. If you are new in the
neighborhood, or know someone who is,
please write Capital Neighbors (at
[email protected]) and tell us
about our new neighbors.
“We’re city people,
basically,” Brian says
matter of factly in response
to the question as to why
the couple chose to live
downtown.
Brian, Elaine and their
two children, Jeremy, six,
and Eva, three and a half,
relocated to Albany from
Park Slope, Brooklyn. Brian
had worked in Attorney
General Eliot Spitzer’s New
York City office and moved
with his family to Albany
to join Governor Spitzer’s
administration where he
is now a special counsel in
the Division of Criminal
Justice. Elaine, also an
attorney, is currently
taking some time off from
working.
Echoing Brian’s
sentiment about being
“city people,” Elaine said
they didn’t even consider
looking for a home
outside of downtown.
They focused specifically
on the Center Square
and Hudson/park
neighborhoods, looking at
only seven or eight houses
before deciding on their
Hamilton Street find.
“We love old houses,”
Brian said, and quickly
added, “We were
somewhat giddy to find
out how much house you
could get here for such a
reasonable price.”
“Coming from Park
Slope, we were really
looking for a similar kind
of neighborhood,” says
Elaine. “There’s a real
sense of neighborhood
here. We love that
people care about their
community.” Another
plus for living downtown,
“We didn’t want to have to
drive to do everything.”
They both note
comparable attributes
between their old and new
neighborhoods. The ability
to walk to many activities,
access to museums
and restaurants, and a
wonderful city park – with
both Brooklyn’s Prospect
Park and Albany’s
Washington Park sharing
ties to famed landscape
architect Frederick Law
Olmstead.
Brian says Washington
Park is probably his
favorite thing about living
in downtown. While
Elaine says there are too
many things she likes to
be able to pick a favorite,
Brian laughs and declares,
“Elaine’s favorite would be
Mezzo.”
There are some facets
of downtown living that
they wish were different.
Brian points to the people
who make their way
nosily down the street
after they’ve been at the
Lark Street bars until the
wee hours. For Elaine,
she wishes there was a
better mix of commercial
offerings in the
neighborhood—more of a
variety of shops, boutiques
and even small grocery
stores versus the emphasis
on eating and drinking.
But the minuses are
outweighed by the pluses.
New Lark Street
BID Director Named
The Lark Street
Business
Improvement
District (BID) Board
of Directors has
named Michael
Weidrich as the
BID’s new Executive
Director. Michael
holds a Bachelor
of Fine Arts degree
in Computer Graphics from Syracuse University
and an Advanced Certificate in Educational
Computing with a concentration in Digital Art &
Photography from the College of St. Rose. He
is currently pursuing a certificate in Not-ForProfit Business Management. Many of you know
Michael as the visionary for and the coordinator
of 1st Fridays gallery openings in the Albany
art scene. Michael’s previous experience as an
office manager and technical services advisor
for local consulting, legal and investment firms
will provide the BID with increased management
capability as he undertakes his new duties.
Michael can be reached at the Lark Street BID
offices (245 Lark Street) at 434-3861 x2.
Elaine notes that it’s not
that you need much, “but
you need quality and that’s
what you’ve got here.”
Since moving in right
around the first of the year,
Elaine and Brian have
been making changes to
their new house. The major
task involves moving the
kitchen from the second
floor to the first (the house
was once a two family).
However, most of the
“work” is cosmetic. Elaine
just finished painting
the ornate fireplace and
mantle in the front room,
which took four coats to
cover the old color. She’s
also infusing the old walls
with vibrant new life,
bringing in hues inspired
by the budding trees and
flowers she’d encountered
during walks through the
neighborhood.
One of the fun things
about working on the
house is the fascinating
discovery Brian made
while cleaning some old
shelves in the basement.
There were numerous old
bills and letters from the
late 1800s including several
love letters, addressed to
Ella Warren and signed
George, dated between
1891 and 1896. There was
also a tax and water bill
for 1878-79—taxes, $99.40,
water, $10.
Reflecting on their first
few months in Albany,
Elaine says, “It’s been a
really easy move.”
“It’s been a great one,”
adds Brian.
New BID Board
Elected in May
Officers
Jeffrey Gritsavage, Chairperson
Rob Curry, Vice Chairperson,
Upper Hudson Planned
Parenthood
Lucy Prudencio, Secretary,
Dunkin’ Donuts
Karen Waldron, Treasurer,
Key Bank
Directors
Jerry Aumand, Lionheart Pub
Matthew Badalucco, City
Comptroller’s Appointee
Maude Baum, eba Dance Theatre
Richard Berkley, H/PNA
Hon. Richard Conti, Common
Council Member 6th Ward
John DeJohn, DeJohn’s/
Justin’s/Legends
Brienne Fretto
Terrence Gorman, Mayor’s
Appointee
Bradley Junco, Capital Wine
& Spirits
Kostandin (Dino) Kacani
James Linnan
Summer 2007, CAPITAL Neighbors — 5
St. Anthony’s
Restoration Begins!
By Mac Mowbray
By Tom McPheeters
Parts
Warehouse
Mansion neighborhood residents and
others respond to calls for assistance.
After three years of all-volunteer
work parties at the former St.
Anthony’s church, the first phase of
the rehabilitation plan is well under
way. This spring and summer, roofers,
plumbers and electricians will be
working to prepare the building for its
new use as a community arts center.
Help with the roof work will
come from the City of Albany and the
Mansion Neighborhood Association,
and with substantial grants from the
State of New York for the other work,
Grand Street Community Arts (GSCA)
is closer to being able to occupy our
beautiful old building on Grand Street
at Madison Avenue.
Last month roof repairs were
completed on the south side of the
building where two dilapidated
dormers were rebuilt and an on-going
leak from deteriorated copper flashing
around one of the towers was remedied.
