Living in the Great Northeast offers residents a great deal of recreational activities, very close to home. Now I usually don't write about things happening outside of the Capital Region, but there's a fantastic event going on every year up in Lake George that I always attend, and I'd like to share with you.
Elvis Weekend in Lake George will be held from May 31, thru June 3. All the businesses run fantastic specials, as do the eateries. But the main attraction is the army of Elvis impersonators found pretty much on every street corner during this celebration of the King of Rock n Rolls, life and career. I always crack up watching the tribute artist. Their attention to detail is amazing, and when some of them sing, you could close your eye's and think you're listening to the real thing. The point I'm making is that the entire weekend is good family fun, and for Elvis fans -- it's Mecca!
I was made aware of a GREAT deal being offered by my favorite hotel up at the lake. Former Trojan, Rob Gregor is now operating the Motel Montreal ( www.lakegeorgemotelmontreal.com).
Here's the deal:
*Book a minimum, two day stay, at $79 per night (depending on number of people in room), and Rob will give you a pair of, 'Blue Suede Shoes' -- Yeah baby! Rob treats all of his guest so much like family, you would swear he was Italian! The motel is in a great spot by the lake, offering a variety of activities, and offers a peaceful setting for you to unwind. If you decide to book a room for this fantastic weekend, tell Rob that Vito sent you, and you'll get a 0% discount!
Lake George is such a treasure, right in our back yard. Take a ride up to the Motel Montreal, and drive back home in your new, Blue Suede Shoe's!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
ATTENTION ALL KIDS -- EASTER BUNNY SPOTTED AT FULTON & THIRD
The Easter Bunny was spotted hopping across Third St. today, according to eyewitnesses. Wearing a turquoise sash, astonished shoppers stood in awe, as the iconic figure gracefully worked his way through downtown, playfully racing after a school bus full of what he believed to be children, but instead was full of inmates being transported back to Rensco County Jail. "Here I was looking for kids, and boy did I make BIG mistake, " said a laughing E. Bunny.
This roving reporter caught up with him today to ask him a few questions:
VC -- How long have you've been doing this Mr. Bunny?
EB -- Well Vito, I was around long before Bugs Bunny was, that's for sure.
VC -- How come you chose Troy over other Capital District towns?
EB -- Troy is the home of Uncle Sam, and the kids are always so nice to me when I come. I'm also looking forward to going over to Dinosaur for a rack of ribs.
VC -- So where will you be tomorrow.
EB -- We'll be at Prospect Park, beginning at 11:30.
VC -- Any advice for the kids tomorrow?
EB -- Tell mom & dad to call your dentist ahead of time -- I'm bringing a HUGE amount of candy.
Join us tomorrow at 11:30. Bring the kids, and meet the Easter Bunny.
Where -- Prospect Park
When -- March 31 -- 11:30 a.m.
Free --Free --Free
This roving reporter caught up with him today to ask him a few questions:
VC -- How long have you've been doing this Mr. Bunny?
EB -- Well Vito, I was around long before Bugs Bunny was, that's for sure.
VC -- How come you chose Troy over other Capital District towns?
EB -- Troy is the home of Uncle Sam, and the kids are always so nice to me when I come. I'm also looking forward to going over to Dinosaur for a rack of ribs.
VC -- So where will you be tomorrow.
EB -- We'll be at Prospect Park, beginning at 11:30.
VC -- Any advice for the kids tomorrow?
EB -- Tell mom & dad to call your dentist ahead of time -- I'm bringing a HUGE amount of candy.
Join us tomorrow at 11:30. Bring the kids, and meet the Easter Bunny.
Where -- Prospect Park
When -- March 31 -- 11:30 a.m.
Free --Free --Free
Monday, February 20, 2012
Scratch My Italian What?:
Marcia Pascarella passed away on February 17. I don't usually write about people passing, but Marcia is a special case. And boy was she special!!!!!!!!!!!!
I first met her when I became active in my community, back in 1996, and began attending city council meetings. Her group, Trojans for Troy, was a vocal, pro-active, political watchdog, and the grandmothers of the wave of community groups which sprung up soon after, following their lead. I used to watch in amusement as the Marcia, Pam, Marcie & Janet show took place, once a month on the Monument Square stage. They came armed with legal documents, a strong desire to keep the politicians in their place, and sometimes well, they wore pig noses to get their point across.
