Items tagged with 'larkstreet'
An alleged inside job -- by an 11-year-old
Albany police say they've arrested an 11-year-old boy for allegedly breaking into cars near Washington Park -- and running an inside job robbery on a Lark Street store. From the APD press release:
Officer Michael Geraci was following up on a burglary report last Thursday with the owner of Frame Workshop at 215 Lark Street. The owner stated that someone had entered the business through a unlocked window between Wednesday night and Thursday morning and stole $240 from the cash register. Several picture frames, which were in front of the window, were also damaged when the suspect climbed in.
The owner told Officer Geraci that a young boy, who he had befriended, had been hanging around the business over the last couple of days and was inside on several occasions. He believed that the boy had intentionally unlocked the window while he was inside the shop so he could get inside when the business was closed. The owner gave Officer Geraci the boy's name and showed him a picture of the boy on Facebook.
The full press release is pasted after the jump.
This is at least the second recent arrest that's resulted from Geraci noticing something on his Center Square beat (the other: the man who allegedly posed as a detective). Both cases point to the potential payoff of having beat cops and community policing (and admittedly, it's a tiny sample). Would those arrests have been made without it? Sure, maybe. But having an officer out in the neighborhood, talking to people, making connections couldn't have hurt.
APD: man was responding to police calls, identifying himself as a detective
Weird: Albany police say a 19-year-old man has admitted to responding to "several dozen" police calls over the past year, representing himself as a detective.
From the APD press release:
On Tuesday evening just after 5:00 p.m. officers investigating a person with a gun call were involved in a brief foot pursuit that led to a arrest for criminal trespass at 273 Third Street. Officer [Michael] Geraci was one of the officers who responded to the call and he located a handgun on Thornton Street. Several minutes after the call went out [Ryan] Mann showed up to the scene on Thornton Street. ...
Mann was wearing eye glasses, had on a blue fleece jacket, dress shirt and tie, khaki pants and shoes. He had a bullet proof vest on and was carrying a portable radio, similar to one that police officers carry.
Officer Geraci initially questioned him at the scene and Mann was brought to the detective division to be interviewed. Mann admitted to responding to several dozen calls over the past year, mostly in the Center Square area. He monitored police calls through a phone application that scans police transmissions, carried a police badge from Oakland, California and would identify himself as Detective Ruff when he encountered people in the public.
The APD says Geraci nabbed Mann after recognizing him from responding to other police calls in the Lark Street area.
There is no indication at this time that Mann specifically targeted anyone or anything for gain or that he was a threat to anyone. He was scheduled for a mental health evaluation.
Mann has been charged with criminal possession of stolen property, but for the moment, not impersonation. APD says it's still investigating.
More details in the full press released pasted after the jump.
Hungry for Shades of Green
The Shades of Green storefront after it closed. Jewel of India is now in that space.
It might be silly and overly nostalgic, but years after its demise I'm still mourning the late great Shades of Green.
Like a lost love, absence has only made the heart grow fonder... and hungrier.
If you weren't in the area during that time or never had the pleasure, let me tell you, Shades was an absolute wonderland. It wasn't fancy: soups, sandwiches, and fresh-squeezed juices served from a small kitchen on Lark Street, but there was just something special about the food and the atmosphere. Vegetarians and non-vegetarians sat side by side enjoying meals that, regardless of labels, were just plain addictive.
Years after it closed, people are still lamenting its demise. And it left a vegetarian void in the Capital Region that has yet to be filled.
Santa Speedo Sprint 2011 photos
They're running for charity. And to stay warm.
The Santa Speedo Sprint is one of the most fun events of each year. And this weekend was no exception. It was great to see so many people smiling, laughing, and cheering others on.
There's a big bunch of photos from this year's sprint after the jump...
Get ready: Santa Speedo Sprint
At the start of last year's sprint.
This year's Santa Speedo Sprint is December 10 on Lark Street -- that's next Saturday. We know, we know, it's been entirely too warm recently for people to strip down to their festive swimwear/underwear and sprint down the street for charity. But the calendar does not lie. And there's still time to get your costume ready.
The Sprint is organized by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy. Funds raised by the event go to support the Damien Center, which helps people and families affected by HIV/AIDS. Last year's event raised $20,000.
It's a $25 donation to run the sprint -- and runners are also encouraged to get pledges from other people.