The next step is systems repairs and
replacements, including new electrical,
water and sewer service, and repairs to
the ceiling and floors of the first floor.
After a massive cleaning project, the
building played host to a June 1st Friday
event with 19 artists, entitled Vestuary
Operatics.
We are especially thankful for
help from Council Member Carolyn
McLaughlin and Assemblyman Jack
McEneny. More fund raising will be
Dedication day for the new
bread oven on Wilbur Street
near Grand Street—a tasty
event.
The Parts
Warehouse is
located at:
89 Lexington
Avenue, 465-2987
Hours:
Wednesday–
Friday, noon to
5:00 pm;
Saturday, 9:00
am to 5:00 pm
A vertiable potpourri of new old stuff awaits
your inspection!
A
needed to complete the restoration/
rehabilitation, but we are nonetheless
aiming to occupy part of the building by
January 2008.
GSCA is temporarily operating out
of the lower level of the Howe Library
in the heart of the South End. As such,
our programming is focused on serving
youth in their teenage years when other
programs are scarce but the need is
great. Our aim is to awaken the creative
forces that exist within all of us and, in
so doing, to foster responsible citizenship
and identify potential leaders within our
community.
On another front, we are continuing
to focus on Grand Street by designing
and building a community gathering
space on a vacant lot that faces Grand.
This project is funded by a grant from
the Troy Savings Bank Foundation and
local donors, and includes a functioning
outdoor bread oven. This project has
served as a catalyst for beautifying an
adjacent vacant lot on Grand Street and
Grand Street neighbors are starting to
get involved. Again, we are especially
heartened by the large number of
helping hands that have materialized
to participate in these and other
neighborhood enhancement efforts.
Tips for this Walk & Watch season
1. Please keep your outdoor lights on at night, both in your foyer and under
your steps. The trees are growing quickly, and are blocking light from the
streetlights.
2. Take a moment to trim the low-hanging branches on trees in front of your
home. They are too low if they touch a passer-by’s head or if they are blocking
too much light.
3. If there is graffiti on a mailbox or fence near your home, please report it to
Albany police or paint it over/ remove it yourself. Please don’t let this remain
for long periods of time.
4. Try to spend a few minutes in the evening with a cool drink out on your stoop.
The more people who are out at night, the safer our neighborhoods are for
everyone.
5. Remember to always be aware of your surroundings when you are out-andabout at night.
6. If you notice a streetlight that is not working properly, you can report it online
at National Grid’s (formerly NiMo) website, residential section, with a brief
description of the light and location (pole number if available). Cut and paste
this link into your browser: https://www.nationalgridus.com/niagaramohawk/
account/forms/streetlight.asp
7. Remember to remove all valuables from your car at night or put them out of
sight in the trunk of the vehicle. Remind your visitors to do the same.
8. Any safety concerns? Please reply to the address below.
For more information contact Doug Ebersman, Co-organizer, Lark St. Community
Watch at 449-5069; [email protected].
As you may or may not know, the Parts Warehouse had a sale recently, so we
now have tons of new stuff (not really new, of course). In fact, some of the stuff is
what you would expect but, suffice it to say, it’s different stuff. To us old house
people, it’s always stuff, not merchandise. Merchandise comes from Macy’s and
Penney’s not from the Parts Warehouse.
Anyway, since I’m supposed to give you a preview of what’s available we’ll
start with some doors from the Albany County Court House renovation. These
are collector’s items since some of them have the names of the offices gilded on
the glass. We also have a new collection of l920s claw foot tubs in very good
condition; so they will not last long. If you have a l950s house, we have a mint
green toilet that really needs a home. It’s that famous eye ease green that you older
folks will remember because they used to paint classrooms with it. We have
expanded our free sash supply, because we simply have too many of the common
single light sashes. As I’ve pointed out before, these make excellent greenhouses
for starting plants, as they can be dismantled when no longer needed. In addition
to our traditional free table, we have some nice storm windows and screens.
Measure your windows first and if they fit, they’re all yours. We have some
old-fashioned transfer cases (temporary file drawers) as well. And, we have a
complete l950s bathroom set, the built in type tub, sink and toilet in a great
yellow color.
On another note, we have an early 20th century steamer trunk, big enough
for a body. This would also be useful to sit a television set on, in addition to
providing great extra storage. This particular trunk could use refinishing and the
interior needs repapering, but it’s still a great old trunk.
Of course, we have the usual supply of heating grates, shutters (interior and
exterior) spindles and newel posts and banisters…some curved. We also have
quite a few glass cupboard doors, so all you need is a carpenter to build the
cupboard(s) to fit the doors. And, we have a good supply of radiators, both steam
and hot water. We also have some very old tube-style steam radiators with grill
style tops. These would be great for a late l800s house. And, we still have some
huge metal cornice sections (make an offer).
For your l920s house we have two complete window units; they would be
nice for a living room or dining room. In addition, we have a huge multi-pane
window which would be good for a living room or any room facing a deck or
porch. It is a fixed sash (one that does not open).
Lots of new tiles have come in; some used and some new. All kinds of
plumbing parts for old tubs, sinks and toilets. These are useful when the new
parts will not fit your old-style fixtures. Have you broken your toilet tank top?
It happens! Anyhow, we have lots and lots of them. Don’t just measure the old
one, bring it in to compare, because they are all different. While we are in the
bathroom, stop in for a free bathroom sink. We have quite a few that have not
sold and we would like to get rid of them. But we also have several of the l920s
pedestal sinks that have no rust around the overflow drain. Another freebie, a
stainless steel double kitchen sink with attached drain board (deal for a camp or
basement).
