Note:  This article was first published on Albany 2 Cents.

I taught my first college course at the age of 23. I remember the first day of class. Check that; I remember the first day before class. I stood in front of my closet for what seemed like hours, staring at my clothing. Will this pink sweater make me look too young? Do people wear stockings in the spring? Should I wear a suit?

Will they take me seriously because of my age?

The question of age has risen recently in the Capital Region with the case of Christina Abele. A 22-year-old graduate of Siena College, Abele was offered the supervisor position at the Saratoga County Animal Shelter. The young woman reportedly volunteered at the shelter for a few years before applying for the position—which she won over 62 other applicants. In addition to a large budget, the person appointed to the supervisor position would oversee a team of staff and volunteers. When it was announced that Abele was the final candidate chosen for the position, a public outcry ensued over — you guessed it — Abele’s age.

Read the rest of this entry →

Note:  This article was originally posted to Albany 2 Cents.

It’s the second event in less than a week to be cancelled at the Washington Avenue Armory, and ticketholders have taken to the venue’s Facebook page to vent.

Excision—a dubstep DJ and music producer from Canada—was booked and set to perform on Thursday, March 12. Reports say that performance was shut down after disputes about security. Another electronic music event called “Electric Safari” was shut down by the city of Albany just hours before doors were supposed to open on Friday, March 8.

After speaking with a promoter involved with the Electric Safari event, I was told that all necessary permits were secured from the city. Regardless, that promoter stated that the event was cancelled because of the fact that it involved DJs rather than bands. In both cases, each event was cancelled on the day of the performance, and after tour busses arrived, electrical equipment was set up, and—most importantly to patrons—tickets were sold.

Read the rest of this entry →

Note:  This article was originally published to Albany 2 Cents.

Maybe it’s because I grew up outside of rural Altamont and suburban Colonie.  Maybe it’s because it’s because I truly fear death, or at least, broken bones. Maybe it’s because my kindergarten teacher really drilled the concept of “left, right, left” into my adolescent head.

Whatever the reason, I still fail to understand why people refuse to safely cross Central Avenue.

It’s ten o’clock on a Wednesday night, and I’m finally getting out of work. As I leave the studio, I am tired, and simply cannot wait to climb into my Hyundai Accent, make the fifteen-minute drive home, plop on my couch and watch the latest episode of The Walking Dead. When I get into my car, I fasten my seatbelt. I lock my doors (“just in case,” Mom always said). I check my mirrors. I do not text. I safely pull into traffic and begin driving down Central Avenue in Albany.

Central Avenue is not the most interesting street in the area. Firstly, it’s very straight. It doesn’t curve much. When I lived in Altamont, I remember Route 146 being rather curvy, especially when met by roads leading to a drive to Thatcher Park. When I visit my parents in Delmar, I am subjected to a ridiculous series of three roundabouts which—after I clear each one—I almost expect to be greeted by Mark Summers to award me a trip to Space Camp and new pair of British Knight sneakers, or to have green slime dumped on my head. When I lived in Bethlehem, I remembered drives through Voorheesville, where I needed to be ever-vigilant for Bambi and his mom, who could be stealthily hiding in the shadows, waiting to dart in front of my car and ruin my evening (or, at the very least, my front bumper).

Read the rest of this entry →