Neighborhood-wide garage sale this Saturday

This Saturday, May 31, is the annual Helderberg Neighborhood Association neighborhood-wide garage sale. Feel free to join in and sell and shop on a day when many of your neighbors will be setting up on their lawns and driveways to sell off their wares.

Sun shines on Spring Spree

Under perfect skies, the fourth annual Spring Spree brought out friends, neighbors and supporters on Saturday, May 17, at both ends of our neighborhood's business districts along New Scotland Avenue.

We thank our elected officials who came and supported our event — Mayor Jerry Jennings, Assemblyman Jack McEneny, Councilman Jim Sano, Councilwoman Cathy Fahey and library board trustee Dennis Gaffney.

Helderberg Neighborhood Association chairwoman Jennifer Viggiani kicked off Spring Spree at the corner of New Scotland and Grove avenues, between Anthology Florist and Grove Laundry, by introducing the event's speakers. Local author Chris Ringwald and his son read aloud a proclamation from Mayor Jennings in celebration of the neighborhood, its businesses and Spring Spree. Dennis Gaffney joined musicians Geo Doody and Nick Bisanz in singing "It's a Beautiful Day in the New Scotland Avenue Neighborhood."

Woodlawn-New Scotland Neighborhood Association chairwoman Julie Elson and Paige and Brad Allen promoted the tables in front of Isn't It Sweet and across the street from St. Peter's Hospital and helped sign up more than 70 participants in the event's business scavenger hunt

Sweet Treats on the corner of Maple Avenue and Quail Street provided the cake celebrating the neighborhood's 100th birthday. Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts, from opposite ends of New Scotland Avenue, came together and provided free coffee, while Pasquale's on New Scotland and Grove donated free pizza and stromboli.

Doody and Bisanz entertained the crowd after the speakers at the beginning of the event and a group of musicians from Grove Avenue delighted the crowd as the follow-up act.

Albany Fire Station No. 11 showcased their truck in front of their firehouse, and the Department of General Services closed off a portion of Grove Avenue for the event.

A new part of Spring Spree was also held: a freelance and home-business meet-and-greet under the red tent.

Businesses along the corridor showcased artwork by local children in their storefronts, another new feature this year. Children colored the sidewalks with chalk as part of a contest.

Prizes purchased from local businesses by the neighborhood associations were awarded at the end of the event to scavenger hunt winners.

Special thanks to Kim Alvarez for her work as the Spring Spring 2008 event chair.

Neighborhood Association meeting on Wednesday

The Helderberg Neighborhood Association will hold its regular meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Sage College Campus Center.

The featured guests on the draft agenda are representatives from the Albany Health Department with a discussion on managing lead paint in homes.

Also on the draft agenda are reports from the HNA 100 Research Committee and from Councilwoman Cathy Fahey, Councilman Jim Sano, Joe Isgro and Officer Parker, plus updates on planning and zoning projects.

Final planning for the neighborhood-wide garage and yard sale, scheduled for Saturday, May 31, will also be discussed.

Finally, there is a reminder and invitation to a new meeting in the Association's schedule, set for mid-June.
 

School, library elections are Tuesday

Don't forget to vote on Tuesday in budget elections for the Albany City School District and the Albany Public Library, and for one trustee for the library board. Here is a list of polling places, which have changed in some wards. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The City school district has information on its Web site about Tuesday's budget vote. Elections for school Board of Education seats are in November, according to the Times Union.

The Library also has information on its Web site about the budget vote and the candidates running for election.
 

Spring Spree a success

Check back later this week for more photos from our fourth annual Spring Spree.

Geo Doody and Nick Bisanz perform to kick off Saturday's Spring Spree festivities on Grove Avenue.
 

Spring Spree returns on Saturday

We're on for Saturday for the fourth annual “Spring Spree” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., sponsored by the Helderberg and Woodlawn Neighborhood Associations.

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, Police horses, neighborhood musicians, information tables and the city trolley.

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

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

For more information, call 489-3824.
 

Read all about it!

The May-June edition of HNA Reporter, the official newsletter of the Helderberg Neighborhood Association, has begun arriving on doorsteps.

In this issue, look for articles about connecting with your neighbors and the 100th anniversary of our neighborhood and the role played by the Albany Driving Association.

There is also a piece about the front yard tulip garden contest from the Woman's Club of Albany, re-named in honor of long-time resident and friend of the neighborhood Evelyn Sturdevan, who passed away in 2004. The Woman's Club recently announced its 2008 Evelyn Award winner, as well as other front yard tulip garden winners.

The newsletter also highlights Capital Bike Month, a backwater valve grant program from Mayor Jerry Jennings and the opening of the Albany Tennis Club.

The newsletter should arrive with a flyer with information about Spring Spree, donating cell phones and voter registration.
 

Tulips everywhere

With the 60th annual Tulip Fest kicking off tomorrow, the tulips in front of our neighborhood firehouse are hanging on.

Rained out — see you on May 17!

Rain, rain go away? With today's rain and cold and damp weather, Spring Spree has been postponed to its Rain Date of Saturday, May 17 — two weeks from today.

Thanks to everyone for their help and encouragement. Thanks to All Over Albany for its mention of our 100th birthday and event yesterday, and the Times Union for its Community Almanac listing. Thanks most of all to the great businesses in this neighborhood for their support of this event and the support of this neighborhood! Please continue to shop and eat at our local businesses and restaurants, and we'll see you on the 17th!