Marcia didn't know how to take me back then, so we sometimes clashed. Including the time I told her to, "scratch my Italian backside" (I used another term though). Jim Franco, being the roving reporter he is, wrote about it the following Monday in Tailspin - bless his heart! Over the years, we developed a friendship though She used to call me quite often at city hall for this or that. We always took care of her concerns the best we could. The Island in front of her home on River St., was one of her pet peeves. So, every now and then, I would go over with a jug of Roundup, and spray the grass and weeds for her, put flowers in the planters, or get the flag changed..
But Marcia had a caustic way about her if you got on her wrong side, and believe me, I caught her wrath many a time. All she wanted was for some normalcy in her neighborhood. She took more chances with some very scary people, than she should have sometimes. Marcia was born in a time when houses were mostly owner occupied in Troy. She watched in horror as a once proud and beautiful neighborhood decayed. A neighborhood she loved, and fought for. Marcia never stopped fighting for, or believing in North Central. The last time I spoke to her was about 4 months ago, and when I approached her she said, "Oh look who just crawled out from behind a rock"! That's the Marcia I'll remember -- the fighter, the woman who I watched take on any politician you can think of. The woman who drove John Hedley so crazy he wound up giving Marcia, Marcie, Pam, & Janet rides in a limo. There will never be another like her. Sleep well Marcia -- you've earned the rest.
I first met her when I became active in my community, back in 1996, and began attending city council meetings. Her group, Trojans for Troy, was a vocal, pro-active, political watchdog, and the grandmothers of the wave of community groups which sprung up soon after, following their lead. I used to watch in amusement as the Marcia, Pam, Marcie & Janet show took place, once a month on the Monument Square stage. They came armed with legal documents, a strong desire to keep the politicians in their place, and sometimes well, they wore pig noses to get their point across.
Marcia didn't know how to take me back then, so we sometimes clashed. Including the time I told her to, "scratch my Italian backside" (I used another term though). Jim Franco, being the roving reporter he is, wrote about it the following Monday in Tailspin - bless his heart! Over the years, we developed a friendship though She used to call me quite often at city hall for this or that. We always took care of her concerns the best we could. The Island in front of her home on River St., was one of her pet peeves. So, every now and then, I would go over with a jug of Roundup, and spray the grass and weeds for her, put flowers in the planters, or get the flag changed..
But Marcia had a caustic way about her if you got on her wrong side, and believe me, I caught her wrath many a time. All she wanted was for some normalcy in her neighborhood. She took more chances with some very scary people, than she should have sometimes. Marcia was born in a time when houses were mostly owner occupied in Troy. She watched in horror as a once proud and beautiful neighborhood decayed. A neighborhood she loved, and fought for. Marcia never stopped fighting for, or believing in North Central. The last time I spoke to her was about 4 months ago, and when I approached her she said, "Oh look who just crawled out from behind a rock"! That's the Marcia I'll remember -- the fighter, the woman who I watched take on any politician you can think of. The woman who drove John Hedley so crazy he wound up giving Marcia, Marcie, Pam, & Janet rides in a limo. There will never be another like her. Sleep well Marcia -- you've earned the rest.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Life Is A Cabaret Old Chum - For A Fee:
Just when you think politicians couldn't get any dumber, the Albany City Council is proposing a Cabaret Tax. Under the proposed local law, any nightclub, or establishment offering entertainment using musical instruments plugged into amplifiers, would be required to pay a $150 fee. Now they want to tax the music too.
You would think that in this depressed economy, lawmakers would be looking for ways to ease the burden on their constituents. You would also think that they would see the need to work with their local businesses, which includes a bustling Albany night club scene. Imposing this fee isn't going to shut anyone down, but the way I see it, it's just another way of picking the pockets of those who can pay it. Taxing music is morally wrong in many respects. Music for many is relaxation, for some a profession and a passion.
The local music scene has always been fragile over the years, but it's been on the rebound over the last decade. Cities, town and villages all over the Capital District offer free entertainment throughout the Summer season, and into the early Fall. Nightclubs all over see a down-slide in business during these months, unless you operate in Lake George or Saratoga. So during the cold months, these businesses get the opportunity to catch up, so to speak. Hitting them up for ANOTHER TAX is just not fair. The musicians are also directly effected by it. I've dealt with club owners for four decades, and can tell you first hand that most travel a fine line between staying open, and going bust. Every dollar helps. The more they make, the more generous they are when dealing with musicians.
But it's not just the music scene that would be effected by this, the arts in general, plays and other artistic expression's would be forced to pay if using amplified music. Church's & other not for profits would be exempt for this lunacy.
If you live in Albany, send an e-mail to the members of the city council that support this nonsense, and tell them no thank you, I'm already taxed to death. Leave the damn music alone!
