LITTLE ITALY NEWS APRIL 2008 EDITION

www.troylittleitaly.org

troylittleitaly@gmail.com

Free Self Defense Class

April 23, 2008
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Russell Sage Athletic
Facility
Canal Avenue, Troy

April 26, 2008

Help make our
neighborhood shine
by participating in the
Earth Day Cleanup.
We will have a general meeting at the
Market Place by the bocce courts at 9:00.
Please bring your rakes, gloves, brooms
and energy. The city is providing garbage
bags for our area and opening the Alamo
that day.
We also have a group of 20, energetic
and able volunteers from the D.E.F.Y
program that are willing to help us out. If
you have a larger project and need some
assistance, please email Heather at
sctroywatch@gmail.com and we can set
up a team to assist you. We are also looking for volunteers who may have trucks to
bring bigger loads to the Alamo. If you
are willing to help out, please send an
email. If you just want to spend time
cleaning up your immediate yard, alley or
park that is great too. Lets make our
neighborhood sparkle!

Change of Plans
The Marketfest and Car Show has been
cancelled due to scheduling problems.

April Meeting
Neighborhood Watch 6pm
Troy Little Italy 7pm

Learn the basics of how to protect yourself in the event of an attack. Class will
be taught by Officer Tony Strauss. Tony
has experienced in training and combat
and in addition to his duties as a police
officer, he will be training the Jordanian
military this Spring.
To register for this event, please call
(518) 632-1082 and leave your name and
phone number or email sctroywatch@gmail.com. Please register soon
as class size is limited. Must be over 18
years old to attend.
Thank you to Russell Sage for donating
the use of their facility for this event.
Sponsored by the South Central Troy
Neighborhood Watch

Flag Day Parade

Flea Market
& Craft Show
June 8 10am to 5 pm
VENDORS WANTED
Looking for Food, Crafts, Artists,
Antiques, Collectables, Etc.
The cost will be $25 a space
Bring your own tables & chairs
Tent available or bring your own
For more information contact:
Marion Field at 266-1406 or
mvf1406@aol.com
troylittleitaly@gmail.com

Look whos coming to Town

The Valley Cats will be at our Flag Day Festivities
on June 8th starting at 10 am in the Troy Public
Market, located at Hill Street between Washington and
Liberty along with food vendors and a flea market
and craft show.

Look what theyre Bringing

Come Early
*Shop a Little*
*Play a Lot*
And
Enjoy the Parade

South Central
Little Italy News
The Record, March 23, 2008, p42. From
Troy to Rome and Frosolone? by Frank
Visco. This is the first in a series of articles about a trip to Frosolone, Italy, birthplace of the LaPosta Family, one of the
original twenty three immigrant families
to settle in the small Italian community in
Troy that Father Giovanni Santoro organized in establishing St. Anthony of Padua
Shrine Church in 1892.
The Record, Troy Treasures, March 23,
2008, p 11. Theyre keeping us healthy by
Mike Esposito. The long tradition of fruit
and vegetable peddlers and neighborhood
produce stores in and around the South
Central/Little Italy neighborhood is remembered.
Discover TROY, February 2008 issue,
pp7-8. Neighborhoods by Kathryn Caggianelli. Neighborhoods working together
to improve the quality of life is the focus
for the year 2008. Several neighborhood
leaders are interviewed including Lynn
Kopka who tells us that residents who
belong to the Washington Park Association are this year focusing on increasing
home ownership and de-densification
of units and Rocco DeFazio who mentions that members of Troys Little Italy
are excited about the prospect of working closely with bordering neighborhoods
on such things as neighborhood watch,
monthly meetings, activities and beautification.
The Record, Daily Historian, March 22,
2008, p16. 1944 photo of Peter, Frank and
Helen Stellato and Maria Campana. Photo
submitted by Eleanor Szalasny.

