Items tagged with 'holidays'
Local holiday wish list: the Editors -- and Otto
The holidays can be overwhelming. Sometimes you need a nap.
In holiday seasons past AOA has made lists of local gifts we thought people might like to get. This year, we're going right to the source. Instead of making our list, we've asked a few people directly: What's on your holiday wish list?
The last list comes from each of the Editors. And Otto.
Yes, Virginia of Valatie, there is a Santa Claus
In 1897, New York Sun editor Francis Pharcellus Church wrote a beautiful, now-famous editorial in answer to a letter from an 8-year-old girl named Virginia O'Hanlon.
As the story goes, O'Hanlon had asked her father, a Manhattan doctor, if Santa Claus was real. Thankfully, her dad passed the buck, suggesting little Virginia put the question to the editor of the Sun. Church took the ball and ran with it. His editorial takes the concept of Santa from the idea of getting to the idea of giving -- making it about the kindnesses we can all do for one another.
So if the whole thing took place in Manhattan, why are we writing about it? Well, we were looking for the letter this weekend and stumbled upon something that surprised us: it turns out the grown up Virgina lived in Valatie. And there's video to prove it.
The Airing of Grievances 2011
Bitter | Sweet
The Peppermint Pig drawing is now closed. But please feel free to continue airing your grievances.
We're celebrating Festivus early this year with a traditional Airing of Grievances.
So, gather round the unadorned aluminum pole and let it rip. You'll feel better. But here's the deal: grievances can not include personal attacks, nastiness or creepiness.
To balance the bitter with the sweet, we'll be giving Peppermint Pigs to three people who air the grievances in the comments. The winners will be picked randomly.
The Editors have already aired their grievances after the jump. We're looking forward to hearing yours. Merry Festivus.
Important: To be eligible for the Peppermint Pig drawing, your comment must be submitted by noon on December 21, 2011. You must include a working email address (that you check regularly -- seriously, we want to send you the pig) with your comment. One entry per person. Winners will be notified by 5 pm that day and must respond by noon on December 22.
Local holiday wish list: Sarah LaDuke
Sarah would like movie tickets, beer and an opportunity to watch humans box step.
In holiday seasons past AOA has made lists of local gifts we thought people might like to get. This year, we're going right to the source. Instead of making our list, we've asked a few people directly: What's on your holiday wish list?
Today's tasty and entertaining list comes from Sarah LaDuke...
Local holiday wish list: Ethan Georgi
On Ethan's local wish list: beer, peanut butter, bike gear and bridge repair.
In holiday seasons past AOA has made lists of local gifts we thought people might like to get. This year, we're going right to the source. Instead of making our list, we've asked a few people directly: What's on your holiday wish list?
Today's list comes from Life After Programming's Ethan Georgi.
"Don't Steal Or Kill This Christmas"
Today is dreary. The embedded above might help. It's a song from Saratoga-based band Dryer. It's not your typical Christmas music. They have a Saratoga show coming up in February.
We posted this song last year, too. (Thanks to @WEXT for the reminder.)
Two years in a row -- that might make it a tradition.
Volunteering around Christmas?
Looking to help, Anonymous emails:
I know a few AOA readers are involved in charitable work, so I was wondering if you could ask ... how one could volunteer to help on Christmas night? I'm staying in the US this year for the holidays, my buddies are out of town, maybe I can make myself useful. THANKS!
We'll expand Anonymous' question to include all the time around the holidays -- not just Christmas.
And if you can think of some way to just do something nice for other people, that would be great, too. Someone once shoveled our driveway while we were away for a few days over Christmas break, and it was just about the best thing ever.
Got a suggestion for Anonymous? Please share!
photo: Flickr user Hamed Saber
Local holiday wish list: Erik Dollman
Erik would like a ray gun that disintegrates shawl collar cardigans, please.
In holiday seasons past AOA has made lists of local gifts we thought people might like to get. This year, we're going right to the source. Instead of making our list, we've asked a few people directly: What's on your holiday wish list?
Next up: Erik's list has some gift ideas for the man about town.
Local holiday wish list: Jerry Papandrea
On the derryX Christmas list: beer, marshmallows, sock animals and a 5 pound box of veal.
In holiday seasons past AOA has made lists of local gifts we thought people might like to get. This year, we're going right to the source. Instead of making our list, we've asked a few people directly: What's on your holiday wish list?
Today's list comes from Jerry derryX Papandrea.
The Time Warner Cable Yule Log: now in 3D
The 3D Yule Log (minus 3D TV and 3D glasses)
This weekend, we were looking for a little festive background music while decorating the tree, when suddenly we remembered this audiovisual experience.
So we checked and sure enough, there it was -- the Time Warner Cable Holiday Yule Log channel is back, on the Free Movies on Demand Channel (1030). And this year it's available in a new dimension.
