LITTLE ITALY NEWS JANUARY 2011

www.littleitalytroy.org troylittleitaly@gmail.com
Many thanks to Troy Little Italys Holiday volunteers
Troy Little Italy gratefully appreciates the efforts of the following who made our Christmas in Little Italy event attended by 100 people on December 4 a pleasant celebration
of Italian-American culture. Many thanks to Lisa and Terry Jordan and George Regan
as gracious hosts for providing their comfortable business establishments where our
events were held, Claire Davis for reading the story of LaBefana, Dr. Philip DiNovo
for the slide presentation on Italian holiday traditions, Stephen Iachetta (on fiddle) and
Willa Davey (on bagpipes) for providing holiday music, St. Anthony of Padua Church
for the gift of the Nativity set for the Ceppo, the woodworking class of Questar III for
constructing the Ceppo, Brother Philip from St. Anthonys for officiating at the blessing of the Ceppo, Jerry Favata for roasting chestnuts, Andrea Daley for the punch,
and Carmella Casale, Jane Otto, Joan Corscone and Jean Krueger for providing baked
goods. Both the community Christmas tree, donated by David W. Heer Realty from the
K & K Tree Farm, and the Ceppo were assembled and decorated by members of our
faithful volunteer group, Lisa and Terry Jordan, Andrea and Tim Daley, Jerry Favata,
David Graham, Michael and Matthew DeFazio and Joe Popson. Carl Jackson and Tim
Daley manned the traffic barriers on Washington and Hill. Thanks also to The Records
Cecilia Matinez for the article about our event and to all who attended. Troy Little Italy
extends greetings to all for a happy and healthy holiday season. Events committee
members Andrea Daley, Rocco DeFazio, Mike Esposito, and Marion Field.
St. Marys Nativity Set
The beautiful Nativity set which adorned an altar in St. Marys Church for many years
has been on display during the Christmas season in the window of Cuozzos Convenience Store at the corner of Division and Third Streets. Gene and Helen Cuozzo provided the space for the display which was set up by Sam Chiappone and other former
parishioners of St. Marys. It is hoped that the Nativity will be a part of future Christmas
season displays in the neighborhood.

Cookies...

LaBefana, Claire Davis

Maestro Steve Iachetta

Pizzelles

...and More Cookies

33, or Weed and Seed at 518-270-4689.

South Central/Little Italy in
the News
The Record
December 4, 2010 , p7.
Christmas, Italian style by Cecilia Martinez.
Troys Little Italy celebrates with its 2nd annual Christmas in Little Italy.
December 19, 2010. Pulse of the People
Many thanks. A thank you note from the
events committee to the many faithful volunteers who organized and worked at the
annual neighborhood Christmas celebration.
December 26, 2010. Pulse of the People
A Community Project. Jonathan Carrolls
thank you to those who assisted him in
refurbishing and helping organize the Veterans Day rededication ceremony at the WWII
monument site on Third Street.

New Facility for Josephs House on Fourth at Hill St. in South Troy
Josephs House residents to move in soon
The new building at the intersection of Fourth and Hill Streets in South Troys Little Italy
neighborhood will open soon. Tracy Neitzel, Director of the Josephs House organization, says
their new facility should begin to be occupied in the first weeks of March. The building will
be home to sixteen of Josephs Houses permanent residents. It will also provide office space
for the non-profit organization. The ground floor is designated for commercial usage, the occupants to be announced. The project began construction about a year ago and has developed
into an edifice which visually integrates very nicely with the surrounding buildings, matching
roof and window lines. The brick and concrete materials chosen complement the buildings
found nearby. Ms. Neitzel says that Josephs House hopes to host an open house when the
project is finished and will invite the neighborhood inside the facility to get acquainted. Troy
Little Italy wishes Josephs House all the best as they pursue their mission to provide affordable housing to persons in need within the new building.
TROY SHARES
With the New Year there is a unique concept
being created in the neighborhoods of Troy, it
is called TROY SHARES; we share our talents and time. The process is called Time
Banking.
Time banking is simply about spending an
hour doing something for somebody in your
community. That hour goes into the Time
Bank as a Time Dollar. Then you have a Time
dollar to spend on having someone doing
something for you. Its a simple idea, but it
has powerful ripple effects in building community connections.

problems with garbage?