History of Troys Little Italy

I have been informed by Arcadia Publishing, the leading trade publisher of local
and regional history books in the United
States, that they will be publishing our
story, the story of Troys Little Italy, in
text and photographs in a book format.
The deadline for text and images is January, 2009.
While I will be listed as the author of the
book, the work is a collaboration among
supporters of Troys Little Italy including
Marion Field who has been collecting and
preserving neighborhood photographs,
Frank Visco of the LaPosta-Visco (Visk)
family, one of the original twenty three
families in the Italian community at the
time St. Anthony of Padua Church was
formed in 1892 and Rocco DeFazio who
organized the Friends of Little Italy several years ago and initiated the movement
to revitalize our historic ethnic neighborhood. My articles from The Troy Record
column Troy Treasures and our monthly
Little Italy Newsletter will provide some
of the text required for the publication.
We are inviting and encouraging past and
present residents of Little Italy and the
community at large to submit photographs of life in Little Italy. This will

by Mike Esposito

be a major endeavor but we look forward

to the opportunity presented to document
our story. Dan Lennon, Heather Hamlin
and Jean Krueger have also volunteered
to assist us with the project. As specific
tasks are identified we will ask for additional assistance.
We will also be contacting local organizations and institutions that have had a
significant role in the history of our
neighborhood or in compiling information
on our history. Use of old photos and
images, copies of program or event notices, documents, and other print items
available will be important in presenting a
history of our neighborhood. Please continue to search for those great old mementos which recapture the special times with
family and friends growing up (and old)
in Little Italy.
Contact us through our email address
troylittleitaly@gmail.org or call Marion
Field at 266-1406. We will also be available at upcoming events sponsored by
Troy Little Italy. We have the ability to
scan photos and images and will return
items loaned to us.

Coming Soon
Troy
Neighborhood
Market

Our Contributions : The

Italians in America
This acclaimed PBS special which details
and examines contributions ItalianAmericans have made to America is
available for sale. Many Italian-American
organizations are calling it the definitive
film about the history of ItalianAmericans. The film (DVD format)
which runs for 105 minutes can be purchased online at www.NSEfilms.com for
$14.95. Shipping and handling costs are
$5.95. You may also order from NSE
Films, 3300 Veterans Highway, Suite
103E, Bohemia, NY 11716 or by phone
(631) 468-3080.

Troy Neighborhood Market will begin on Wed., May 14, 2008 through Columbus
Day week, 2008, 3 6PM at the Little Italy Marketplace, Hill St. between Washington and Liberty Streets in Troy, NY. Vendors of produce, live plants, baked goods,
services and crafts are encouraged to apply to troyneighborhoodmkt@gmail.com , or
call Jean Krueger, 518 272 4972, for application information. The market will be a
farmers market, rain or shine, with low vendor fees. All persons may apply. Residents of the Troy neighborhoods are especially encouraged to vend.

Position yourself ahead of the crowd with direct access to thousands of potential consumers

A Freihofers Weekend Festival opportunity for Troy, NY merchants

CapitalCare Health & Fitness Expo, The 30th Freihofers Run for Women, Kids
Run, Community Walk & The USA Open and Junior 10 km Race Walk Championships!

WE WANT YOU!!!
Music and fun are what gives The Great Race Weekend and The CapitalCare Health & Fitness Expo event its sole! This is so much more than a
race..it is a block party like none other! A variety of musical bands scheduled
to perform live will keep your feet moving long after the race is over! Enjoy
reggae, rock, jazz, countrywhatever your musical tastes are youre sure to
find it here and discover some new ones too!
Delicious, healthy food will keep your taste buds on track. Learn all
about good nutrition and how to prepare these tasty treats from top chefs in
our area. Looking for ways to stave off Father Time? There will be the latest
in health and beauty procedures and wellness techniques displayed and discussed. Extreme sport participants and athletes of all walks will enjoy Sports
Square and Virtual Land. Learn once and for all what a healthy cholesterol
level is. Are you still confused about what supplements and vitamins you should
be taking? This is the area for clarity as it relates to all things for healing and
continued good health.
As far as spirit goescount on enjoying expressions of cheer, joy and
agility like nothing you have ever experienced as you discover who The Capital
Regions Biggest Fans are with our Show us your Sole Spirit Capital Regions
Biggest Fan Contest. Prizes and notoriety will be awarded in five different
categories depending on age and performance style.
Thousands of participants and fans were on hand in 2007 and in 2008,
the bar is set higher.. Intrigued? Thought you might beand we hope we
see you there, At the Empire State Plaza May 30th through May 31st 2008.

