Spring Spree poster

Frank Smith of Frank Smith Signs on New Scotland Avenue has again generously created the poster for Saturday's Spring Spree, creating original artwork depicting scenes of busy activity in our neighborhood. Look for these signs while patronizing our businesses this week!

(artwork by Frank Smith)

Don't forget, Spring Spree is this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (rain date is May 17).
 

Magnolia sweep

With the wet weather yesterday and the cold today, here's a reminder of the glorious weather we had last week, an afternoon sweep scene in front of St. Teresa of Avila…

Music at Spring Spree

Spring Spree is again fortunate to have talented musicians performing throughout this neighborhood event.

At the corner of Grove and New Scotland avenues:

• George Doody and Jimmy Kelly will open the event from 11 a.m. to noon.
• Family Dancing with TuneFolk, featuring Sue and Jim Mead from noon to 1 p.m.
• Musical mix from your fellow neighbors from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
  

In front of Isn't It Sweet, across from St. Peter's Hospital, on New Scotland Avenue:

• Double Progression, featuring Tom Smith and Patricia Kernan

Spring Spree, now in its fourth year, celebrates the valued New Scotland Avenue businesses between Academy Road and South Manning Boulevard. This year's Spring Spree will also celebrate the 100th birthday of the neighborhood. Click to read the Spring Spree posts.
 

Albany National League opens its 57th season

The Albany National League, the city's original Little League, opened its 57th season this morning with a parade and ceremony at the William Sullivan Major League Field off Partridge Street.

Two hundred and seventy-five children from ages 5 to 12 participate in the league's five divisions. After a week of gorgeous weather, the parade stepped off from Ontario Street behind a mounted police officer and city fire engine under somewhat overcast skies. But by the time the marchers came down Woodlawn, turned right onto Partridge and then made their way to the edge of the infield for the ceremony, the sun broke through.

National League president Anthony Fratianni welcomed the crowd, which included coaches, parents, siblings, grandparents, friends and the minor league ValleyCats' mascot, Southpaw.
Mayor Jerry Jennings threw out the first pitch to Trey Thomas, a 12-year-old catcher. Fourteenth Ward councilman Joe Igoe and city Parks and Recreation commissioner John D’Antonio threw out the second and third pitches.

Dante Thomas, age 10, Trey's brother, closed the ceremony with a rousing rendition of "God Bless America."

The league was founded in 1951 by Joe Leone.

Upcoming Neighborhood Dates of Interest

• Saturday, April 26, 10:00 am to 11:30 am: Annual Plant Sale at 51 Lawnridge Ave. Use Helderberg Ave. entrance. Call 482-9813 for information.
• Saturday, April 26, 7:00 am to 1:00 pm: Free Earth Day Electronic and Room Air Conditioner Drop-off Day. Location: Taft Furniture, 1960 Central Ave., Albany. Call 434-CITY for information and to get your coupon to attend the collection.
• Tuesday, April 29: Spring Clean-up. Trash should be placed curbside after 7 pm the evening before. No hazardous waste products.
• Saturday, May 3, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (Rain date May 17): Spring Spree on New Scotland Avenue.
• Wednesday, May 21, 7:00-9:00 pm: HNA meeting at Sage College, Campus Center. Topic: Lead paint in homes in the 12208 zip code area.

In the papers

The Times Union reported this morning that Columbia Development plans to add a five-story office building near Albany Med in neighboring Park South. If the Planning board approves, the building is expected to rise at the at the southeast corner of New Scotland and Myrtle avenues (Times Union link).

The Board of Zoning Appeals approved Columbia's plans on Wednesday (PDF link). The TU's story also recaps the recent developments in that area, including the addition of the a hotel with ground-floor retail and a bar/restaurant last year, and the Albany Local Development Corp's receipt of $3.3 million in state funding to build on the northeast corner of New Scotland and Myrtle.

Also, Albany Med in February announcement plans to expand its facility. Around that same time, AMC also announced plans to add more jobs this year (Daily Gazette links).

The Times Union's Business blog, The Buzz, notes that Columbia Development's plans are not part of Albany Med's February announcement. Nevertheless, the TU's news story notes that AMC might locate some administrative offices there.
 

New & Improved Spring Spree!!

This year's Spring Spree on New Scotland Avenue will feature two fun new activities aimed at getting more kids and adults involved.

Look for the big red tent on Grove Avenue (north) near the Laundromat for a Small/Home Businesses "Meet & Greet" coffee hour. If you are a writer, an artist, a realtor, a computer consultant or perhaps a building contractor working out of your “home office,” we want to meet YOU! The Helderberg and New Scotland/Woodlawn Neighborhood Associations want to include small and home-office based businesses in this year’s Spring Spree business-appreciation event! So please come out and join us for a “coffee break” and get to know and network with other self-employers right in your own backyard.

(Coffee to be generously supplied by Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks)

But that is not ALL! What could be better than flowering tree-lined sidewalks, tulip gardens and the hustle and bustle of busy independent businesses? How about an art exhibition of local neighborhood kids artwork displayed in the storefront windows of our treasured "Main Street." This year's Spring Spree will incorporate an art exhibition — transforming the sidewalk into an art gallery.

BUT WE NEED ARTWORK!! Calling all kids of all ages.

Please submit a favorite piece of artwork to be displayed. Or better yet, make one at our free art workshop on Sunday, April 27, in the garage of 95 Grove Avenue. Suggested themes are: Spring in the City, Life in the Neighborhood, or Happy Birthday to the Helderberg Neighborhood.

For any info on either of the new events, call Kim at 458-8942 or kakonrad@aol.com.

Route 85 delays

Outbound commuters might be interested in this: Route 85 is expected to be down to one lane in each direction through mid-May, as work on the bridge over Berkshire Boulevard continues, according to the New York State DOT.
 

'Spring Spree' returns on May 3

The Helderberg and Woodlawn Neighborhood Associations are holding their fourth annual “Spring Spree” on Saturday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event celebrates the valued New Scotland Avenue businesses between Academy Road and South Manning Boulevard. This year's Spring Spree will also celebrate the 100th birthday of the neighborhood.

This free event consists of a local business trivia "treasure hunt" in which participants visit with business owners, enjoy promotions, and enter a treasure hunt to win more than $600 of business gift packages.

Other fun activities include a children's art show and chalk art contest, face painting, the Big Purple Bookmobile, Police horses, neighborhood musicians, information tables and the city trolley.

New this year is a "coffee hour meet & greet" for small & home business owners.

The rain date for is May 17.

To participate, visit information tables in front of Anthology Florist or Isn’t It Sweet on New Scotland Avenue.

For more information, call 458-8942 or e-mail kakonrad@aol.com.

 

Earth Day

Here are some images from a recent spring to showcase our neighborhood…