Bill & Jessica's Tiki Freakout!

Click on Rich to see photos.
Believe me, they were worth waiting for!

SPLASHDOWN a success!

The Albany AquaDuck

The event was a sellout! 42 people enjoyed a garden reception at Marion & Ralph's, then boarded the Albany Aqua Duck for a chartered tour of the city and a SPLASHDOWN in the Hudson River. A great time was had by all, and we raised $1,555 for Committee 150! Special thanks to Cap'n Chris and Tour Guide Paul, and of course, to our hosts, who just may have the most beautiful garden in the area.

Calling All Kids!

Family Festival Helps to Save St. Joe’s

Committee 150 Party
for Children and Parents on September 10

Albany, NY (August 24, 2006) – A neighborhood family festival is scheduled for September 10 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Hudson-Jay Turnaround Park in Albany. The festival is part of Committee 150’s efforts to raise funds to restore St. Joseph’s Church. It is the only Committee 150 fundraiser with a specific focus on children and families.

“Why should the adults have all the fun?” says Courtney Burke, one of the organizers of the event. “We are saving this historic landmark not just for us, but for our children and the other generations to come. So creating a party with a kids-focus only makes sense. And it’s a great way to meet neighbors who have kids.”

The festival will feature Capital District magician Domino the Great, who has donated his talent for making kids smile for the event. In addition, there will be face painting, games and a barbeque. It’s organized by Center Square neighbors Chris and Courtney Burke, and Matt & Shannon Cherry.

Committee 150 is a citizens’ campaign organized to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the former St. Joseph’s Church, and to raise $150,000 to continue stabilization work on the once-endangered building. Through parties and donations, Committee 150 has raised more than $40,000. A challenge grant from prominent investment counselor Candace King Weir, owner of C.L. King & Associates Inc., which matches each $2 raised with $1 additional, brings the total to date to over $61,000, more than one-third of their goal. The campaign began in May and is slated to end in the fall.

"Historic landmarks like St. Joe's give the community more than just the functions of a building and the beauty of their architecture: they contribute to the very character of the city, providing a sense of place and a connection with history that once lost can never be regained,” says Matt Cherry. “When a building gives so much to the community, the least the community can do is to give a little in return.”

The suggested donation for the event is $10 for adults.

For more information, contact Shannon Cherry at 248-6592 or shannonc@nycap.rr.com.

###

Contact:

Shannon Cherry
518.248.6592
shannon@beheardsolutions.com

Picnic, Music and Raffle Sales at St. Joe's on Sunday

Open House Slated for Sunday, August 13 at historic St. Joseph’s Church

ALBANY, 8/10/2006 – On Sunday, August 13, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Historic Albany Foundation will host an Open House at the former St. Joseph’s Church. The public is invited to see the interior stabilization project, view an exhibit about the history of the building and parish, and hear about plans for the future.

St. Joseph’s is located at Ten Broeck and Second Streets, one block from the Palace Theatre. There is no fee to attend the open house.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic in St. Joseph’s park. Albany resident, music educator and Delmar Community Orchestra Conductor Joseph D. Gumpper will perform inside and outside St. Joseph’s.

“We hope that the sound of Joe’s violin will help people see beyond the current condition of St. Joseph’s, remember better days, and imagine the possibilities for the future,” said Colleen Ryan, co-founder of Committee 150. Ryan, a former President of Historic Albany Foundation’s board of directors, co-founded Committee 150 with Elizabeth Griffin, former Executive Director of the Foundation. The citizens’ campaign was organized to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the former St. Joseph’s Church, and to raise $150,000 to continue stabilization work on the once-endangered building.

Through parties and donations, Committee 150 has raised more than $30,000. A challenge grant from prominent investment counselor Candace King Weir, owner of C.L. King & Associates Inc., which matches each $2 raised with $1 additional, brings the total to date to nearly $50,000 – one-third of their goal. The campaign began in May and is slated to end in the fall.

Tickets will also be available for upcoming Committee 150 fundraisers at the Open House, including the “SPLASHDOWN for St. Joseph’s,” a chartered trip on the Albany Aqua Duck on the evening of Thursday, August 24. The party starts with wine and appetizers in a charming garden in Albany’s Hudson/Park neighborhood, which was featured the Hidden City Garden Tour. Participants will board the Albany Aqua Duck at 6:15 p.m. for a chartered tour of the City of Albany, culminating with a SPLASHDOWN in the Hudson River.