You would think that in this depressed economy, lawmakers would be looking for ways to ease the burden on their constituents. You would also think that they would see the need to work with their local businesses, which includes a bustling Albany night club scene. Imposing this fee isn't going to shut anyone down, but the way I see it, it's just another way of picking the pockets of those who can pay it. Taxing music is morally wrong in many respects. Music for many is relaxation, for some a profession and a passion.
The local music scene has always been fragile over the years, but it's been on the rebound over the last decade. Cities, town and villages all over the Capital District offer free entertainment throughout the Summer season, and into the early Fall. Nightclubs all over see a down-slide in business during these months, unless you operate in Lake George or Saratoga. So during the cold months, these businesses get the opportunity to catch up, so to speak. Hitting them up for ANOTHER TAX is just not fair. The musicians are also directly effected by it. I've dealt with club owners for four decades, and can tell you first hand that most travel a fine line between staying open, and going bust. Every dollar helps. The more they make, the more generous they are when dealing with musicians.
But it's not just the music scene that would be effected by this, the arts in general, plays and other artistic expression's would be forced to pay if using amplified music. Church's & other not for profits would be exempt for this lunacy.
If you live in Albany, send an e-mail to the members of the city council that support this nonsense, and tell them no thank you, I'm already taxed to death. Leave the damn music alone!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Happy New Year and Pass the Cheese Please:
I've been wondering what my first blog post for 2012 was going to cover. Troy is just such a vibrant city at times, with so many fun and exciting things going on, I just couldn't decide what the heck to write about. The politics in this town pretty much write their own stories, and plus, my bud Jim Franco has his hand on most things happening in that arena...so no dice there. Sports? I'm a baseball fan who wish's the grand old game went year round, and I'm extremely upset the Yanks just traded Jesus Montero...so I'm not writing about that either. Just when I thought I had writers block -- there on today's front page of the print edition of the Record was, the billboard that broke the writers bedrock.
Now you cannot, should not, nor will not eat cheese, or we will gross kids out so bad, they will vomit in mom's mini van after seeing the disgusting GIANT BILLBOARD of an over-sized, obese, cellulite marked thigh - and mom may veer off the road into a ditch at the distraction, but please don't eat the cheese cause you may get fat. You know what? If you over indulge in many things, you may put on weight. The key with cheese is like anything else -- moderation, moderation, moderation! It just really gets to me when some agenda driven group is allowed to put up a billboard as distracting as this. The DOT should have some sort of regulation against this type of advertising. I also think that those rolling billboards should not be allowed on our highways where people are traveling more than 70mph. Am I the only one who thinks this is a safety concern that someone should be looking at? There's enough road hazards out there every day that it's not in any one's best interest to provide additional distractions for drivers.
Look folks, if you sit, Ala George Costanza, in your underwear eating a giant block of cheese on a regular basis, or stuff a dozen or so double cheese-burgers down your throat every week -- you may develop a blockage or four. Putting a giant, obese, cellulite ridden thigh on a humongous sign above eye level on a well traveled road, just might kill you faster than that slice of cheese on your sub will. If the organization who paid for those gross billboards, took the money they paid, and gave it to a local food pantry, it would greatly help the many families who are struggling in today's economy.
Join me tomorrow when I write about how many times you should chew each bite!
Now you cannot, should not, nor will not eat cheese, or we will gross kids out so bad, they will vomit in mom's mini van after seeing the disgusting GIANT BILLBOARD of an over-sized, obese, cellulite marked thigh - and mom may veer off the road into a ditch at the distraction, but please don't eat the cheese cause you may get fat. You know what? If you over indulge in many things, you may put on weight. The key with cheese is like anything else -- moderation, moderation, moderation! It just really gets to me when some agenda driven group is allowed to put up a billboard as distracting as this. The DOT should have some sort of regulation against this type of advertising. I also think that those rolling billboards should not be allowed on our highways where people are traveling more than 70mph. Am I the only one who thinks this is a safety concern that someone should be looking at? There's enough road hazards out there every day that it's not in any one's best interest to provide additional distractions for drivers.
Look folks, if you sit, Ala George Costanza, in your underwear eating a giant block of cheese on a regular basis, or stuff a dozen or so double cheese-burgers down your throat every week -- you may develop a blockage or four. Putting a giant, obese, cellulite ridden thigh on a humongous sign above eye level on a well traveled road, just might kill you faster than that slice of cheese on your sub will. If the organization who paid for those gross billboards, took the money they paid, and gave it to a local food pantry, it would greatly help the many families who are struggling in today's economy.