If you're not up for running, it's still worth checking out. The runners appreciate the cheering and support. And the sprint is easily one of the most fun events of the year. How often is there a crowd where everyone's laughing and smiling, all for a good cause?
Here are a bunch of photos from last year's sprint.
People will start assembling for this year's sprint around 11 am (or earlier). The sprinting is at noon 2 pm, starting at the intersection of Lark and Madison Ave.
Yep, AOA is a media sponsor of the Santa Speedo Sprint.
Public hearing for the proposed Albany parking permit system tonight
An overview map of the proposed coverage area. Much bigger versions are the after the jump.
The public hearing for the proposed Albany residential parking permit system is tonight (Monday) at 7 pm at city hall. The public hearing is one of the last steps before the system could potentially be passed and moved toward implementation.
We suspect there will be plenty of suggestions/questions/concerns about the system, particularly about which spots will be subject to the permits. Richard Conti, the common councilman heading up the project, touched on that topic in his ward newsletter last week:
... the street designations on the zone maps are preliminary subject to revision after the public hearing. I've discussed the inclusion or non-inclusion of streets at neighborhood meetings during the month of October, and have received other communications, and am aware of some of the concerns regarding preliminary street designations. Under the state authorizing legislation, we are limited to the designations of 2,750 spaces spread across three zones. After the current proposed map was finalized we discovered additional spaces that had not been allocated. So we have a margin to play with to address concerns. ...
Resolving the street designations is the major issue that needs to be resolved; once that is completed the remaining pieces should fall into place.
As proposed, the system would cover three zones around the Empire State Plaza:
+ Zone A - 1946 spaces in Center Square/Hudson-Park/Washington Park/parts of Park South,
+ Zone B - 443 spaces in the Mansion neighborhood
+ Zone C - 163 spaces in Arbor Hill around the Ten Broeck Triangle
Details and maps of these proposed zones are available from the city's website -- and we've also posted them after the jump here for easy scanning.
The state law giving the city the right set up the system allows for 2,750 spaces within a 3/4 mile radius of the ESP. Once implemented, the system will run for two years and then be up for review.
Car sharing: We hear that car sharing advocates will also be at the hearing tonight pushing their case. In the past, advocates have touted sharing as another way of addressing the parking problem in congested neighborhoods.
LarkFest 2011, in video
Check out this great video Julia Evanczuk made at LarkFest this past weekend (also embedded above).
But, wait, there's more:
+ Sebastien's posted a photoset from the festival (there's even a pic of AOA Mary).
+ Bennett also posted a photoset (we like this photo)
+ And here's a quick video clip by YouTube user clawdnb from the silent disco -- it's kind of fun to see the disconnect between what you're seeing and what you're not hearing.
By the way: There were an estimated 80,000 people at LarkFest this year. Or, at least, that was the "expected" number. We're curious if there's been a more systematic count of the actual number. (Counting crowds is notoriously hard and estimates often vary widely.) [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [Fox23] [Popular Mechanics]
Pre-playing LarkFest 2011
They are Jeneric. And they're playing at noon.
As you well know, LarkFest is this Saturday. After the jump, the stage schedule for the musical acts, both national and local -- plus a video playlist of the acts so you can do a little previewing. (Alternately, if you're coming to this post after LarkFest, you can listen again.)
On with it...
Operation Safe Corridor
We're all hoping for a safer Center Square
Officials in Albany announce details Thursday of the extension of the "Safe Corridor" program to new Lark Street and Central Avenue.
Part of the project will involve signs around the city that will direct pedestrians along what the program deems the safest route. The goal is to have as many people as possible along certain routes to prevent crimes from happening. There will also be "Safe Haven" business stickers given to participating business, as well as special LGBT-friendly rainbow stickers given to some businesses in the Lark Street and Central Avenue areas.
This is a program that's been used in many other cities and has been in place in Albany's Pine Hills neighborhood since 2007. [TU]
The new one will be a partnership between the city government, the APD and the Lark Street and Central Avenue Business Improvement Districts.
There are a bunch of issues that go along with this sort of program. Are businesses ready for the responsibility that goes along with being a "safe haven?" And does designating certain streets as "safe" mean that other possible routes might become less safe because fewer people travel down them.
The program could be helpful. And it's encouraging to see attention to the issue. But real change will probably only come from stepped-up policing and increased engagement with the public.
Updated at 6:15 pm
LarkFest music lineup 2011
Mike Doughty, Diego Garcia, We are Jeneric
The Lark Street BID and WEXT announced the music lineup for this year's LarkFest today.