Local holiday wish list: Katie Beltramo
Gift cards, penguins, fairies and a little something for Mommy.
In holiday seasons past AOA has made lists of local gifts we thought people might like to get. This year, we're going right to the source. Instead of making our list, we've asked a few people directly: What's on your holiday wish list?
Up next: Katie Beltramo from Capital District Fun and Kids Out and About...
Local holiday wish list: Matthew Carefully
Matthew wants Capital Region experiences -- musical and non-musical.
In holiday seasons past AOA has made lists of local gifts we thought people might like to get. This year, we're going right to the source. Instead of making our list, we've asked a few people directly: What's on your holiday wish list?
After the jump, what to get Matthew Carefully this year...
Local holiday wish list: Daniel B.
On Daniel's wish list this year: wine, food and kidney fat.
In holiday seasons past AOA has made lists of local gifts we thought people might like to get. This year, we're going right to the source. Instead of making our list, we've asked a few people directly: What's on your holiday wish list?
Next up: Daniel B. shares his fussy little wish list.
Local holiday wish list: Kaitlin Resler
On Kaitlin's list: candy, books and pretty vintage things.
In holiday seasons past AOA has made lists of local gifts we thought people might like to get. This year, we're going right to the source. Instead of making our list, we've asked a few people directly: What's on your holiday wish list?
Next up: the very fashionable Kaitlin Resler...
Beaming up Santa
For Santa's sake, let's hope all that stuff about probing is a myth.
Arielle sent along this holiday light display from the yard of a house on Western Ave in Guilderland.
Yep, that's Santa being abducted by aliens.
(Thanks, Arielle!)
Local holiday wish list: Unspeakable Visions Christine
Things that would make Christine happy this holiday season: tea, movies and apple vodka.
In holiday seasons past AOA has made lists of local gifts we thought people might like to get. This year, we're going right to the source. Instead of making our list, we've asked a few people directly: what's on your holiday wish list.
Our first wish list comes from Unspeakable Visions Christine...
Bakeries that sell yule logs/Bûche de Noël for Christmas?
Kim asks a seasonally-appropriate question via Twitter:
Are there any bakeries in the cap region that sell yule logs/ buche de Noel for Christmas?
If you don't know Bûche de Noël from a bush, it's a traditional French Christmas dessert -- a sponge cake that's been frosted, rolled up, and then frosted and decorated to look like a yule log. [Wikipedia] [Serious Eats]
We had some vague memory that Mrs. London's in Saratoga makes Bûche de Noël (probably thanks to Ellen). So we gave them a call (581-1652 x303) -- and they do! Mrs. London's makes three types of Bûche, and each serves 10-12 people. They're $65 and must be pre-ordered and prepaid. Orders should be in at least a week before Christmas. And Mrs. London's is open until 4 pm on Christmas Eve if you want to pick up at the last moment.
Has anyone had the Bûche from Mrs. London's? We'd love to hear how it is.
And if you have a suggestion about other places for Bûche de Noël/yule logs, please share!
photo: Andrew Pendleton via Wikipedia
Good holiday and New Year's stuff to do?
Ben emails:
My wife and I are new to Albany, don't know anyone (losers, I know), and are looking for some good holiday and new year's stuff to do. Not so much the 'get wasted at Jillian's after paying $100 cover for a free glass of Cristalino,' but maybe something a bit more unique. Any ideas?
Or, to phrase Ben's question a little bit differently, if were talking with someone who's new to the Capital Region, what holiday traditions or stuff to do would you tell them about?
Got a suggestion for Ben and his wife? Please share!
photo: Flickr user _FXR
Victorian Stroll 2011 photos
Festive.
Sebastien has posted a fun photoset from the Victorian Stroll in Troy on Sunday.
Here's another photoset from the stroll by Vic Christopher.
And one of Paul's photos resulted in a great joke: "Hipster Bichon enjoyed Troy before it was cool."
photo: Sebastien Barre
How to avoid the mall for holiday shopping?
With holiday shopping in mind, Chrissy emails:
I'm trying to shop local and eco-friendly this year for Christmas gifts but am getting tempted by the one-stop shop appeal of the mall. Does anyone know of an area around here where there are a lot of local shops close together that sell stuff for kids and adults? I've tried Etsy but to be honest, I like to see the stuff in person especially with baby toys. All the stores I know of are pretty spread out so I thought you guys could help. Thanks!
If you're looking for a more in-person experience than Etsy, one local option is the TightKnit market in Troy on Saturdays (a little bit like Etsy in real life).
But that's just one spot -- we're sure there are a bunch of others around the Capital Region. Got a suggestion for Chrissy? Please share!
photo: TightKnit
New Yorkers: charitable, like friends and artificial trees, don't believe in Santa Claus
A bunch of holiday bits from the Siena survey out today:
+ 67 percent of people said they are excited about the holiday season; 32 percent said they're not.