Sponsorship Opportunity for Troy, NY Merchants*

These sponsorship opportunities are able to be customized to meet your companys specific marketing goals
and objectives..

Some stats on the Running Market

33.7 million Americans are runners
Median age: 44 years old College Grads: 74%
Married: 74.4%
Number of people in household: 3
Individuals average gross income: $74.1K
Household average gross income: $139K
Household net worth: $943K

Here is how you can have representation at the premier sports/ festival of 2008..
On-site booth Display: 1 8 x 10 Exhibitor Booth
Rental Fee Includes: Signage, Pipe & Drape and 1 table and 2 chairs
Additional booth space is available $425.

$495- Investment

______

Inclusion of your promotional items/samples in up to 10,000 goodie bags (you must provide physical
items)
$400- Investment
______
Should you provide only a coupon incentive offer back to your store

$540- Investment

______

Provide a silent auction item valued at no less than $100- retail

Sponsor identification in the event tabloid. Distribution throughout the Capital Region prior to the event,
event program, press release/coverage and on-site signage at the two-day event!
Silent auction Item Investment
______
Silent auction participation requires either booth or goodie bag investment
All proceeds are used to further Athletic programs within the Adirondack Association of USA Track & Field
(a 501c3). All donations are tax deductible.

Authorized Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ___________________

Please return this contract with payment and Insurance Certificate, should you request a booth, to: CapitalCare
Health & Fitness Expo / care of Tracy Christopher / P.O. Box 497 / Clifton Park, NY 12065 or Fax to 518-6771142 Questions? Call 518-337-7351 or e-mail eventmgroup@yahoo.comMake checks payable to: Board of Athletics, Adirondack Association, Inc.

*This discount offer is extended to Troy, NY Merchants only

A vendor or coupon Investment is necessary to participate in the Silent Auction

ICC News

Little Italy Real Estate

Approximately 30 wines were entered in

the annual Homemade Wine Enthusiasts
Tasting Competition, held March 1 2008.
After a formal judging by Michael
LoPorto and Times Union columnist Fred
LeBrun, approximately 120 people in
attendance sampled and voted for their
favorites.
Judges awards: Best in show, Pete Hanleys 2007 zinfandel
Red Wines: 1st place Pete Hanley,
2nd place Bob Caprara a tie for 3rd place
Leo Morizio and Bob Caprara.
White Wines: 1st place Pete Hanley,
2nd place Renato Guida,
3rd place Jeff Anderson
Publics awards: Red wines: 1st place
Angelo Gaudio, 2nd place Kieran
Weidner. 3rd place Kieran Weidner.
White Wine: 1st place Angelo Gaudio.
2nd place Vince Mamone. 3rd place
Renato Guida.
Congratulations to all the winners!!!

1 FAMILY
224 Hill Street
$129,900 Luanne
286-1000
29 Jefferson St. $68,500 Joe
286-2903
$85,000 Harvey
301 4th Street
466-1303
2 FAMILY
50 Ida Street
$24,900 Leon
727-7493
$125,000 Virginia
322 4th Street
640-4029
121 Adam St.
$139,900 Leon
717-7493
MULTI UNITS
177 4th Street
$239,900 Barbara
424-5291
165 4th Street
$149,900 Eric
339-9137
330 Second St. $149,900 Jonathon
279-190
Looking to Rent
A community Garden Vista Volunteer is
looking for an affordable apartment in our
area somewhere in the $400-500/month
range. Call Sharon at 518-274-8685

Memorial Mass
The Italian Community Center will hold
their annual Memorial Mass on April 6,
2008 to honor the deceased members of
their organization, especially those who
died this past year.
Coming in September
Watch for the dates of the wonderful annual Italian Community Center Italian
Festa .

Landlord Training
Tuesday, April 29, 5:309:30 PM
Great Information about tenant screening,
landlord/tenant responsibilities, codes,
Section 8 and partners.
Call TRIP HomeOwnership Center at
690-0020 to register

Need Hardware?
We were reminded by Jim DeSeve that
we have a great family-owned hardwood
store at 96 Congress Street, Trojan Hardware (corner of fourth). George (the
owner) has sold the building and has no
plans of closing the store. Jim goes there
all the time to get pretty much whatever
he needs hardware, paint, plumbing supplies, keys, etc. The store is open Monday
thru Friday 8am to 5pm. There is plenty
of parking available in the store parking
lot located on fourth street just south of
the store. Lets Shop Locally.