Finally, we have tons of hinges, all sizes and types. Also, plenty of brass and
iron screws for your antique hardware. And we still have that l899 meat grinder
that everyone looks at, but no one buys. They really work well, I know, I have
one just like it. (Now that I think about it, maybe I’ll buy that trunk I mentioned
earlier!). To round out this issue’s items, we’ve got: lots of sash hardware, lifts,
locks, pulleys and weights, an antique cash register, a small gas heater, a mangle
(an automatic ironing machine), and a l930s gas range marbelized in cream and
green.
That’s all for this issue. If you have any questions, call Mark Brogna our super
manager who knows everything about all our great stuff.
But remember, this spring’s old stuff is not the old old stuff, its new old stuff as
I explained at the beginning of this article. So be the first on your block to be able
to boast about the new old stuff in your old house.
The Parts Warehouse is located at:
89 Lexington Avenue, 465-2987
Hours: Wednesday–Friday,noon to 5:00 pm; Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
For all your Parts Warehouse
needs, contact:
Mark Brogna
Manager
Historic Albany Foundation
Architectual Parts Warehouse
89 Lexington Avenue
465-2987
Summer 2007, CAPITAL Neighbors — 6
Capital Happenings
Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau
25 Quackenbush Square; 434-1217; www.albany.org
The Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center is located at the
corner of Broadway and Clinton Avenue. Free parking is
available in the Visitors Center parking lot, adjacent to
Quackenbush Square (off Broadway via Spencer Street).
• Albany Aquaducks Trolleys, through September,
Adults $12 / Seniors $10 / Children 4-12 $6 / Children
under four (seated on adult’s lap) free. Hop on board
an Albany Trolley to enjoy a narrated tour of New
York’s Capital City. One ticket is good to ride all day,
if you wish. Get the overview of Albany on a onehour tour or enjoy the sites by exercising the option of
getting off and re-boarding at any time during the day
at one of the 18 Trolley stops on the tour. For updated
schedules of tour departures, contact Albany Aqua
Ducks at 518-462-DUCK (3825).
Albany Institute of History & Art
125 Washington Avenue; 463-4478;
www.albanyinstitute.org
• Luminosity: The Paintings of Stephen Hannock, June
16-August 26. Albany-born artist Stephen Hannock
is one of the foremost contemporary American neoromantic painters. His carefully crafted landscape
paintings are renowned for their magnificent luminous
qualities. Using his signature process of polishing
the painted surface, Hannock renders pure iridescent
reflections of light from the surface of his paintings.
• Parallel Passages: Lynn Davis at the Sites of Frederic
E. Church, June 16-September 2. The exhibition
examines parallels in subject matter and expeditions
between the 21st century photographer, Lynn Davis
and the 19th century Hudson River School painter
Frederic Edwin Church, both of who are known for
their tours around the globe. The show includes
several text passages from Church’s letters that
reference the historically significant monuments and
landscapes that are the subjects of Lynn Davis’ large
format photography.
Albany Public Library
161 Washington Ave., 427-4300
www.albanypubliclibrary.org
• Computer Camp, Main Library, July 16-20, 9:00
am–3:00 pm. A unique program designed to help
children learn more about computers and enjoy
fun programming from a variety of community
organizations. Registration for Computer Camp runs
through Friday, June 29. Families who are residents
of the City of Albany may register children between
the ages of 9 and 14. For information about registering
your child for Computer Camp at the Main Library,
call 427-4310 or visit the Children’s Room to pick up
an application. Computer Camp will also be offered at
the Howe Branch Library. See the Howe calendar or
call 472-9485 for information about Computer Camp at
Howe.
Alive at 5 – Albany’s premier free outdoor concert series
Enjoy a summer Thursday night at Albany Riverfront
Park with hot music, delicious food, cold beverages
and great friends. Opening band begins at 5:00 pm, the
headliner takes the stage at 6:30.
• Oldies Night, June 7, Featuring: Felix Cavaleri’s
Rascals / Opening Band: Happenings
• Soul Music Night, June 14, Featuring: Ruben Studdard
/ Opening Band: Soul Session
• 80’s Music Night, June 21, Featuring: ASIA / Opening
Band: Hector on Stilts
• San Francisco Rock Night, June 28, Featuring: Jefferson
Starship / Opening Band: Quicksilver Messenger Service
• Irish Music Night, July 12, Featuring: Cherish the
Ladies / Opening Band: Hair of the Dog
• R & B Night, July 19, Featuring: Charlie Thomas’
Drifters / Opening Band: Dr. K’s Motown Revue; Body
& Soul featuring Jill Hughes
• Capital Region Rock Night, July 26, Featuring: The
Refrigerators / Opening Band: Slick Fitty
• Summer Brass Night, August 2, Featuring: Beginnings
– The Premiere Chicago Tribute Band / Opening Band:
Mingo Fishtrap
• Latin Rock Night, August 9, Featuring: Los Lobos /
Opening Band: Los Straitjackets
• Celtic Rock Night, August 16, Featuring: Greenwich
Meantime and Rathkeltair / Opening Band: Flynn 529
Summer 2007 At the Plaza!