+ 34 percent of people said they're cutting back their holiday spending this year compared to last (37 percent said they were last year). Seven percent said they're increasing (compared to 4 percent last year).
+ 23 percent of people said their financial situation is better compared to last year; 30 percent said it's worse.
+ 26 percent said they plan to spend $1,000+ on gifts.
+ 19 percent of people said they shop on the day after Thanksgiving.
+ 57 percent said they planned to do at least some online shopping -- and of those people, 30 percent said it was because of crowds.
+ 59 percent said they try to buy gifts from locally-owned and operated businesses.
+ 77 percent said they would be making a charitable contribution this season; 30 percent said they'd be volunteering.
+ What people enjoy most about the holidays: 77 percent said spending time with family and friends. What people enjoy the least: 39 percent said the commercialization of the holidays. (Takeaway: your family and friends would probably rather you make time for them than buy them a gift.)
+ 63 percent said they think the holiday decorations and ads start too soon.
+ Most often used greeting: Merry Christmas (53 percent), Happy Holidays (37 percent).
+ "I hate to admit it but at this point I'm more Scrooge than Santa." Agree/disagree: 23/67.
+ Among people who put up a Christmas tree, 59 percent say they go artificial.
+ "Would you say you believe in Santa Claus or not?"" Believe: 30 percent. Do not believe: 69 percent.
Margin of error +/- 3.9.
What are you thankful for this year?
We're also thankful for Otto -- he has a way of making people smile.
Kathy's comment was picked in the drawing -- and she chose the Bethesda House in Schenectady as her charity.
Giving thanks is on our minds this week because of the holiday. So, we'd like to know:
What are you thankful for this year?
We'd love to hear your answer in the comments. It could be anyone or anything.
We'll draw one person at random from and AOA will give $100 to a charity of that person's choice. We did this last year and Elizabeth's name was drawn -- she chose Animal Lovers as her charity.
OK, we'll start: We're thankful for our friends and family, for their love and support and patience. And we're thankful for you -- AOA is an interesting place because of the people around it. We greatly appreciate all the suggestions and contributions, the thoughtful and funny comments. Thank you.
Important: To be part of the drawing, you must submit your comment (that answers the question) by 5 pm on November 23. You must include a working email address (that you check regularly). The winner will be notified by 10 am on November 28 and must respond by 10 am on November 29. The choice of charity is subject to AOA approval (for example, we're not going to give money to People Against Puppies).
Turkey time at Coldwater Creek Farm
Gobble. Gobble.
James Kromer doesn't talk turkey.
So as he was driving 200 squawking, day-old chicks by car from a 50-year-old turkey farm in Boston to his Coldwater Creek Farm, his family's 26-acre property in southern Rensselaer County, he just cranked up the tunes.
"They just chirped the whole time. After about an hour and a half it bothered me so I turned up the radio and opened up the windows for some white noise," laughs Kromer, an accountant by day, who is marking his second year raising antibiotic-free, pasture-raised white Broad Breasted turkeys for Thanksgiving.
So, how does an accountant end up raising 200 turkeys?
How to get rid of a Christmas tree?
Shadi emails:
Now that Christmas is over and all the festivities have come to an end... I was wondering if All Over Albany had suggestions as to how to dispose or re-use the no longer needed christmas tree.
Does the city come and pick up your un-wanted tree to use for composting? Do we need to call the city to schedule a pick up? If so, who do we call? Or are there other clever ways to re-use the trees that don't require it to be thrown on the sidewalk?
Shadi isn't the only one who has this question. We've heard a few people lately wonder about it.
Well, here's the answer for the City of Albany. If you put out your Christmas tree on your regular trash day (the tree should not be wrapped in anything), DGS will pick it up and compost it.
If you're not in Albany, give your town or trash hauler a call. They should be able to answer your question right away -- it's sort of the trash question of the moment.
photo: Flickr user julio.garciah
The Airing of Grievances
The august holiday of Festivus is traditionally celebrated tomorrow, but we've decided to observe it today with a traditional Airing of Grievances.
So, gather round the unadorned aluminum pole and let it all out. You'll feel better. And it'll make it easier to deal with all those relatives who are about to ask you why you (are not married, don't have kids, haven't finished school, don't live closer to family, are wearing that awful sweater).
To balance the bitter the with some sweet, AOA will give Peppermint Pigs to three people randomly picked from the comments. Here's the deal, though: grievances can not include personal attacks, nastiness or creepiness.
The Editors' lists of grievances are the jump. We're looking forward to hearing yours. Happy Festivus.
Important: To be eligible for the Peppermint Pig drawing, your comment must be submitted by noon on December 23, 2010. You must include a working email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. One entry per person. Winners will be notified by 5 pm that day and must respond by noon on December 24.
... said Jenna about The quintessential Capital Region food?