August 11, 2011 (Midtown Tap & Tea Room)

Tonight was my first visit to the Midtown Tap and Tea Room at 289 New Scotland Avenue in Albany and if you haven’t yet visited, you are missing out a great coffeehouse which also has a full bar and serves a full menu.  Now this diet coke girl doesn’t drink coffee but the atmosphere was so charming and relaxing, I am definitely suggesting this as a spot for a relaxing cup. There were several people sitting at the tables with their fingers flying along the keys of their laptops but they still seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere at the same time. 

I was meeting with my friends Peter and Norman to discuss our Wishaphant project which begins with a children’s book, “The Mysterious Lunch at Hope Street Elementary” written by Dr. Peter DeWitt.  The book focuses on healthy choices for children and we would love for you to check out our project at www.wishaphants.com to learn more.  If you have children, we have added a few activity pages to our site that we encourage parents to print and use to create a dialogue with their children to discuss healthy eating and choices.  With childhood obesity being a leading concern, it is the goal of our group to bring these books to children at no cost in order to increase awareness about healthy living and choices.   

August 10, 2011 (Schenectady Chamber business after hours mixer)

Tonight I headed to The Van Dyke Restaurant & Lounge on Union Street for the Schenectady Chamber of Commerce business after hours mixer where I ran into many friends, fellow Rotarians and local business contacts including my new friends from ShopRite -- Ken, Tom, Teresa and Shannon.  ShopRite is opening its first market in this region in nearby Niskayuna and I happy that they are investing in this area and bringing jobs with them. 

I attended this evenings event as a representative of the Schenectady Rotary Club and together with my fellow Rotary Happy Hour Cabinet members, Betty and Carmel, tonight was all about building friendships and camaraderie in the community.  First of all, The Van Dyke is a great location complete with their new Mad Jack Brewery where you can enjoy an array of fresh brewed beers.  Although I am not a beer enthusiast, I have many friends who say they enjoy the taste of locally brewed beers and it is nice to have a brewery right here in our backyard.

Additionally, if you are a local business owner, the Schenectady Chamber of Commerce is an organization you definitely want to become a part of.  The Chamber continues to create a better business environment by promoting this region and continuing to attract local business and encourage their owners to invest in the community. 

Finally and just as important is joining your local Rotary Association.  Although there are several local rotary clubs in this area, I joined the Rotary Club of Schenectady since I live and work in downtown Schenectady.  This Rotary Club was established in 1918 and today continues in their mission to provide humanitarian service and build goodwill and peace.  I joined last year and became a member of their Board of Directors last month and I certainly encourage you to come check out this organization and decide for yourself.    

August 9, 2011 (Jumping Jack's)

Although the sky was cloudy and it was certain to rain in the future, my friend Margaret and I decided to take a chance and run out for some lunch to Jumpin Jack's in Scotia, near Collins Park.  I am sure that if you are from this area or have visited, you have made a stop at this iconic drive in.  It is definitely a place that I remember coming as a child when on field trips from my school days in Gloversville.  During today's visit, I had a fish fry while my friend had the famous "jack burger", complete with coleslaw on top. 

What is exciting about this adventure to Jumpin Jacks is that those behind the counter are extremely efficient while at the same time entertaining.  When it is busy, you seem to shout your order to the person behind the counter by yelling from 3 rows back what you would like.  That person in turn yells to the cooks behind them some variation that they all seem to comprehend.  I believe that a fish fry and onion rings is interpreted to be a "whale" because that is all they shouted after my order and I am hopeful that they were not commenting on my attire or anatomy (yikes).  

If you check out their website for a schedule of events, while having a bite to eat, you can also check out a US Water Ski Show Team practice.  I did that last year and it is a great show.  

To top off my night, I had dinner at friend and fellow rotarian Fred's home featuring his famous pulled pork which I am told takes several days to prepare and smoke. Although his wife Chris did happen to mention after dinner that although the pork is smoked with cherry wood, Fred has been known to take a shortcut and use propane when necessary to get the smoker started, his secret is out. Dinner was topped off with a fabulous blueberry pie that Fred picked up from Lakeside Farms in Ballston Lake, their pies are fantastic.  Fred is so gracious and every year invites the new rotarians and their sponsors to dinner to celebrate their joining of the Schenectady Rotary. A great night with fellow rotarian's! 