“It’s not too late to join Committee 150,” said Ryan. “Each time someone has a party to raise funds for St. Joseph’s Church, they boost the visibility and viability of a magnificent building, and the historic Ten Broeck Triangle neighborhood that surrounds it.”

For information about the stabilization project at St. Joseph’s, contact Erin Tobin Bearden at Historic Albany Foundation at http://www.historic-albany.org/ or 518-465-0876 x 12. To learn more about Committee 150, or to sign up to plan and host a party, visit committee150.blogspot.com or leave voice mail at 518-462-1900.

###

SPLASHDOWN for St. Joseph's!

... Aboard the Albany Aqua Duck!



WHAT: Committee 150 will host a chartered Aqua Duck tour of Albany

WHEN: Thursday, August 24, 2006
Wine & Cheese Garden Party at 5:00 p.m.
Aqua Duck Tour at 6:15 p.m.

WHERE: Robinson Square Parking Lot
(Hamilton Street at Swan Street)

COST: Tickets are available for $50, $36 is a tax-de“duck”tible donation. Call 518-462-1900 or email committee150@verizon.net to reserve a ticket. Committee 150 will get back to you to confirm availability and payment details.

Proceeds from the Splashdown for St. Joe’s will benefit Committee 150, a citizens’ campaign to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the former St. Joseph’s Church, and to raise $150,000 to continue stabilization work on the once-endangered building.

The party starts at 5:00 p.m. with wine and appetizers in Marion & Ralph's charming garden in Albany’s Hudson/Park neighborhood, which was featured this year on the Hidden City Garden Tour. Participants will board the Albany Aqua Duck at 6:15 p.m. for a chartered tour of the City of Albany, culminating with a SPLASHDOWN in the Hudson River.

The Aqua Duck will pick up and return the group to Robinson Square (Hamilton at Swan Street) where ample parking is available.

For information about the stabilization project at St. Joseph’s, contact Erin Tobin Bearden at Historic Albany Foundation at http://www.historic-albany.org/ or 518-465-0876 x 12. To learn more about Committee 150, or to sign up to plan and host a party, visit committee150.blogspot.com or leave voice mail at 518-462-1900.

Be Our Guest!

Committee 150 Night at the Park Playhouse

• WHAT: Committee 150 will host a fundraising reception prior to the Sunday performance of Beauty and the Beast
  
• WHEN: Sunday, August 6, 2006
  Wine & Cheese Reception at 6:30 p.m.
  Performance begins at 8:00 p.m.
  
• WHERE: Washington Park, Albany
  (The Lakehouse, entrance at Madison and New Scotland Avenues)
  
• COST: Suggested donation is $20 per person for the reception, the performance is free.
  
  Proceeds from “Be our guest! Be our guest!” will benefit Committee 150, a citizens’ campaign to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the former St. Joseph’s Church, and to raise $150,000 to continue stabilization work on the once-endangered building.
  
  The party starts at 6:30 p.m. with wine and appetizers under the tent at stage right, hosted by The Morgan State House, an urban inn on Washington Park. Donations will be accepted for Committee 150. Please call the State House at 518-427-6063 to add your name to the guest list.
  
  For information about the stabilization project at St. Joseph’s, contact Erin Tobin Bearden at Historic Albany Foundation at http://www.historic-albany.org/ or 518-465-0876 x 12. To learn more about Committee 150, or to sign up to plan and host a party, visit committee150.blogspot.com or leave voice mail at 518-462-1900.

A BIG Weekend for Committee 150!

Kevin Cole at the Steinway

On July 28,29 and 30, Committee 150 raised more than $14,000 in three separate events for the stabilization of the former St. Joseph's Church. All told, Committee 150 has brought in nearly $30,000 … and we still have lots of parties to go!

Enjoy the photos from the "Summertime with Gershwin" party at Albany City Hall. Special thanks to the wonderful Kevin Cole, who performed so beautifully that evening. Thanks also to our hosts, the vendors who donated their products and services, and to the volunteers who made it all possible!

It's not too late to join Committee 150 and have your own party to raise money, raise awareness, and imagine the possibilities! Please call 462-1900 and leave voice mail requesting more information, or send an email to committee150@verizon.net !