Monthly Archives: October 2011

MoHu Motion – Gallery Spin – 1st (2nd) Friday Art Ride

Local cyclists helped the MoHu Festival (http://mohufest.com/) toward its goal of 50,000 visitors. MoHu is a 9 day-long arts festival of happening all over Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Saratoga counties. It features theatre, dance, music, visual, and random acts of art.

The two riders started out with a pre-ride visit to the Ultra Violet show the Upstate Artists Guild and then cruised back into the Park to pick up late comers (of which there was none). We lucked out by hitting the outstanding Underground Artist exhibit “Athletic Annex” during the downpour. Once again, the Underground Artists mounted an innovative and exciting show spread through three floors of the handball courts at the University Club on Dove.

We next visited the Trifecta Pop-Up Gallery on Hudson, the Opalka Galley on the re-paved (thank you Albany) New Scotland Ave, and ended up at the Massery Galley on Madison Ave. (hopefully soon to be three lanes with bicycle lanes).

Written by Lorenz Worden

Leave a comment

Filed under First Friday, Support the Cause

In Brief from the ABC News Letter

Some interesting things have been happening at ABC lately and I thought I’d bring the most interesting to your attention.

First off we finally have a set of by-laws ratified by the voting members of ABC. Secondly a group of folks stepped up to be the temporary leadership of ABC while we are looking for more permanent people. Here is an excerpt from the news letter:

Bylaws – At ABC’s, 9/29 meeting, we
unanimously approved the bylaws by a voice
(and one e-mail) vote.
Temporary Officers – ABC’s by laws call for
nomination of candidates prior to May each
year, elections in May, and assuming office after
the June meeting. We will follow this procedure
for officers for the 2012-13 year. For the
remainder of 2011-12, the following have agreed
to stand for interim office:
Pres – Lorenz M. Worden
VP – John Vendetti
Treasurer – Toni Cameron
Secretary – Claire Nolan

If you would like to run or vote for the new leadership of ABC all you need to do is become a member which costs $25. Thanks to everyone who stepped up to fill the positions.

Written by Chris Belsole

Leave a comment

Filed under Article

APD Launches a Pedestrian Safety Initiative

This one comes from Mary Lou:

“Yesterday APD launched a Pedestrian Safety initiative. I’ve attached their press release. I don’t know if any TV stations picked it up yet, but the All Over Albany website posted something yesterday and there’s some interesting discussion. I think it will be important to have to ABC voices chiming in — and they may already be! Here’s a link to the “All Over Albany” piece: Red Light Stop

We here at the Albany Bicycle Coalition support any push to make the roads safer for everyone weather they be bike, pedestrian, or yes even motorists. I think we can all agree that running red lights in Albany is a rampant blight on our ability to be safe on the roads. It has gotten to the point where when the light turns green I look both ways to see if there are any cars zooming by because the light was still orange.

Not being a native of Albany when I moved here a little over a year and a half ago I was appalled when I saw how people drove up here. Even my own friends, who I assumed were safe drivers, ran the lights. When questioned they said, “That’s how people drive up here.” When the wrong becomes the norm it is time for a change.

Written by Chris Belsole

Leave a comment

Filed under Article

Upper Madison Ave. Street Fair

Come one, come all to the (first?) Upper Madison Ave. Street Fair this Sunday where we will block off the street between N. Allen and W. Laurence to make room for the most fun you’ve had since the Reagan administration.

Come chat with us and lean about the multitude of things, blog posts to follow, that are happening at the Albany Bicycle Coalition. Next to ABC will be yours truly representing the Albany Bicycle Rescue (ABR) where we will doing minor repairs and giving tutorials on bike repair and safety.

“Silly Pet Tricks (register day of event)

Bouncy Bounce

Bicycle Rodeo (kids’ bike activity)

Albany Bike Tech (free minor bike repairs)

Let’s Drum, hands on fun activity

Vintage Car Display

$1 Massage

5-minute Mini Hairdo Makeover

Bike Polo with NEU Officers

On stage, enjoy the sights and sounds of the Guided Footsteps dance group, Annie and the Hedonists, the Landfill Mountain Boys, Golden Notes a capella group, swing dancers, and Emmaus African and Youth Choirs. Bring a lawn chair to set up in front of the stage.

There will be a host of shopping opportunities as artists, crafters, local farmers and food vendors display their wares. You can even come away a winner from 50-50 raffles and valuable prizes.

Call 518-438-5484 for latest information, including cancellation in case of rain and check Pine Hills NA http://pinehillsna.org and Steamer 10 www.steamer10theatre.org websites for program updates. Also, look for us on facebook (Pine Hills NA and Upper Madison).”

Written by Chris Belsole

Leave a comment

Filed under Article

First Friday Ride Rescheduled

Sorry guys. The fan belt was broken on this blog and I had to order special parts from a small mountain town in China which I had to go retrieve myself to get this thing repaired. The trek was long and I’ve gotten mugged more than a few times, but I am back no worse for the ware.

Lame fake excuses aside here we go. *Turns ignition*

The First Friday Gallery Spin has been rescheduled for today as it usually falls on the First Friday event that happens in Albany every, you guessed it, first Friday. Stan Lee type alliterations aside, the reason for this change was that MoHu Fest, whatever that means, is happening this weekend. So instead of our usual activities we present to you a super charged day of cycling and art as you have never seen before.

“2011 marks the inaugural outing of this annual 9 day-long arts festival to be held every October in Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties. MoHu features theatre, dance, music, visual and random acts of art throughout the region.”

I like that phrase “random acts of art.” It makes it seem like the greasers are going to come by and paint the Mona Lisa on any blank surface they can paying attention to the intricate brush work with the skill of a master artisan.

Written by Chris Belsole

Leave a comment

Filed under Article, First Friday