There is a specific contact at DPW to assist
us with garbage concerns. David Dean (former TPD officer) is now working at DPW to
deal with resident concerns. He has kindly
shared his cell phone and email info. Please
feel free to contact him with concerns at:
Dave Dean, 858-1895 or tpdpio@gmail.
com. As always, the more detailed information you can provide him with the better.
Pictures and correct addresses are helpful.
FREE TAX PREPARATION
This service is free for families and people
who have an income below $49,000. Unity
House and Westside Waterfront Weed and
Seed are partnering with the Italian Community Center (ICC) to provide this service. The
ICC is located at 1450 Fifth Avenue and is
handicap accessible. To schedule an appointment call Unity House at 518-272-2352 Ext.

planning board, City Council

The next regular meeting of the City of
Troy Planning Board will be held on
Thursday February 10, 2011, in the second floor conference room of Troy City
Hall, 1776 Sixth Ave, in order to hear and
decide on proposals for development.
The Troy City Council will next meet at
7pm, Thurs., Feb.3, at .Christ Church United Methodist at 35 State Street in Troy. The
public is invited to attend both meeting.
Clean Outs!
If you need to clean out: basements, attics,
storage areas, garages, backyards etc. we can
do the job. Call for pricing and scheduling:
Brian 518-365-9431 or 518-470-7369.
South Central History DVD
A limited supply of the three part DVD on
the history of the South Central/Little Italy neighborhood will be available for sale
soon by Troy Little Italy. Part One of the
35 minute DVD is a brief documentary of
the neighborhood reunion held in the old
public market following the June 2004 Flag

Help Resources
Emergencies
Traffic Safety
Non-Emergencies
Downtown Station
North Station
South Station
Community Police
Special Operations
Animal Control
Tip Line, Anonymous
Detective Unit

911
270-5157
270-4411
270-4421
237-2398
273-1682
270-4689
270-5854
270-4640
270-5004
270-4426

Day parade. The video was created in a

workshop at RPI by Tamara Gordon. Part
Two is a selection of 30 photos Michael Esposito chose from his book Troys Little Italy which he uses during book promotional
tours. Part Three is the result of the neighborhood history project developed by Dan
Lennon and narrated by Rocco DeFazio,
Michael Esposito, Lisa Graham, and Frank
LaPosta Visco for last years Troy Quadricentennial celebration . It features 130 vintage photos of the neighborhood - people,
places and events. Proceeds from the sale of
the DVD will be used to support programs
and events sponsored by Troy Little Italy.
To reserve a copy of the DVD contact Rocco
at DeFazios Import Store, 264 Fourth Street
by calling 274-8866 or emailing rdefazio@
nycap.rr.com.
Italian Humor
An 80 year old Italian goes to the doctor for
a check-up. The doctor is amazed at what
good shape the guy is in and asks, How do
you stay in such great physical condition?
Im Italian and Im a golfer, and thats why
Im in such good shape. Im up well before
daylight and out golfing up and down the
fairways. I have a glass of vino, and all is
well. Well, says the doctor, Im sure that
helps, but theres got to be more to it. How
old was your father when he died? Who
said my father was dead? The doctor is
amazed. You mean your father is still alive,
how old is he? Hes 100 years old , says
the golfer. In fact he golfed with me this
morning, and then went down to the topless beach for a walk, had a little vino and
thats why hes still alive. Hes Italian and
hes a golfer. How about your fathers father? How old was he when he died? Who
said my Nonos dead? Stunned, the doctor
asks, you mean youre 80 years old and
your grandfather is still living! Incredible,
how old is he. Hes 118 years old, says
the old Italian golfer. The doctor is getting
frustrated at this point. So I guess he went
golfing with you this morning too? No,
Nono couldnt go this morning because hes
getting married today. At this point the doctor is close to losing it. Getting married!!
Why would a 118 year old guy want to get
married Who said he wanted to?
Capital Region Bike Rack
Program
The application materials for the 2011 Capital
Region Bike Rack Program are now available
on the CDTA web site. The direct link is http://
www.cdta.org/iride.
The program can provide
Free bike racks for the public and non-

Removal of hazardous waste in South Troy

tanks a lot....
but not anymore. Heres the picture of the contractors for New York State DEC removing not
one but four abandoned fuel tanks buried at the intersection of Hill, Liberty and Fourth Streets
in South Troy. The work was done in mid-December. The clean-up is part of a larger effort in
the Little Italy neighborhood to clean up contamination left decades ago after properties which
produced or used hazardous materials were abandoned for other uses. At this site two former
gasoline tanks were pulled from the ground and removed while two more gas storage tanks
embedded in concrete were emptied of all contents and filled with sand. No one knew when the
diggers started excavating the site what would be found. The four tanks discovered were a surprise as its a large number for such a small site. Now the site has bee remediated, it will be repaved and landscaped later this year, yet another welcome improvement within our community..
profit sectors, up to $1,000 value,
50/50 cost sharing for the private sector,
up to $1,000 total value (up to $500 from
the Bike Rack Program)
Shelters and lockers are also available
this year.
Applications are due at the address below or to
bikerackprogram@cdta.org by February 25,
2011. Forward this information to anyone in
Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties who you think would be interested in applying for this streetscape amenity.
For more information contact Carrie Ward,
CDTA, 110 Watervliet Avenue, Albany, NY
12206, (518) 437-6865, Fax (518) 437-8349,
Email - carriew@cdta.org.

park it in the market

That is, when there is snow on the street,
the sidewalks and in front of your building,
consider parking your car in the Little Italy
Marketplace, Hill St. between Washington
and Liberty Streets. The reason to do this
is that the City of Troy will then be able to
plow in front of you building so the you can
resume parking there after they have plowed.