• June 20, 5:00–8:00 pm. At The Plaza Kick-off Party
featuring Mark Gamsjager and the Lustre Kings at the
Sign of the Tree
• July 4, 2:00 pm–10:00 pm. Price Chopper’s Fabulous 4th
on the Plaza featuring Joan Osborne
• July 11, 5:00 pm–10:00 pm. Blues Night featuring
Koko Taylor & Her Blues Machine with Blues Caravan
featuring Sue Foley, Deborah Coleman and Roxanne
Potvin, Sean Costello, No Outlet
• July 15, noon –5:00 pm. GE Kids’Day featuring
Arthur’s Wonderful Kind of Storytime with “D.W.”
and Paige Turner
• July 18, 6:00 pm–10:00 pm. Swing Night featuring The
Duke Ellington Orchestra with Lavay Smith & Her Red
Hot Skillet Lickers and Doc Scanlon
Compiled
by
Colleen
Ryan
• August 1, 6:00 pm–10:00 pm. Chase Presents Classic
Rock featuring Eric Burdon & the Animals with Rare
Earth, Shana Morrison
• August 8, 11:00 am –10:00 pm. Food Festival Featuring
Dickey Betts & Great Southern, Shooter Jennings, Matt
Mirabile & Alison Jacobs, Lunch with Mark Gamsjager
and the Lustre Kings
• August 22, 5:00 pm–10:00 pm. Celtic Night Featuring
Saw Doctors, Glengarry Bhoys, The Prodigals
Capital Rep
111 No. Pearl Street; 445-SHOW; www.capitalrep.org
Menopause: The Musical. June 13-July 29, by Jeanie
Linders. Hot flashes, night sweats, bloating, irritability,
insomnia and itchy skin interspersed with uncontrollable
fits of laughter mean one thing—you must be
experiencing Menopause: The Musical. This hilarious show
about the “change of life” might change your life. Four
women meet in the lingerie department at Bloomingdale’s
and, before long, they realize they have more than one
thing in common. They celebrate with such side-splitting
song parodies such as Change, Change, Change; Stayin’
Awake/Night Sweatin’; My Husband Sleeps Tonight; Puff, My
God, I’m Draggin’ and, of course, We’re Havin’ a Heat Wave.
This one is for all the red hot mamas! (Call for times/
pricing.)
eba Center for Dance & Fitness
351 Hudson Avenue; 459-9916; www.eba-arts.org
• Summer Session of classes for Adults & Teens,
July 9–August 1. Visit the website for a complete list
of classes & schedule. Contact: Jenn Newman, eba
administrator; [email protected]
• Kids Dancspace @ eba's Summer Day Camp, July
23–27 or July 30–August 3, 8:00 am-4:30 pm. New
this year, the eba Theater for GREASE Musical Dance
Theatre Summer Day Camp for boys and girls ages
7-12. This summer, Campers will explore Grease - The
Musical and make dances, music, dramatic skits, arts
and crafts, costuming, props, and creative media.
Campers will be taught by professional eba Dance
Theatre Performing/Teaching Artists and invited
guests. eba Artists will lead campers on artistic
explorations, creating all the components needed
for a performance. Each day includes classes and
creative workshops; 2 snack breaks, a rest/read
time, and lunch in Washington Park. Full or partial
scholarships are available through Kids Dancspace @
eba’s Scholarship fund.
The Egg
473-1845; www.theegg.org
American Roots & Branches
• Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble, June 29,
8:00 pm, $58.50. Featuring The Levon Helm
Band and Special Guests. The legendary
drummer of The Band is back and singing!
The one and only Levon Helm takes his
“Midnight Ramble” on the road and stops at
The Egg for an evening of blues, rock & roll
and classic songs from The Band, one of the
most influential groups in rock history. Meet
Levon Helm after the show! A limited number of
premium tickets available at $125!
• Buddy Guy, July 18, 8:00 pm, $36.50. A
bona-fide blues legend and one of the most
influential guitarists of all time, Buddy Guy
is a five time Grammy Award winner and
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, known
for his soulful singing and electrifying
performances.
Cabaret Shows
Poetry
Comedy
Hip-Hop
Live Music
Patio is open!
Open 7 days
a week
Serving food
from 11 am
till 2 am
“Where good neighbors meet”
453 Madison Avenue, 463-9779
Upstate Artists Guild
247 Lark Street; www.upstateartistsguild.org;
426-3501
• 1st Friday, July 6, August 3, see website for
locations.
• Black & White, UAG Gallery Show, July 627. The UAG Gallery is proud to announce a
new juried exhibition for the month of July
that aims to broaden people’s perceptions
by limiting their color palette. This show
is designed to encourage the artist to
concentrate the expression of their visions
to the two opposing colors and step outside
of their normal comfort zone of expression.
Those who attend will be encouraged to join
in with the theme and dress in black and
white.
Summer 2007, CAPITAL Neighbors — 7
Historic Albany Foundation
465-0876; www.historic-albany.org
• Walkabout Wednesdays, $5 members / $10 nonmembers. Want to learn more about the buildings
and people of Albany’s historic neighborhoods?
Then join Historic Albany Foundation for Walkabout
Wednesdays! Local historian Tony Opalka will lead
you back in time for this walking tour series. Each tour
begins at 5:30 pm with a brief lecture and slideshow,
and ends at approximately 7:00 pm. Space is limited so
reservations are required, call 465-0876 x10.
— June 20, Mansion Neighborhood Tour, Meet at
Mansion Hill Inn & Restaurant, 115 Philip Street.
— July 18, Capitol Hill Tour, Meet at the State
Education Building, 89 Washington Avenue.
— August 15, Ten Broeck Triangle Tour, Meet at
Ten Broeck Mansion, 9 Ten Broeck Place.
Senior Services of Albany
Louise Corning Center, 25 Delaware Avenue; 465-3325;
www.seniorservicesofalbany.com
Bus trips are not just for seniors anymore! This non-profit
organization has been dedicated to enhancing the quality
of life and fostering independence for all older adults and
their caregivers for more than 55 years.
• Glimmerglass Opera and Lunch at the Otesaga
Hotel (Cooperstown), August 7, $140 per person.
