CAP REGION NY

Training Up With Gabby: Build Your Skills, Knowledge & Earning Power!

September 22, 2020 By Maureen Sager

By: Gabby Fisher, ACE Digital Media Manager & Entrepreneur, in conjunction with Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) Career Launchpad.

I’ve had some extra time on my hands due to the limitations of COVID-19. I’m sure you can relate. The question is, what have you been doing with the extra time? Some of us have been brushing up on our cooking techniques, exercising more (or watching a lot more TV – that’s cool too), or have been using this time to reflect and explore my professional goals (me!).

What do I want out of a career? What do I want to achieve in the next 5-10 years? How can I make myself more marketable? How can I make more money?

Sure, I have a Bachelor’s Degree and work experience in different fields – but there is SO much more to learn. Technology is changing. The way people work and consume is changing. Everyday! The only way to keep up is to invest in continued learning and professional development. Whether it’s to enhance your skills in the field you’re currently working in or to learn new skills for a better career.

Don’t take my word for it…here’s what I’ve heard from fellow freelancers and business owners during the COVID-19 crisis…

But wait, there’s more…Did you know?…

Bottom line…to be marketable and excel in your career, you need to launch yourself to the next level by investing in yourself and education.

Don’t know where to start? I do. Career Launchpad by Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC).

Why did I choose this route? To name a few reasons…the education comes from a nationally accredited institution, it’s online, it’s easy to get started, and it’s affordable. Invest in yourself. I’m going to. Follow my journey as I jump into the Career Launchpad program at HVCC and take my skills, knowledge, and earning power to the next level.

First step: fill out the interest form! It takes less than a minute. Check it out below and click here to fill yours out today!

Stay tuned for more!

CapNY Apple Picking Map (Plus Craft Beverages, To Boot)!

September 20, 2020 By wordpress

By: Gabby Fisher, ACE Digital Manager

There is nothing that says a CapNY fall like being out in the orchard on a crisp sunny day! Whether you’re competing for the best looking apple or chowing down as many cider donuts as your stomach will allow, it’s a great day out for families and friends. The only hard part is trying to save room for the homemade apple crisp later.

Upstate New York is known for some of the best apple picking IN THE WORLD. Even though you may have a favorite spot, I challenge you to visit a new spot this year! Try our downloadable Google map of the “U-Pick” locations all over the Cap Region, which you can find at the bottom of the page.

We’ve also marked all of the nearby local brews and ciders, to check out before or after your orchard adventures.

Here are some of our orchard and craft beverage combo picks…

Albany County: Indian Ladder Farms & Meadowdale Winery

My nephew and I…see what I mean about the views from the farm!

A visit to Indian Ladder Farms is an annual tradition in my family. There are so many things to see and do at this farm aside from great apple picking (Honeycrisp are my favorite by the way). They have farm animals that you can pet and feed, incredible scenery, drool worthy cider donuts, a restaurant, brewery…and the list goes on… You could spend the whole day here, but if you’re looking to explore more of the Altamont area, there are a few spots I’d recommend exploring.

Beautiful Thatcher Park. You can see Meadowdale Winery from the lookout spot.

Head on over to Meadowdale Winery to try one of their nine wines (some award winning!) made wholly of New York ingredients. You might be happy to know that this spot is an ultra-low-carbon, zero-waste winery. Win-win! Then, you HAVE to venture right nearby to Thatcher State Park to see enjoy the beautiful fall foliage and if you’re feeling up to it, explore one of the trails and you might see a few small waterfalls!

Rensselaer County: Windy Hill Orchard East & Stable Gate Winery

I think I am just going to let these next few photos speak for themselves…

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! These are just a few of homemade desserts you can enjoy at Windy Hill Orchard East after you pick your apples. They also have wagon rides, a corn maze, sunflower field, fire pits and frequently have food trucks and live entertainment to enjoy! This place has it all.

If you’re looking to maximize your time in the area, head on over to Stable Gate Winery. Stop by for a wine tasting, some live music, yoga on the farm, or even brunch! Their events calendar is always jam packed.

Between these two spots, you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable day.

Enjoy & don’t forget to tag us in all of your Instagrammable moments, @upstatecreative and use #CapNY #getCAPtivated #UpstateCreative!

Click HERE to download a PDF list of all of the Apple Orchard locations

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#CapNYRedAlert Profile: Jon Elbaum, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

September 17, 2020 By Maureen Sager

Like many venues in the Capital Region, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall cancelled or postponed their Spring and Fall 2020 concerts series. Further, Executive Director Jon Elbaum is feeling “pretty questionable” about Spring 2021. The impact of that loss is shared by many. “We won’t be hiring stagehands, caterers, and doing our usual marketing and media buys,” Elbaum said. “That’s 50,000 fewer patrons coming to Troy, where they’d be shopping and dining.” Their annual budget used to be $2 million, and it’s now shrunk to a small percentage of that.

Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Executive Director Jon Elbaum

Despite these challenges, TSBMH was able to put on drive-in concerts this summer. Additionally, 20 outdoor shows brought entertainment to nearby al fresco restaurant patrons. “The artists were so thankful for the chance to perform,” Elbaum said. This winter, they’ll be streaming performances from the hall. “This won’t make up for lost income, but it will help our patrons and supporters to see these performances and stay connected with us”

Jon Elbaum’s Recommendations

ACE asked Elbaum what would help TSBMH, and he mentioned the following:

Federal relief legislation, including Senator Chuck Schumer’s Save Our Stages bill
Grants, rather than loans. (“The loans were helpful, but we need more.”)
Clear communications and guidelines regarding reopening. (“Rules, timeline, health criteria, and more,” Elbaum stressed.)

The biggest unknown is whether audiences will be comfortable coming back inside the nation’s venues, Elbaum said. “There is so much riding on that.”

Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is located at 30 2nd St, Troy, NY 12180-3292.

Support TSBMH and our other local creative businesses and organizations by participating in #CapNYRedAlertNov1. Click here to register today.

CapNY Insider Tips: Automated Edition

September 14, 2020 By wordpress

Sign up, pay online, get a code, unlock your kayak/life jacket/paddle, ADVENTURE! Upstate Kayak Rentals makes the process of self-service kayak rentals THAT easy and that’s why they’re included in this week’s first edition of CapNY Insider Tips.

The only difficult part of the process was choosing one of the eight paddle locations – many of which I’ve never explored before. My friend Cassie and I chose the Klamstream Kayak Launch in Clifton Park, which allowed us to explore the area of the Mohawk River underneath the twin bridges – making for some pretty cool Instagram pics, as seen below.

Unlock the kayaks with your special code

After I chose our launch spot, I picked a reservation time, paid the $50+tax (for the two of us, total!) for a three hour adventure, and then I got an email with the instructions.

Day of, we met at Klamstream and quickly unlocked our kayaks and went on our way. We loved the fact that we didn’t have to wait in line and could leisurely take off on our own schedule. It made for such a peaceful, serene experience and we were truly able to enjoy one another’s company. It was by far the easiest, most enjoyable kayak experience I’ve ever had. I cannot wait to explore the other seven launch spots.

IMPORTANT NOTE! Sign up for Upstate Kayak’s FREE adventure: Paddle-Pedal the Mohawk: Schenectady and Niskayuna. Learn more here!

If you happen to embark on your paddle adventure at Klamstream launch, pop over across the street to The Klamr Tavern & Marina for DELICIOUS pub food and some craft beers. One of the best buffalo chicken wraps I’ve ever had…

Connect with Upstate Kayak Rentals!
Website / Email / Phone: 518-209-1063 / IG / FB

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#CapNYRedAlert

September 8, 2020 By wordpress

There is no doubt that COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on creative industries across the globe.

Simply put, the Capital Region creative industries are a critical sector of our economy and are crucial to our recovery.

Our local creative businesses and organizations bring vibrancy into our region.

These industries, and the creative people who make them come alive, are resilient. We will overcome. It is time to lift each other up — to support ourselves and our institutions in the darkest of times like they support us in our own dark times. Stand up in solidarity. We have an idea on how to do just that…#CapNYRedAlert

How to Participate

Register via the link toward the bottom of this page, to receive information and updates about #CapNYRedAlert.
Show your support and share your story on social media, tagging #CapNYRedAlert.
Buy a red lightbulb. You can purchase them online, here, or at a local hardware store. Please #SupportLocal!
Replace the light bulb in front of your house/business (over your front door, on your porch, etc.) with the red lightbulb and shine it bright! As we head into Daylight Savings Time, the shortened days will add even more hardship to creative businesses struggling to stay afloat, as outdoor dining and performances wind down.
Donate to not-for-profit arts organizations and artist support programs like…

Creative Impact: The Capital Region Artist Fund

Show Your Support & Spread the Word!

Scroll below to register.
Share your support by posting the #CapNYRedAlert logo on social media. Caption it something along the lines of, “Support our local creative industries #CapNYRedAlert”.
Share stories of your favorite creative businesses and tag them with #CapNYRedAlert
Tag us in your photos, FB: @upstatecreative, IG: @upstatecreative, Twitter: @upnycreative. we would love to share all of the photos and compile them.
Tag your favorite local creative businesses and organizations to let them know they have your support!