Join me tomorrow when I write about how many times you should chew each bite!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Turkey, Turkey Trot & the Hottest Party Night of the Year:
The Thanksgiving holiday has always been one of my favorites. The three major components of this feeling has to do with the letter F --Family, food, & football. But beside the obvious attractions of the holiday, there is also a TT & an M involved in the mix. The annual Troy Turkey Trot begins on the holiday morning, downtown. Runners from all over the country take part in one of the USA's oldest road races, held right here in the Home of Uncle Sam. There is also a strong musical component added to the mix. For some reason, Thanksgiving Eve has become the biggest party night of the year.
Here in Troy, there will be plenty to do that night. The Ruck, located on 3rd St. will feature one of the best local bands around, Super 400. Members, Kenny Hohman, Lori Friday, & Joe Daley have traveled worldwide, waving the Troy banner proudly. They are throwback band of great musicians, who always put on a rockin show. Another HUGE show that night will take place at Revolution Hall. Emerald City, maybe one of the greatest rock bands to ever grace the local stages, come to the fabled music mecca, for their final show of 2011. The groups original members, Gary Brooks, Gary Tash, Rick Rourke, Ed Powers, Dave Costa, Gary Sagendorf, & Joe Mele, reunited after 30 years apart, and have not looked back. They have played every major Troy event this season (Troy Pig Out, Uncle Sam Jam, & Rockin on the River), and have gained a legion of new fans along the way. Their 4 part harmonies are unmatched by any local group, and their song list is like a classic rock jukebox. With three master guitarist leading the way, this will prove to be the best show of 2011. Sly Fox & the Hustlers will open, featuring the regional hit, SUNY Girl, from their latest CD --The Low-Life. Tickets are available at the door, which opens at 7 pm.
There will be music all over the city for you to choose from. It doesn't matter where you go, just come &, ENJOY TROY -- as I'll be doing!
Here in Troy, there will be plenty to do that night. The Ruck, located on 3rd St. will feature one of the best local bands around, Super 400. Members, Kenny Hohman, Lori Friday, & Joe Daley have traveled worldwide, waving the Troy banner proudly. They are throwback band of great musicians, who always put on a rockin show. Another HUGE show that night will take place at Revolution Hall. Emerald City, maybe one of the greatest rock bands to ever grace the local stages, come to the fabled music mecca, for their final show of 2011. The groups original members, Gary Brooks, Gary Tash, Rick Rourke, Ed Powers, Dave Costa, Gary Sagendorf, & Joe Mele, reunited after 30 years apart, and have not looked back. They have played every major Troy event this season (Troy Pig Out, Uncle Sam Jam, & Rockin on the River), and have gained a legion of new fans along the way. Their 4 part harmonies are unmatched by any local group, and their song list is like a classic rock jukebox. With three master guitarist leading the way, this will prove to be the best show of 2011. Sly Fox & the Hustlers will open, featuring the regional hit, SUNY Girl, from their latest CD --The Low-Life. Tickets are available at the door, which opens at 7 pm.
There will be music all over the city for you to choose from. It doesn't matter where you go, just come &, ENJOY TROY -- as I'll be doing!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Break out the band and STOP the PRESSES -- Bill Fisher is coming back to the 'Burgh. Only this time --with none of that yum yum pizza of his, now he's going hot dog!
Ladies & gentleman, please join Mr. Fisher on Thursday, November 17th, at 12 p.m. for the ribbon cutting, red carpet event, grand opening of, Willie's Dog House. Featuring Hembold's Hot Dogs, with Fishers, secret recipe sauce.
If you've never enjoyed a meal at any of Fishers establishments, do yourself a favor and stop in at his new/old location at the corner of 122nd St. & 5th Ave.
And as an extra added bonus, ask Bill to see you a Sinatra tune while waiting for your dogs. He used to advertise as Fishers -- Pizza With Attitude, now he's become
Willie's Dog House --Dog's with Attitude, that don't bite your wallet.
Welcome back Fisher --Ye was missed!
Ladies & gentleman, please join Mr. Fisher on Thursday, November 17th, at 12 p.m. for the ribbon cutting, red carpet event, grand opening of, Willie's Dog House. Featuring Hembold's Hot Dogs, with Fishers, secret recipe sauce.
If you've never enjoyed a meal at any of Fishers establishments, do yourself a favor and stop in at his new/old location at the corner of 122nd St. & 5th Ave.
And as an extra added bonus, ask Bill to see you a Sinatra tune while waiting for your dogs. He used to advertise as Fishers -- Pizza With Attitude, now he's become
Willie's Dog House --Dog's with Attitude, that don't bite your wallet.
Welcome back Fisher --Ye was missed!
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