The mission of Glimmerglass Opera is “to produce
new, little known and familiar operas and works
of musical theater in innovative productions that
capitalize on the intimacy and natural setting of
the Alice Busch Opera Theater.” This trip features
a performance of Offenbach’s Orpheus in the
Underworld, an operetta that takes an irreverent
view of the Orpheus myth. Glimmerglass Opera’s
2007 production of Orpheus in the Underworld will
be sung in English with projected titles. Lunch will
be at the Otesaga, which features an imaginative
and varied menu each day, emphasizing foods from
central New York. This year it celebrates its there 98th
season. Roundtrip transportation provided by Yankee
Trails. Depart Louise Corning Center, 25 Delaware
Ave., at 9:45 am and return at approximately 5:30 pm.
To reserve your seat, contact Heather at 465-3322.
• Yankee Trails Bus Trip to Wildwood (NJ), September
9-13, $328 per person (triple) and up. Package
includes 4 nights deluxe accommodations at The
Royal Canadian, all meals, entertainment, trip to
Cape May Zoo, sightseeing boat trip, much more. $75
deposit required to reserve seat, 106 available.
WAMC Performing Arts Studio
339 Central Avenue; 1-800-323-9262; www.wamcarts.org
• The Duhks, June 21, 8:00 pm, $18. For four years
now, The Duhks, a band of five skilled, high-energy,
tattooed twenty-somethings from Winnipeg, Manitoba,
have been riveting audiences and winning staunch
fans across North America with their blend of soul,
gospel, North American folk, Brazilian samba, old
time country string band, zydeco, and Irish dance
music. The Duhks self-titled release in 2005 won them
universal acceptance as the up-and-coming neo folkrock band.
• Crazy Sexy Cancer, June 29, 8:00 pm, $7. “Crazy Sexy
Cancer” is an irreverent and uplifting documentary
about a young woman looking for a cure and finding
her life. Weeks after she was diagnosed, filmmaker
Kris Carr began documenting her story. Taking
a seemingly tragic situation and turning it into a
creative expression, Kris shares her wild journey
with exuberance, humor and sass. Kris is an awardwinning actress, a photographer and writer. This is
her first feature length documentary after working in
shorts and the theater. Following the screening of the
documentary, special guest Kris Carr will
lead a Q & A with the audience. Presented
by the Hudson Valley Programmers Group and
The Woodstock Film Festival.
48A Dove Street
from page 3
fall off and had to be redone. Finally the crew had
to install a steel beam through the center of the
building to completely stabilize it.
The interior floor plan has been left intact with
the exception of the top floor, which was one huge
bedroom but now is two bedrooms with a hallway
running between them. (Because much of the
original interior detail was lost when the building
was converted to apartments in the 1940s or in the
fire of 1976 and its aftermath, the interior has been
rehabilitated rather than restored.)
Petrosino figures it will take another four to six
weeks just to finish the exterior work. Key among
the tasks to be completed are installation of a new
roof including original slate and copper elements.
The existing roof from the 1970s redo is totally
rotted, probably, in part, because it was installed
over burned timbers. There is also damage to the
north wall that must be tended to. And so the
restoration is still some weeks away from being an
accomplished fact.
As to Petrosino, himself, Paul is the founder
and CEO of Integrated Liner Technologies (ILT),
which is located on South Pearl Street and employs
about 60 people. Although his principle residence
is in Schoharie, he and his family expect to spend
substantial time in the Dove Street house, where
he hopes to entertain customers and business
associates as well.
An RIT graduate, Petrosino started his business
in his basement ten years ago and moved from
there to the RPI Incubator Program before reestablishing the business on South Pearl Street. He
holds a patent on a bonding process that allows
elastomeric compounds to bond with glass and
plastic containers (like those used in vials for blood
testing) which is an integral part of his business.
(See www.iltusa.com for more information about the
company.) Petrosino and his wife, Lori, the principal
of Middleburgh High School, have two children,
ten and eight years of age “who love spending time
in the Dove Street house and in the surrounding
neighborhood.”
So what’s next for Petrosino? “Although I didn’t
undertake the Dove Street project to make money,
I’m clearly in it for the long run because I know it
will be a long time before I can reasonably expect a
return on my investment.” In the meanwhile, “Yes,
I’d love to do another restoration. It’s fascinating and
Sources:
New York State Men, James Manning
Style Follows Function-Architecture of Marcus T.
Reynolds, Eugene J. Johnson
Albany Architecture, Edited by Diana S. Waite
Historic Albany Foundation
Records at Albany Rural Cemetery
Note:
Louise Carpenter Ryder died November 14,
1949.
AAHO
Supports
Capital Neighbors!
Albany Area Housing Opportunities
246 Hudson Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
434-8584
DIRECTORY OF CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
For up-to-date information on
events and programs, phone or
check the organization’s Web site.
Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, 25
Quackenbush Square; 434-0405; www.albany.org. Albany Institute of History and Art, 125
Washington Avenue; 463-4478; www.
albanyinstitute.org.
Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Avenue;
427-4300; www.albanypubliclibrary.org.
Albany Symphony Orchestra, 19 Clinton Avenue;
465-4663; www.albanysymphony.com.
Capital Rep, 111 North Pearl Street; 473-SHOW;
www.capitalrep.org.
eba Dance Theater, 351 Hudson Avenue; 459-9916;
www.eba-arts.org.
The Egg, Empire State Plaza; 473-1845; www.
theegg.org.
Historic Albany Foundation, 89 Lexington
Avenue; 465-0876; www.historic-albany.org.
Historic Cherry Hill, 523½ South Pearl Street; 4344791; www.historiccherryhill.com.
New York State Museum, Cultural Education
Center; 474-5877; www.nysm.nysed.gov.
New York State Writers Institute, SUNY at
Albany; 442-5620; www.albany.edu/writers-inst.
Palace Theater, 19 Clinton Avenue; 465-4663.
Pepsi Arena, 51 South Pearl Street; 476-1000;
www.pepsiarena.com.