The headliner is Mike Doughty, the former frontman for Soul Coughing who's been a solo act for a bunch of years now. Also among the national acts: Diego Garcia, formerly of Elefant, now of his (apparently sexy) self. If you listen to EXT, you've probably heard his song "You Were Never There."
The lineup also includes some good locals. The full list is after the jump.
LarkFest is September 17.
Rainbow over Lark Street
Because everyone loves a big rainbow -- here it is in large format.
Jess sent along this rainbow pic:
Spotted the most lovely rainbow yesterday evening while at happy hour at the Lionheart!
A happy hour special.
photo: Jessica Pasko
The Albany residential parking permit task force recommendations
A totally unofficial estimate of the area to be covered by the parking permit system.
The task force developing the Albany residential parking permit system released its report and recommendations last week. The file that we received from Common Councilman Richard Conti, the task force's chair, is embedded after the jump.
The report includes many of the provisions Conti mentioned when we talked with him about the system in June. But there are few bits that caught our eye -- we've highlighted those.
If you live/work/visit the area around the Empire State Plaza, it's worth taking a look at this report. There will be a public comment period after an ordinance is introduced. There's also lobbying/emailing/stopping your council person on the street to talk about suggestions or changes. (And based on the comments from June, it sounds like people will have suggestions.)
What's up with the Albany parking permit system?
A totally unofficial estimate of the area to be covered by the parking permit system.
It's been just about a year since the state legislature passed a bill allowing the city of Albany to set up a residential parking permit system near the Empire State Plaza. So, where's all that at now?
Albany Common Councilman Richard Conti is heading up the task force in charge of developing the system. We had a chance to talk with him last week about how the system is potentially shaping up...
Art on Lark 2011
In case it has somehow escaped your attention: Art on Lark is this Saturday in Albany. Lined up this year:
+ The Living Walls project will have a group of artists creating a mural on Hudson between Willet and Lark.
+ There will be a pop-up gallery organized by Albany Underground Artists in the former Planned Parenthood building, along with food from the Chefs Consortium (food is $10).
+ The Grand Street Arts' Youth FX program will be screening six short films. (Liz talked with some of the filmmakers in the program earlier this year.)
+ And an outdoor gallery organized by Albany Center Gallery.
Also: a bunch of good local music organized by WEXT. The schedule for that is after the jump.
The Fantasy Lark Street
It's a gorgeous, sunny day and you're out for a stroll in your neighborhood. Half-eaten apple in hand, you pop into the post office to mail a letter and then head to the butcher for a pound of sausage and a ball of fresh mozzarella. On your way home, you stop at the food cart to chat with the owner and grab a bag of soft pretzels.
Now imagine all of this happening on Lark Street. Impossible, you say? Maybe today. But how great would that be?
14 hours at Crisan
If you're wandering down to Lark Street for 1st Friday tonight, here's a clip of what you'll see in the window at Crisan. Artist/architect Shadi Khadivi spent 14 hours photographing what goes on in the kitchen at Claudia and Iggy's Lark Street bakery/edible art gallery.
Shadi teaches architecture studios at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, and Parsons the New School for Design in New York City, and owns her own design studio in Albany. She says she's fascinated by the creative process and by bringing what goes on in the background to the foreground. So she edited a full day in the Crisan kitchen down to about 11 minutes. You won't get any secret family recipes, but you will get a feel for what goes on behind the scenes and what goes into the creation of some of those gorgeous pastries. The project, called 6:45-9:00, will be projected on a screen in the front window of Crisan tonight.
The macchiato at Caffé Vero
That's not just any foam on top.
Officially, you can no longer say there isn't a good place to go for espresso in the Capital Region. Because in November, Caffé Vero opened its doors on Lark Street, and these people take espresso seriously.
How seriously?
Well, before opening the Albany location they sent a sample of their water to a lab in California to learn how well suited it was for making espresso. As it turns out the water in Albany is pretty good. This meant they only needed to install a filter that removes dissolved solids and chlorine.
That along with at least a dozen other invisible steps is what goes into producing some of the richest most delicious espresso based drinks in the Capital Region. But it is their version of a macchiato that is really the ideal showcase for the best espresso in Albany.
Vintage Video Games from Pastime Legends
You can't go home again -- but you can play your old games.
The AOA elves are back to help you with your holiday shopping. For the next couple of weeks we'll be bringing you fun, interesting, local gift ideas for the holiday season.