Patriot Flight 2008

The first FREE flight of 20 World War ll
veterans will be held on April 26, 2008 to
visit the World War ll Memorial and
other memorials in Washington, D.C..
Rolling Thunder NY 5 will be accompanying them from the Brunswick WalMart to the airport. The next flight will be
held on May 27. and more will be
planned as donations are received. Over
$11,000 have been raised and more is
needed The idea of a free flight as a thank
you to our veterans of World War ll , was
started by William Peak, and his Patriot
Flight 2008 committee. For more information on the Patriot Flight
http://www.patriotflight2008.com/

Attention Landlords
Looking for a Good Tenant
Want to remove the guesswork? Check
out this new service to assist you. Troy
Rehabilitation and Improvement Program,
Inc., (TRIP) offers a Tenant Screening
Service for landlords in Troy. The Tenant Screening Program will thoroughly
research a potential tenant's rental history,
credit and criminal background. The information collected from credit reports,
criminal records and prior landlords will
provide the prospective landlord with
information that should lead to a more
informed decision when selecting the best
tenant for his or her apartment. The program is funded in part by a grant from the
Troy Weed and Seed Program. As a result the service will be provided free of
charge to landlords whose apartments are
located in the Westside Waterfront Weed
and Seed target area. For all other landlords the cost of the service will be
$25.00 per named applicant. For more
information please contact Theresa Newton, Director of Rental Operations, at
TRIP at 272-8289.

Kismet Gallery
Hours of operation: Monday-Friday 12-6,
Saturday10-6.
4/25 TNO-solo artist Katie Crime Spree,
5/30 TNO solo artist Marcus Anderson,
5-9 food and cash bar for both events.

T-NAC (Troy Neighborhood

Action Council)
Meeting April 23, 5:30pm at Hope 7
Community Center, 596 Pawling Avenue.
Representatives from all neighborhood
groups, crime watches and/or block clubs
are welcome. People interested in forming
or joining a group are urged to attend.

Flavour Caf Celebrates 3

Year Anniversary. April 12
Door Prizes, Win Free Coffee for 1 yr.,
Gift Certificates, Food Coupons! * Free
Physic readings with Kelly Ballard 1 to 3
The Bookdrop Bees at noon,
The Jazz Voyagers at 2pm
NYC Instrumental Jazz Recording
Artist Anton Sword from 710pm
$3 Booty Shakes$3 off Paninis
Sandwiches/Salads from 2 7pm
Buy 3 Bags of Coffee for the Price of
2! Local Artwork on Display.

See a Mess!! Clean it up!!

With a phone call to DPW
270-4579

Troy Music Hall Schedule

April 5, 8pm Albany Pro Musica,
Great Choral Tradition
April 6, 7pm
David Grisman & John Sebastian
April 8, 12pm Music@Noon
Free Concert. Brian Patneaude Quartet
Modern Jazz
April 9, 8pm Troy Chromatic Concert
EUROPA GALANTE
Fabio Biondi, conductor & violin soloist
FREE !!!!! Pre-concert talk with Fabio
Biondi, 7pm at the
Rensselaer County Historical Society.
For a complete program
and artist information http://
www.troychromaticconcerts.org/
April 12, 8pm
April 17, 8pm

Leo Lottke
Ricky Skaggs &
Bruce Homsby
April 19, 7pm Kevin Locke
Native Dance Ensemble
April 26, 1 & 6pm RPI Spring Concert
(Free Event)
April 27, 3pm Saratoga Springs

of April in the lobby of Ricketts Hall

(second door in from the corner of Congress and Second Streets) and in the Upton Center on First Street, Special collections times will also be held in the Buchanan Pavilion at the center of the campus on Wed. & Thurs., April 2nd ,
3rd ,9th and 10th from 11am-1pm. There
will also be a special collection at the Pet
Supplies Plus store on Western Avenue in
Albany during the adoption clinic on
April 19th from 10-2. Or if you find yourself in the heart of Troys Pottery District,
simply slip your old cell phones through
the slot at the MacNeil
Residence at 176 Fourth Street throughout the month of April.
Make some room in those junk drawers,
support a humane organization and safeguard the environment all in one action!
If you need more information contact
Cheryl at 270-0978