Schuyler Mansion, 32 Catherine Street; 434-0834.
Ten Broeck Mansion, 9 Ten Broeck Place; 4369826; www.tenbroeck.org.
Summer 2007, CAPITAL Neighbors — 8
Antiques/Art/Collectibles/ Framing/Jewelry/Upholstery
Business Guide
28 Dove St. Limited, 28 Dove St., 432-1648. Antiques and collectibles.
Advocacy Center Art & Crafts Gallery,
247 Lark St.
ALPRO Antique & Lighting, 227 Lark St.,
434-3363. Chandeliers/lamps, rewired/repaired,
houseware polishing.
Flamingo’s, 211 Lark St., 434-3829. Antiques and
collectibles.
Madison Art & Antiques, 460 Madison Ave.,
465-3735. Buying and selling.
National Upholstery, 231 Lark St., 434-1458. Upholstery and gift shop; locally produced textile crafts.
Old World Antiques, 330 Madison Ave.,
766-2982, www.oldworld antiques.com.
The End of the Day, 221 Lark St., 434-3236. Antiques
and specialty tea shop.
Treasure Chest, 295 Hamilton St., 449-7119. Thrift
store.
Arts/Entertainment
eba Center for Dance & Movement,
351 Hudson Ave., 465-9916.
Automotive/Appliances
Beaver Body & Paint, 9 Garden Alley, 463-7044.
Since 1937.
Capitol Tech Auto Repair, 169 Jefferson St.,
432-7781. ASE certified, foreign/domestic.
Dunbrook Mobil, 442 Madison Ave., 434-6324.
Full service.
Miller’s Corner Garage, 30 Park Ave., 426-8329.
Beauty/Hair Salons
Absolute Hair, 225 Lark St., 432-4925.
Crews, 295 Hamilton St., 448-7360. Hair salon.
DeeVa Nails, 132 Madison Ave.
Elan Hair Studio, 309 Hamilton St., 427-7777.
Hair Werks, 173 S. Pearl St.
Headlines Ltd., 248 Lark St., 434-0299. Haircutting
salon.
Hudson Hair Studio, 298 Hudson Ave., 445-9644.
Jonathan’s of Atlanta Hair Design, 177 S. Pearl St.,
449-4153.
Mahogany, 109 Greenl St., 465-8018.
Perfect Cut, 299 Lark St., 434-3277.
Spring Break Tanning, 454 Madison Ave., 433-0595.
Stancil’s Barber Shop, 114 Madison Ave.,
463-6111. Specializing in Afro hair processing.
Super DX, Inc., 189 S. Pearl St.
The 3-Star Barber Shop, 193 S. Pearl St.
Townsend & Company Hair Salon, 153 S. Swan St.,
449-1535.
Bed & Breakfast
Angel’s Cafe and B&B, 96 Madison Ave., 426-4104,
www.angelsbedandbreakfast.com. Unique
urban inn.
Mansion Hill Inn, 115 Philip St. at Park Ave.,
465-2038. An urban inn and restaurant.
State Street Mansion, 281 State St., 462-6780.
Serving continental breakfast.
The State House, 393 State St., 427-6063. Casually
elegant private accommodations.
Beer/Liquor/Convenience Stores Capital Wine & Spirits, 348 Lark St., 434-5776. International selection of premium wines.
Diana Discount Wine & Liquor, 67 Grand St.,
449-3840.
Empire News, 10 Delaware Ave., 462-1543.
Imperial InstaMart, 191 Lark St., 462-1260.
Lark News & Grocery, 252 Lark St., 465-5800.
N&H Grocery, 218 Lark St., 436-0484.
Terry’s News, 302 Lark St., 432-0331.
Books
Dove & Hudson Old Books, 296 Hudson Ave.,
432-4518. Used books and publishers overstocks.
Hodge Podge Books, 272 Lark St., 434-0238.
“Reading is fun.”
Churches
Cathedral of All Saints, 62 S. Swan St., 465-1342,
fax 465-1346, e-mail [email protected].
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Corner
of Eagle St. and Madison Ave., 463-4447. All are
welcome.
First Lutheran Church, 181 Western Ave., 463-1326;
www.firstlutheranalbany.org. Oldest Lutheran
Congregation in North America.
The Focus Churches:
• Emmanuel Baptist, 275 State St., 465-5161
• First Presby., 362 State St., 449-7332
• Israel AME, 381 Hamilton St., 463-8779
• MCC/Hudson Valley, 275 State St., 785-7941
• Trinity Methodist, 235 Lark St., 463-1293
• Westminster Presby., 262 State St., 436-8544
Metropolitan Community Church, 275 State St.
St. Paul’s Evangelical Luthern Church, 475 State St.,
463-0571, www.Luther95.net/SPELC-ANYI>
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 107 State Street.,
434-3502,
Wilborn Temple, 121 Jay St., 465-7561.
Clothing
Capital Kidzwear, 204 Washington Ave., 708-0842.
Affordable children’s apparel and accessories.
DAval’s Clothiers, Inc., 153 South Pearl St, 2211405. “Rebirth of Style.” Off-site consultations.
Shining Star, 244 Lark St., 465-5520. Contemporary
clothing, gifts, incense club.
The Waldorf Tuxedo Company, Lark/Lancaster Sts.,
449-5011. Formal wear sales and rentals.
Unique Blends, 116 Madison Ave., 432-7495.
Dry Cleaning/ Laundromats/Tailors
Dan’s Cleaners, 284 Lark St., 465-7519.
Quality dry cleaning.
Dove St. Laundromat, Corner Dove and Lancaster
Sts. Self-service.
In-Towne Laundry, 14 Delaware Ave., 462-9313.
Drop-off service available.
Mansion Hill Laundromat, 167 Madison Ave.
