A Hidden Gem in the Capital District of New York

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     On the corner of North Pearl Street and Clinton Avenue in the city of Albany is one of the city's more unique venues. The Palace Theater, an entertainment venue opened in 1931 for entertainment and community events, is one of two homes for the Grammy Award winning Albany Symphony Orchestra. Partnering with not only the Palace Theater, but also the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Rensselaer County, the Albany Symphony Orchestra is the oldest and most widely known orchestra in the Capital District and the surrounding counties of Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Saratoga Counties. Founded in 1930, the Albany Symphony use to be called the People's Orchestra of Albany.

Copyright dailygazette.com

     The Albany Symphony has been an integral part in the music scene and culture of Albany. As its mission statement, the Albany Symphony continues to perform new works by modern composers, thereby exposing audiences to a new generation of orchestral music. The Albany Symphony continues to provide an output for new composers to gain the experience of hearing there music performed by a live, large, modern orchestra. Continuing the Orchestra's tradition of conducting new compositions, the conductor David Allen Miller began conducting the orchestra in 1992. Coming up to his 25th season, the world renown conductor and orchestra has won many awards, including recently the Grammy Award for the Best Classical Instrumental Solo in 2014 and for its recording of John Corigliano's Conjurer - Concerto for Percussion & String Orchestra with soloist Evelyn Glennie. 

Copyright aplususa.com

     The Albany Symphony continues to hold its tradition of playing new music by not only educating the schools of the surrounding communities, but also by holding its annual American Music Festival. Teaming up with communities in downtown Troy, Albany Symphony held its most recent festival in the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. There, people were introduced to a series of works and compositions of varying form from new young composers. Performances were also shown through the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, and other small venues in and around Downtown Troy. The Symphony's commitment to entertaining and educating the surrounding communities, and commitment to engaging with old and new classical music makes the Albany Symphony one of a kind in the state of New York.

College Student's Living On Top

Hillside Commons: Anything but Common

By: Samantha Johnson (ONEONTA, NY)---

Hillside Commons is Oneonta’s newest off-campus housing options for students. The apartment complex opened up just three years ago and houses over 300 residents. There are seven different layout options for students to choose from. The complex has been open for three years now.

Hillside Commons
Hillside Website(c) 2016

The building is filled with various amenities that are available at the resident’s convenience. There is a state of the art gym open 24 hours a day, along with a tanning bed. There is a moving theater room equipped with an 84-inch TV and a lounge with both ping-pong and pool. When the weather permits, residents can grill outside with their friends. Free waffles are available every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A private shuttle transports residents from Hillside to campus every 15 minutes.

Hillside Shuttle
Hillside Commons Website (c) 2016

Each apartment is fully furnished, has a full kitchen with Whirlpool appliances, and a washer and dryer. Each resident has their bedroom with an attached or detached bathroom as well.  Hillside resident Catherine Morrone said, “I really love the fact that I have my own kitchen now. Instead of being at the dining hall, I can cook whatever food I want and I can eat at any time of the day, which is great.

Kitchen
Hillside Website(c) 2015

Hillside staff members are available on Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday’s from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday’s from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Hillside staff member Alyssa Spiconardi said, “Hillside is a very welcoming community and residents never hesitate to ask for help.” There is also a maintenance group available to fix any issues in the apartments as well as assist with any questions residents may have. Hillside offers tours during their office hours for any perspective residents. As its motto says, “Hillside Commons is anything but common.” 

Hillside Cafe
Hillside Commons Website(c) 2016

Hillside Commons Video Package

Changing Up the Game at Serenity Hobbies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06q61umBKBE

One of the best parts of living in Oneonta is the abundance of small local business that offer a variety of consumer options to locals and visitors. From restaurants to pet stores, you can find many things by exploring downtown Oneonta along Main Street. The unique options provide convenience to consumers by being located in a central location not too far from SUNY Oneonta, Hartwick University, or other parts of Oneonta. One of the business’s that some don’t know of is Serenity Hobbies. Originally known as Technoir, Nate Roberts and Steven Howard opened the game store in September 2013 off of Main Street. Serenity Hobbies specializes in board games, card games, comics, and more. They offer a variety of services such as local area network gaming on various video game machines, card tournaments for different card games, and even computer repair to private and commercial clients.

Online advertisement for Serenity Hobbies

When asked why Mr. Roberts decided to open a game store, he had replied, “…it’s kind of a dream to come in and just play games all day, talk about games with strangers and try to sell games that they would be interested in.” “The satisfaction of them actually liking it, and it’s a challenge, but it’s something I really enjoy.”

An inside look of the comic book area.

Mr. Roberts has always wanted to own and run a game store. “I’ve always pictured myself retiring into this business and not doing it while in my prime.” Mr. Roberts plans on owning and running the business for the foreseeable future. “I could die behind that counter. I could also take a check.” Roberts responds with laughter.

Nate Roberts (left), owner, and a customer.

What sets Serenity Hobbies apart from many of the game stores in the area is the location and space of the business, as well as the services. The gaming side of the business and the retail side are separated by the layout of the shop which is unique and hard for many small businesses to achieve.

The store is located on 254 Main Street but does not hold main street class, according to Mr. Roberts. If available to do so, he would like to see that change by relocating to a bigger office space that included its own sign that hangs above the shop door for passerby’s to see.