August 8, 2011 (SCCC, JLSS and Smart Scholar's program)

As a member and past president of the Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties (JLSS), today is one of my favorite days because today is the day that JLSS, as part of its Operation Back to School program hands out backpacks and supplies to the 9th grade children who are part of the Smart Scholar's Program at Schenectady County Community College.  We will supply those that completed their first year and are entering their second on August 19th.

Since its inception in 2003 (by then Junior League President Denise McGraw), JLSS's Operation Back to School Program has donated more than 8,000 backpacks and supplies to children in the Schenectady City School District. 

The Junior League ladies packing the backpacks.

What is there to love about Schenectady?  This program and the collaboration between organizations which work together to create a better community.  JLSS would not be able to continue supporting each of these students without our sponsors.  A special thank you to this year's sponsors Huntington Learning Center, Mary Catherine and David White, Stewart's, WGY and Fenimore Asset Management.  I am so very proud to be a part of this collaboration.

August 7, 2011 (Saratoga Polo Association)

Today I am off to watch the Whitney Cup Polo Challenge at the Saratoga Polo Association.  Here I am with friends Mary Catherine, Julie, Denise, and Paula in front of the Lilly Pulitzer jeep. 

This was my very first visit to the Saratoga Polo Association (which was founded in 1898 and is one of the four oldest Polo clubs in the United States), but I can assure you, it will not be my last.  It was very exciting to watch.  I can barely hit a golf ball and watching the polo team hit the ball while riding a horse and swinging a very long club, so very fun!    

This is a great way to spend the afternoon and although club house admission is $25 per person, you can take a more casual approach and enter through the general admission area and pay $25 a carload and tailgate your way through the event.  What fun and right in our back yard! 

August 6, 2011 (Taking a walk)

Saturday morning, woke up early to meet my friend Carmel for a 4 mile walk along the bike trail that begins at Schenectady County Community College.  It is a well-kept blacktopped trail that has mile markers at 1/4 mile intervals and some great views of the Mohawk River.  Generally we walk 2 miles in (there is a cute little yellow building that when I see it, I know means I have made it the 2 miles without checking for the mile markers) and then a 2 mile walk back.  We did this in 61 minutes, yeah!  This is a great way to get your heart rate up while enjoying beautiful views and of course, doing it with a friend, makes it that much more enjoyable. 

Later that morning, after a visit to Latham with friend Julie to pick up a hat for a Saratoga event.  I met some fellow members of Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties at Schenectady County Community College for some packing of backpacks to distribute early in the week to the Schenectady Smart Scholars Students.  More details to follow on Monday when we distribute the backpacks to the children.

Those activities were followed up with a fabulous lunch with friends Julie and Carmel at Gershon's Deli on Upper Union Street. Gershon's Deli has been in business since 1954 and wow their seafood salad sandwich was amazing.  It is a New York Style Deli right here in town, stop by for lunch and also browse their unique cooking supplies, including sauces from our local Casa Visco company.  Julie surprised us both with a KeyLime bar to take home for dessert, WOW, delicious. 

Do you have a favorite place you like to walk? 

August 5, 2011 (Best Burger?)

Some people wait for the weekends to rest, relax and catch their breath before the beginning of a new week and although I do that occasionally, more often than not, I love to visit with friends and enjoy what is going on around me. 

My weekend began by having a burger with my friend York at one of my favorite burger establishments, The Grog Shoppe on Erie Boulevard.  If you haven't yet stopped over there for a burger, let me suggest the Grog burger, complete with pineapple and special sauce, yummy!  After dinner, I had a movie date with a friend at the Bow-Tie Cinema on State Street.  While the movie "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" was mildly entertaining, it is such a treat to be able to walk to see a first run movie, while sitting in a comfortable seat and if you are interested, you could even enjoy a glass of wine in their movieland cafe prior to the movie.

I am always on the lookout for a good burger, where is your favorite burger place in town?