On this ninth day of the gift guide, AOA brings to you: retro video games and a partridge in a pear tree.
OK, no partridge. And no tree. But the rest, yes. Absolutely.
I'm not much of a gamer myself - when I think games, I think of Scrabble or Apples to Apples. And my video game skills don't go too far past the occasional attempt at "Guitar Hero." But for the right person -- the video game freak (or is it geek?) who doesn't just want the hot new thing but appreciates a good game of Super Mario Brothers, Pastime Legends is your place.
Santa Speedo Sprint 2010 photos
Santa has some hearty elves this year.
Updated Monday at 8 pm
This year's Santa Speedo Sprint once again proved the scantily-clad Santa dash is one of the most fun events of the year. It's so great to be in a crowd where so many people are smiling.
And last we heard, ASAP had raised $20,000 for the Albany Damien Center!
Many photos are after the jump.
The Lark Street restaurant shuffle
For sale. Hopefully not for long.
Updated Thursday night
The Lark Street restaurant scene is changing up again with a few closings, some openings, new menus and a place for sale.
The most curried intersection in the Capital Region?
The interior of the new Jewel of India.
The intersection of Lark, Central and Washington in Albany -- already home to three nearby Indian restaurants -- now has a fourth: Jewel of India, which opened at 187 Lark Street on Saturday.
Jason and Shadi emailed with an early word:
The food was surprisingly good! They have a real tandoor, so the murg tikka comes out juicy on the inside and burnt on the outisde - perfect! The naan and lamb biryani were also good. The prices were very reasonable.
Jewel of Indian joins LaZeez (at 35 Central) and Aashiana (at 31 Central) and Gandhi (at 1 Central) all within a block radius block from that intersection. And, just a few blocks away at Lark and Madison, is Tandoor Palace.
Indian food isn't approaching sushi-like levels here (yet), but there do seem to be a lot of choices now -- both in Albany and around the Capital Region.
Now we could really go some lunch buffet...
LarkFest 2010 photos
Why wouldn't a panda be there?
You couldn't have asked for better weather for this year's LarkFest. And an estimated 70,000 people seemed to agree.
Sebastien sent along a whole bunch of photos from the day. As he wrote on his site:
Center Square neighbors, including myself, know the drill. Either leave Albany for the day, or embrace the crowd, the music, the vendors... and have fun. I grabbed my camera and spent the better part of this beautiful day on my favorite street.
A bunch of his photos -- along with a few links to other photosets -- after the jump.
Center Square wallpaper
It's like a giant "Where's Waldo" game for Center Square.
Laura Glazer and Lori Hansen think Albany's Center Square residents are proud of their neighborhood. So when they were working on a 1st Friday project for the big windows at Capitol Wine, in the heart of the Washington Park/Center Square neighborhood, they wanted to find a way to express that pride.
The photographer and graphic artist considered a number of ideas before settling on the one thing that neither of them felt they were good at: drawing.
The result: some fun rolls of Center Square "wallpaper" that are fun, quirky and as it turns out, just a tiny bit AOA inspired.
Photos and a little more from Laura Glazer after the jump.
Shuffle of Indian restaurants on Lark
One's out, one's in?
Update: MattW checks back in to say that Tandoor Palace was back open when he went by Thursday evening.
___
MattW sends along word that it appears Tandoor Palace at Lark and Madison in Albany has been seized by the state Department of Taxation and Finance for "nonpayment of taxes." (more photos after the jump)
At the other end of Lark, it's look like another Indian place is sprouting: a sign in one of the spaces by the still-closed Al Baraki says a restaurant called Jewel of Indian is coming soon. There's a website mentioned, but the domain is currently parked.
Of course, that neighborhood is still not without Indian options: LaZeez is at 35 Central and Aashiana is at 31 Central and Gandhi is at 1 Central.
Also: As of earlier this month, a Taste of Greece was for sale -- $55,000 was the asking price.
LarkFest music lineup
The LarkFest organizers announced the music lineup for this year's festival.
In contrast to recent years when the lineup featured one or two bigger names, this year's slate features a range of somewhat lesser-known acts from different genres -- indie rock to neo-soul to Midwesterners who "sound like a drunkenly angry Tom Petty crawling out of a Florida swamp."
Some of them sound pretty good. The full lineup and the local acts -- selected in a contest from over 80 entries -- after the jump.
... said Jenna about The quintessential Capital Region food?