Funday: Building, Inspiration & Pop Up Grill

I suppose today could have been a Photo Friday. We haven’t done one of those in a while. But dammit, there are a few things that people have asked me to share with you all. At least two of them are press releases. Another one is a link to the newest edition of an online food magazine in which I have a story. There is also an email.

So, without further ado, unto the press releases in all their unedited glory.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RE: UNIQUE “HABITATCENTRIC” PLANNED FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY’S WOMEN BUILD-A-BASH EVENT

SCHENECTADY, NY —- When was your last Hammerschlagen contest? Does the thought of responding to an auctioneers call to hoist a well-known local building contractor and a female GE engineer to the ceiling of a three story building make you curious? Patrons will sample these and other “Habitat-centric” activities at the “Women Build-A-Bash” from 5-8PM on Saturday, September 19 at the Schenectady Armory located at 125 Washington Avenue across from the Schenectady County Community College. The event will showcase the historic Armory landmark, recently purchased and refurbished by partners Jeff and Ray Legere of Legere Restorations, as it helps raise money for Habitat’s Women Build program, which brings females together to practice basic construction skills as they build homes for families currently living in sub-standard or inadequate housing. The event will celebrate and honor long time Habitat volunteer, Virginia Newton. Virginia joined the first Women Build project here in 2004 and has been a valued part of the construction team and building committee ever since.

The fundraiser will feature a variety of cuisine from local eateries set out in a street scape pattern with food court and casual seating (on furniture from Habitat’s ReStore which can be purchased that evening), a cash bar, live music by Goin’ Back, and a number of unique games and attractions that highlight Habitat’s mission. The previously mentioned Habitat Hammerschlagen contest involves nails, hammers and a tree trunk. The Raise the Roof competition pits Schenectady Armory co-owner Ray Legere against GE R&D’s Hope Matis, a member of the GE Women’s Network and frequent Women Build volunteer. Both challengers will be swinging from “boatswain’s” chairs as they strive, driven by patron auction responses, to where they can reach the Armory’s 50 foot high ceiling. A live auction to win a child’s playhouse built by Habitat volunteers and other fundraising activities are on tap during the evening.

Habitat for Humanity utilizes primarily volunteer labor to rehab and build new construction homes for working class families needing a hand up, not a hand out. Partnering with Habitat, families currently living in sub-standard or inadequate housing can apply to become first time homebuyers with the Habitat program. Applicants must show the ability to pay a mortgage, maintain an adequate credit rating and agree to put in 400 hours of sweat equity into their new home.

Campaign sponsors include Key Bank and Travelers Insurance. Event sponsors include Bayly’s Rentals, Jeff & Ursula Legere, Ray & Renee Legere, Town Square Media, Turner Construction, CDTA, Vantage Management, DeVoe Associates, Printz & Patternz, Trustco Bank, and TVI.

A wide variety of food and beverages will be provided by Angelo’s Tavolo ,Canvas, Corks & Forks, Casa Visco, Cuff’s Cakes, Ferrari’s Ristorante, Mike’s Hot Dogs, Morrette’s, Price Chopper, Mazzone Hospitality, Tesoros Café, Villa Italia, Union Café & Zen.

Tickets are $65 in advance; $75 at the door. They are available through Schenectady Habitat’s web site at http://www.schenectadyhabitat.org/ and clicking on events or by mailing a check to Karen McLane at 115 N. Broadway, Schenectady, NY 12305.

From an email…

We are excited about our 4th annual Harvest Evening Celebration – new venue this year at Revolution Hall in Troy – on October 8th! Come celebrate all that we have accomplished together while honoring Sister Marian Hamwey from Catholic Charities Roarke Center food pantry and The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region.

Heavy hors d’oerves, dessert, raffles, live music, silent auction, cash bar

Sample dishes using foods commonly stocked at our local food pantries from Chef’s at:
Athos
Brown’s Brewing
Honest Weight Food Co-op
The Point
Whole Foods
AND MORE!

Tickets and information are available online at http://www.thefoodpantries.org/harvest-evening-celebration.html

Hope you will join us!

Natasha Pernicka, MPA
Executive Director
The Food Pantries for the Capital District

JOIN US FOR OUR HARVEST EVENING CELEBRATION OCTOBER 8TH!
http://www.thefoodpantries.org/harvest-evening-celebration.html

Note: Yelp is a sponsor of this event, and I am a judge (representing the blog).

Food That Inspires

The September issue of the Farm Fresh to Market can be found here.

Chef Josh Coletto to be guest be grillmaster at 9/04 The Cheese Traveler Friday Night Cookout

Where: The Cheese Traveler, 540, Delaware Ave, Albany
When: Friday, August 28, 2015
Cost: Priced according to menu between $4-$14

The Cheese Traveler, a cheese and specialty food shop in the DelSo neighborhood of Albany, NY, will feature special guest chef Josh Coletto, chef of the popular Rock ‘N Roll Brunch series, for our Friday night cook out September 4, 2015.

Chef Josh’s menu will feature his signature farm-to-table fare with his global influences. He will use the locally sourced meats and specialty pantry items featured at The Cheese Traveler to create signature dishes for the popular cookout series. Craft beer, cider, wine, and specialty sodas are available to enjoy with meal. Appetizers include monger’s choice cheese plate and/or charcuterie plate, buffalo mozzarella caprese salad with 6 year aged basalmic and house-grown heirloom tomatoes and basil. Seating both outdoor and indoor is from 5-8 pm. Outdoor seating in the garden is limited and is on a first come, first served basis. Take out is available, and please allow 20 minutes before arrival.

“We are very excited to have Josh Coletto as this week’s guest chef. We have worked with Josh at several Chef Consortium events and when he was chef at Finnbar. We love his creative flair and commitment to sourcing local foods.” said proprietor Eric Paul.

Please check our website for Chef Josh Coletto’s menu at http://www.thecheesetraveler.com or sign up in store for our weekly email newsletter. Call 518.443.0440 for take out.

The Cheese Traveler sells a wide array of cheese, cured meats, specialty pantry items, and features organic beef and pork from Tilldale Farm, located in Hoosick, NY.

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