Rocco’s, 220 Lark St., 426-4843. Laundromat, shoe
repair and keys.
Speed-Wash, 451 Madison Ave. Do-it-yourself
Laundromat.
Nutrition Consortium, 235 Lark St., 463-1293.
Senior Services of Albany, 25 Delaware Ave.,
465-3322.
Resource Center, Inc., 291 Hudson Ave., 463-9242
or 800-811-1175. NYS advocate on mental health
services.
Professional Services
Advantage Communications, 393 Hamilton St., 4630668. Writing and design.
Association of Architects, 235 Lark St., 449-3334.
Becker & Becker, 21 Wilbur St., 462-5814. Attorneys
and counselors at law.
Brownstone Graphics, 303 Hudson Ave., 434-8707.
Graphic design.
Frank A. Catalano, 154 Madison Ave., 432-5810.
Attorney at law.
Center for Body/Mind Awareness, 4 Central Ave,
463-5145.
Center Square Counseling Services, 245 Lark St.,
465-9700.
Harder, Silber & Bergen, 275½ Lark St.,
462-5588. Law offices.
Key Bank of New York, Lark St. & Washington Ave.
463-1228; 135 S. Pearl St., 453-1637.
Math Tutoring, Christina Blais, 148 Lancaster St.,
427-6284. From fractions to Course A and GED.
Metroland, 419 Madison Ave., 463-2500. Alternative
news weekly.
National Education Association of NY, 217 Lark St.,
462-6451.
New York International Real Estate Corp., 138
Green St., 434-1481, [email protected]. Property
management and brokerage.
NYS Association of Architects/American Institute of
Architects, 235 Lark St., 465-3191.
NYS Chiropractic Association, 245 Lark St., 455-8817.
Lewis Oliver, Jr., Esq, 156 Madison Ave., 463-7962.
Pastures Village Chiropractic, 111 Green St.,
436-8053.
Picasso Digital, 463-3396. Document scanning,
print/copy, photography, Web page design.
Plaza Office Center, Corner of S. Swan St. and
Hudson Ave., 465-3995. Office rental, voice mail,
fax, copying, typing services.
Prudential Manor Homes Realtors, 283 Lark St.,
439-4943.
Randall E. Kehoe, 127 Madison Ave., 465-2211.
Attorneys at law.
Robin’s Nest Construction & Renovation, 9 Bleecker
Place, 449-2935. Custom carpentry, tile, furniture,
doors/windows/trim and more.
Select Homes, 869-2222 x212. Eileen Carroll Rosen,
licensed sales associate.
The College Board, 125 S. Swan St., 472-1515, Brian
Petraitis, Director.
The Center for Nia and Yoga, 4 Central Ave., 3645145, www.nia-yoga.com.
Specialty Shops
99 Cents and More, 141 S. Pearl St., 436-7618.
Albany Tattoo, 174 Madison Ave., 463-6604.
Cottage Herb Farm Shop, 311 State St.,
465-1130. Herbs, spices, rare teas and gifts.
Elissa Halloran Designs, 225 Lark St., 432-7090.
Funky designs for the body and the home.
Joanna Hetman, Jewelry Artist, 211 Lark St., 4343829.
Family Store II, 418 Madison Ave., 436-7173. All
your Afro-centric needs.
Lark Street Tattoo, 274 Lark St., 432-1905. Custom
tattooing in all styles.
Little Moon, 467 Madison Ave., 434-6018. Tibetan
gift shop.
Romeo’s Gifts, 299 Lark St., 434-4014. Beauty and
style made affordable.
Simple Gifts, 20 Elm St. 465-0582.
Silver Fox, 302 Lark St., 265-1836. Architectural
salvage, art, antiques and items made from salvage
material.
Viva Lark Vegas, 278 Lark St. Professional body
piercing.
Sports The Downtube, 466 Madison Ave., 434-1711.
Bicycles for the entire family.
Universal Martial Arts & Fitness Center, 116
Madison Ave., 427-6308.
YMCA/Capital District/Albany Branch, 274
Washington Avenue, 449-7196; www.cdymca.org.
Building strong kids, families and communities.
Flowers
Lark St. Flower Market, 262 Lark St., 427-9466. “We
push petals.”
Dental/Medical
Bert Isen, 16 Delaware Ave., 434-4408. Chiropractic
services for children and adults; accept most
insurance.
Abdul Khan, 25 Dove St., 463-0522. Dentist
Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, 259 Lark St.,
434-5678.
Not-for-Profit Organizations/ Public Service
Albany Area Housing Opportunities,
246 Hudson Ave., 434-8584.
Albany Center Galleries, 161 Washington Ave.,
462-4775, www.albanycentergalleries.org.
Exhibiting regional contemporary art.
Albany Damien Center, 12 S. Lake Ave.,
449-7119. Drop-in community center for persons
living with HIV/AIDS — call for event calendar.
Boys & Girls Club, 19 Delaware Ave., 462-5528.
Neil Breslin, NYS Senate, 455-2225.
Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community
Council, 332 Hudson Ave., 462-6138.
Children’s Defense Fund, 247 Lark St.
Dominick Calsolaro, Council Member, 463-3356.
Richard Conti, Council Member, 436-8546.
Carolyn McLaughlin, Council Member, 462-1458
Environmental Advocates, 353 Hamilton St.,
462-5526.
Equinox Community Services, Inc., 95 Central Ave.,
tel 434-6135, fax 434-4502.
Historic Albany Foundation/Historic Albany Parts
Warehouse, 83-89
Lexington Ave., 465-2987.
Housing Works, 247 Lark
St. Housing for homeless
people living with AIDS/HIV.
Lark Street Neighborhood
District Management
Association, 245 Lark St.,
434-3861. The Heart of
Albany.