Support Our Local Bingos

CYO Tuesday evening @ Bingo Green,
49 4th Street in the Atrium 7 pm
ST. ANTHONYS Sunday Evening @
Bingo Green, 49 4th Street in the Atrium
7 pm.
ITALIAN COMMUNITY CENTER
Monday evening at 7 pm
Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm

Donations Needed

Phone raiser for the pups

Every year millions of cell phones are
placed in landfills. One cell phone can
contain up to eight toxins and pollute up
to 132,000 liters in water! A phoneraiser is
an environmentally responsible way to
raise funds by recycling used cell phones.
The Student Occupational Therapy Association at the Sage Colleges is joining
forces with the Help Orphan Puppies to
collect and recycle retired cell phones
throughout the month of April. Help Orphan Puppies is a rescue group dedicated
to the health and welfare of all puppies.
The proceeds from this cell phone drive
will be used to support the activities of
the organization. Drop boxes will be
made available on the Troy Campus of
the Sage Colleges, throughout the month

We have been using the grant we received

from Weed & Seed to publish our newsletter for the past seven months.
Unfortunately, we have depleted the grant
and are back to solicit ting funds from our
members and the public. If you would
like to make a donation, send it to Troy
Little Italy c/o Marion Field, 2 Washington Place, Troy, N.Y. 12180

Special Thanks
To the following businesses who donated
monies before we received the grant and
allowed us to start this publication.
Mangiones, Rods Upholstery, Flavours,
Mikes Auto Body, Kennedys Garage,
Troy Pork Store, Allblues Sewing, Carmens,Patricellis, Capraras,Lusco Paper,DeFazios Store and Pizzeria, USA
Track and Field, Michelles Designs,
Spirits of Troy and Jessicas Dream.
To all who chip in at our monthly meetings and of course to Weed & Seed.

Worship and Advocacy In

Little Italy
St. Marys Catholic Church
Third & Washington Sts. Troy, NY 12180
Weekend Masses: Sat. 4pm. Sun. 10am
Weekday Masses: Tues., Thurs., Fri 9 am
Soup Kitchen: Wed & Thurs, 4-5, ongoing Volunteers needed.
St. Johns Episcopal Church
Corner of 1st and Liberty Street
Sunday services at 8 & 10am
The Basement Thrift Shop: Wed. & Sat.
9am Noon, on-going.
St. Anthony of Padua Shrine Church
28 State Street Troy NY 12180
Weekend Masses: Sat., 4:30 pm. Sun.
9am, 10 am (Spanish), 12 & 5:30 pm
Weekday Masses: Mon. Thurs. 7:15am
& 12 pm
St. Anns Maronite
184 Fourth Street
Mass: Saturday 4 pm (except 1st sat. of
month Sunday 11 p.m.
Beth Tephtilah Synagogue
82 River Street
Saturday 10am Service
Congregation Berith Shalom
167 Third Street
Friday Service 7:30 p.m.
United Ordained Church of Christ
Sunday: 10am Sunday School
11 a.m. Worship
Wednesday: 6:30pm Bible Class
Redemption Church
Liberty & First Street, meets in St. Johns
Episcopal Gym. Sunday School 10:30 am
Worship 12:30 pm
Wednesday and Friday worship 7 pm.

Spaghetti Supper
There will be a spaghetti dinner at Christ
Church United Methodist (corner
of State and 5th) in Troy on Saturday,
April 5 from 5-7 pm. Homemade sauce
and meatballs, salad and garlic bread and
homemade desserts. $8 for adults
and $4 for children. Sauce and meatballs
for sale as well. Group orders
for 6 or more packaged family style can
be ordered by calling 272-8392 by
Friday and picking up between 4 and 4:30
on Saturday. This dinner is a
benefit for Bethany Center, Joseph's
House, Troy Area United Ministries,
Unity House and the YWCA.

HAVE FAITH SPRING IS ON THE WAY