Remember to shop at the

pioneer food market
The Pioneer Food Market, 77-81 Congress St.,
between Third and Fourth St. in downtown
Troy is open daily 8 am to 8pm. Call 518720-3183 or online at www.troyfoodcoop.org,
Pepsi Refresh Grant
We have good news to report. The Troy
Downtown Collaborative with an assist
from RPI students is in the running for a
$250,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant for the month
of January to revitalize the economy of Troy
If funded the following projects will be supported:

Thanks to all the

contributors and volunteers
who made troy little italys
season bright

A business development plan to bring

at least 10 new businesses Downtown in
a year, either owned by a local college
graduate or specifically catering to the
needs of our student population.
A support system, business plan assistance and training, collaborative advertising and reduced price commercial
rents, to ensure the long term success of
new entrepreneurs.
Streetscape improvements, including
kiosks, improved directional signage
and security equipment. Student designed large-scale public art project.
Creation of special events and marketing collateral specifically designed to
attract thousands of students to downtown to patronize our small businesses,
doubling the local client base.
Vote DAILY at www.refresheverything.
com/downtowntroy. Sign in and vote. You
may also text your vote 105518 to 73774.
Please Promote this project on your Facebook pages, web sites, blogs, newsletters,
in person, and by any other communication method available to you. Volunteers are
working with a group of student leaders to
virtually promote the project to our students
throughout the month and working with others on campus on engaging the staff, faculty,
and visitors.
neighborhood watch and Troy
little italy regular meeting
schedule
Januarys meeting will be on Wed.,Jan. 18,
Februarys meeting on Wed., Feb. 16, 6pm
at 233 Fourth St. All are welcome to attend. Bring your news and concerns, meet
your neighbors and friends. Officer Chris
McDonald of the Troy Community Police
will be in attendance with news and updates on safety issue for this neighborhood
bingo!
Troy Little Italy Bingo is every Sunday at
the Troy Atrium between Broadway and
Fulton Streets. Doors open at noon with the
early Bird Special starting at 1:45pm, regular
games at 2pm. Theres $3.000. in cash prizes
every week. with earnings benefiting the many
programs sponsored by Troy Little Italy. .

We want to thank all the people in and

out of the Little Italy neighborhood who
helped prepare and present the holiday
festivities this year. Our tree is still up
and will be there through most of January.
The tree was made possible by David W.
Heer Realty who purchased and had the
tree delivered. The tree came from K&K
Tree Farm in Melrose and what a fine tree
it is. It was erected by a team who provided materials to keep the tree standing
and stable in the wind and snow. Funds
to purchase lights were given by individuals in the community and by the Troy
Little Italy Neighborhood Association.

Loading the Christmas Tree to take back to Troy

Little Italy Volunteers - Joe Popson directs

operations while Marion Field observes

A team of nine volunteers decorates the tree

Restoration Specialists, 253 Fourth St.,

Troy, NY
Restoration specialists shop
opens
Theres a new shop at 253 Fourth St. in Little
Italy located between Adams and Washington
Streets. Andrea Daley, proprietor of Restoration Specialists, has refurbished a basement
storefront which is now open for business and
it is lovely, indeed. Her business has existed
for many years in other locations and now in
Troy. Andrea is an expert in restoration and repair of objects of art, furniture, antiques, sculpture, paintings and picture frames and many
other items. Andrea can repair and refurbish
almost any surface. She also specializes in the
rebuilding and refinishing of historic entries,
for example, big Victorian or other architecturally styled doorways with its surrounds.
Call Andrea at 518 470 7369 to discuss repairs. She plans a grand opening in the spring but until then stop by her
place to see Little Italys newest business.

Flavour Cafe opens new

location
After six years of serving great food, coffee
and being a hub of community activity, business partners Charlie Staats and Joe Mancino
have opened Flavour 2 Go at 501 Colunbia
Turnpike (Rt.v9&20) at the Columbia Plaza
Shopping Center in Rensselaer. The new business serves coffee, breakfast warps, baked
goods, and homemade soups at a drive up window. Hours of operation are Mon. - Sat, 7:00
am - 7:00pm and Sunday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm.
Check them out on Facebook, email flavour2go@yahoo.com, or call 518.477.5433. Troy
Little Italy wishes Flavour 2 Go all the best as
they begin 2011 and a new business enterprise.
Stop in to see them when down that way. .