Maternal Infant Network
of the Capital Region, 307
Hamilton St., 426-1153.
Jack McEneny, NYS
Assembly, 455-4178.
National Committee to
Prevent Child Abuse (NYS),
134 S. Swan St., 436-5889.
New York Library
Association, 252 Hudson
Ave., 432-6952.
New York Coalition for
Alternatives to Pesticides,
353 Hamilton St., 426-8246.
NYS Association of Black &
Puerto Rican Legislators,
174 S. Swan St., 427-8363.
NYS Coalition for the
Aging, Inc., 244 Hudson
Ave., 465-0641.
NYS Tenant &
Neighborhood Information
Service, 248 Hudson Ave.,
465-1813.
Dining Guide:
Albany Coffee Shop, 222 Lark St., 465-9029. Sam’s
home cooking, featuring breakfast and lunch. Amazing Wok, 267 Lark St., 434-3946. Chinese
take-out food. Angelo’s Submarine, 133 Madison Ave., 463-1357. Submarine sandwiches.
Angel’s Café and B&B, 96 Madison Ave., 426-4104. Breakfast/luncheon. Antica Enoteca Old World Wine Bar, 200 Lark St. European style wines and lite fare. A Taste of Greece, 193
Lark St., 426-9000. Ben & Jerry’s, 250 Lark St., 463-7182. Ice cream cakes for all occasions.
Bombers Burrito Bar, 258 Lark St., 463-9636. Serving enormous burritos, tacos, quesadillas
and chili. Bongiorno’s Restaurant, 23 Dove St., 462-9176. Veal is the house specialty. Café
Capriccio, 49 Grand St., 465-0439. Northern Italian. Café Hollywood, 275 Lark St., 472-9043.
Albany’s fun and funky video bar. Cheesecake Machismo, 293 Hamilton St., 427-7019, 4299012. Corner Food Court, Corner Lark St. and Washington Ave., 463-8811. Variety of cuisines.
Debbie’s Kitchen, 456 Madison Ave., 463-3829. Unique sandwiches, soups and baked goods.
DeJohn’s Restaurant and Pub, 288 Lark St., 465-5275. Dunkin Donuts, Corner Lark St. &
Madison Ave., 436-5297. Donuts and coffee. Elda’s On Lark, 207 Lark St., 449-3532. El Loco
Mexican Café, 465 Madison Ave., 436-1855. Traditional Mexican specialties. El Mariachi,
289 Hamilton St., 432-7580; 144 Washington Ave., 465-2568. Fine Mexican/Spanish cuisine.
Golden Dragon, 145 Madison Ave., 433-8057. Chinese take-out. Grand St. Imports, 77 Grand
St., 465-8465. Fresh meats, produce and groceries. Hoda Deli, 130 Madison Ave. Ike’s
Pizzeria, 189 Lark St., 462-1111. Brooklyn style brick oven pizza and more. Hill Street Café,
180 Madison Ave., 462-3544. A sports bar with great food. Hot Dog Heaven, 216 Lark St.,
465-3837. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. J.G.’s Pizza, 195 Lark St., 465-1922. Traditional,
white and gourmet pizza. Justin’s, 301 Lark St., 436-7008. Extraordinary food, jazz and art.
Lark Street Deli & Catering, 196 Lark St., 436-9396. Specialty sandwiches. Lark Tavern,
453 Madison Ave., 463-9779. Hot and cold sandwiches. Legends Sports Bar, 288 Lark St.,
275-4900. Big screen TVs with pub fare. Lombardo’s Restaurant, 119-121 Madison Ave., 4629180. Fine Italian food. Magnolias On The Park, 462 Madison Ave., 449-2492. Fine dining at
affordable prices. Mamoun’s Mideast Café, 206 Washington Ave., 434-3901. Mediterranean
cuisine. Mansion Hill Inn, 115 Philip St., 465-2038. Maria’s Spanish Food, 185½ Lark St.,
472-9429. McGuire’s, 353 State St., 463-2100. Fine Dining. Metro Mini Mart, 165 Madison
Ave., 449-1491. Groceries, deli and ATM. Mezzo Market & Eatery, 340 Hamilton St., 463-6240.
New Image Deli, 179 S. Pearl St., 463-5439. Oh Bar, 304 Lark St., 463-9004. An alternative
neighborhood bar. Pinto and Hobbs, State and Dove Sts., 426-4900. American cuisine. Price
Chopper Supermarket, 40 Delaware Ave., 465-2603. Open 24 hours. Ramona’s, 290 Lark St.,
449-2010. Open 7 days, breakfast and lunch. Romeo’s Pizza, 420 Madison Ave., 449-9000.
Scratch Bakery & Café, 452 Madison Ave., 465-2233. Fresh baked goods and deli. Simply
Fish, 147 S. Pearl St., 396-3474. Soho Pizza, 269 Lark St., 449-1111. Greenwich Village
style brick oven pizza and more. Stephanie’s Deli, 145 Madison Ave., 432-4540. Sukkothai,
254 Lark St., 463-0223. Thai food restaurant. Stella Del Mare, 123 Madison Ave., 434-0310.
Groceries, deli, Italian specialties. Taj Mahal Restaurant, 193 Lark St., 426-9000. Authentic
Indian cuisine. The Daily Grind, 204 Lark St., 434-1482. Full café menu with great coffee. The
Lionheart Blues Café, 448 Madison Ave., 436-9530. The New Madison Grill, 331 Madison
Ave., 434-1938. “Best pizza in town.” Totem, 271 Lark St., 432-6610. V & R Restaurant, 136
Madison Ave., 626-0001. Italian, daily specials. Zuzu’s Wonderful Life, Inc., 299-301 Hamilton
St., 426-1269. Healthy snacks/salads.