Helderberg Neighborhood Association

Albany NY Library will be closed for Labor Day weekend, but check out all the amazing programming that they will be offering in September and October. https://bit.ly/3Z2938M

New art program for adults at the Bach Branch! Join us each month and paint with others. Canvas and paints will be provided and we’ll have a still life for inspiration at each session.
To sign up: https://albany.librarycalendar.com/event/community-art-25829

Hey Helderberg neighbors! Here’s a chance to nominate your favorite restaurants in our community! Just a few to consider close to home: Mr. Bumbles Cafe Fountain Restaurant Albany Ale & Oyster Sake Cafe and Restaurant 605. Click the link below to start nominating!

Support Local Business Official 2024 Community Voting Awards Platform for Albany, NY. Where the community votes for their favorites every year.

The Helderberg Neighborhood Association sends its sincere condolences to the family, friends and neighbors of an Albany icon and social justice warrior, Dr. Alice Green.

Tonight at 7:30 pm starting at the Center for Law and Justice (220 Green Street) there will be a candlelight vigil in honor of Dr. Green. See below for complete details.

September is around the corner and so is Opalka GalleryPop-Up Beer Garden Series. For dates and information see. https://opalka.sage.edu/programs-events/beergarden/

A great place to give away those items you might not need anymore and take something new back with you!

Join us this Saturday, August 24th, from 12 PM to 4 PM for our "Drop it Swap it" event at St. Sophia's Greek Orthodox Church

Date: Saturday, August 24th, 2024
Time: 12 PM - 4 PM
Location: St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 440 Whitehall Road, Albany NY 12208

This is your chance to clear out your gently used items and find some new treasures.

Drop It - Swap It is a free community event where the public is invited to bring clean, reusable, portable items such as clothing, housewares, games, books, & toys that you no longer need, and take home something new to you, for free!
For more details, check out our website: https://albanynyrecycles.com/drop-it-swap-it/

We’re here at Sage! It’s a beautiful evening - Wish starts in 20 minutes!

Restaurant 605 Will be opening another location at 560 Madison Avenue! Coming soon! See ⬇️. Best wishes and we know it will be a success!

Albany Police Department is ready to serve…. Join us at New Scotland Elementary School for APD Pop-up BBQ. We have access to the playground so it’s great for the kids to run around and play!

Join us and Albany Police Department for a community BBQ at New Scotland Elementary School this Wednesday.

One of the Helderberg Neighboorhood’s favorite restaurants is expanding! We can’t wait to see (and eat!) Albany Ale & Oyster

If your home valuation appeal was denied by the Board of Review, and would like to further pursue an appeal, you must file a SCAR application, which are due July 31. Here is the link to the form.https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/LITIGANTS/scar/PetitionOS-NYC2018-2.pdf

Advisory: Please Be Advised

Beginning at 2:00 p.m. Global Partners on Erie Blvd will be emptying a rail car filled with propane. The method is which this is achieved is by using a mechanical device to ignite the propane producing a very large flame. This process will take approximately 30 hours and the flame will be seen by commuters on I787, I90 and all residents in that surrounding area.

Lots of new trees in the Helderberg. Give our trees a nice drink if you can! 🌳 💦

Attention Albany Residents:

Despite the forecast, we have not seen significant rainfall in Albany in over a week.

This extreme heat and lack of precipitation can be stressful for people, but it is especially stressful for new and recently planted trees.

If there is a tree that was recently planted near your home, please consider watering it if you can.

The best time is in the evening, so that the tree has the whole night to absorb all the water it can before it evaporates in the sun/heat of the day.

One thorough soaking with 10-20 gallons of water once or twice a week is better than light watering every day. Over-watering is rarely a problem in the summer.

What a great idea!

Housing Empowerment Series presented by the City of Albany Department of Neighborhood Services. Looks like they will have lots of great information for both landlords and tenants.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather oulook starting tonight:

Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and
diminish this evening. Some storms could contain gusty winds and
produce isolated wind damage. In addition, storms will be capable of
producing heavy downpours, which may results in ponding of water in
low lying and urban areas.

Important Contacts During Severe Weather:
• In an emergency, call 911.
• To report power outages and downed power lines, and determine area repair schedules, call National Grid at 800-642-4272.
• To report downed trees, call the City of Albany Department of General Services at 518-427-7480.
• For real-time weather information, visit the National Weather Service at https://www.weather.gov/aly/
• To report flooding or sewer backups, call the Albany Water Department Dispatch at 518-434-5322.

Unfortunately, due to the risk of severe weather, tonight's Movie Under the Stars at Sage College is cancelled. Next week, weather permitting, we'll be in Lincoln Park to watch TMNT: Mutant Mayhem.

Update: Toby has been found!

Please keep an eye out for Toby! Toby went missing from his home on 59 Glendale Avenue. Toby is an older cat (16) and his owner is worried about his health in this heat. Please message this page if you see Toby!

Due to unforeseen circumstances of several of our board members, we have made the tough decision to cancel our membership meeting this coming Thursday June 20th. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause you.

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan Announces Resources to Stay Cool During Forecasted High Heat Indexes

ALBANY, NY – Due to forecasted high heat indexes, Mayor Kathy Sheehan is urging residents to take precautions to avoid the heat and to be vigilant for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Spray Pads will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Albany Public Libraries will be open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for residents’ use. Please note, the libraries will be closed on Wednesday (6/19) for Juneteenth.

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, “It is crucial during this week you take steps to keep you and your loved ones out of the heat. There are various ways to keep cool during warm weather, including accessing the various spray pads and public libraries throughout the city. Please review and recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and if someone you know is experiencing symptoms contact 911.”

Spray Pads are located at the following Albany parks:

Black Lives Matter Park
Colonie St. Park
Hackett Park
Lincoln Park
North Swan St. Park
Rosemont Park
Sheridan Park
Westland Hills Park


The spray pads at Krank Park and Swinburne Park are currently closed for repairs. For more information on spray pad locations, please visit https://www.albanyny.gov/877/Aquatics

Should you or someone you know feel overcome by the heat, please move to a cool and shaded location, and dial 911.

Attached are graphics from the National Weather Service with recommended ways to stay safe when temperatures and humidity rise. During extended periods of warm weather, it is important to remain cool and hydrated, and be able to recognize the signs of heat-related illnesses.

For more information, please visit https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-illness

Albany Public Library locations and hours: https://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/locations/

Albany Import Store Has Been Bringing Us The Best Italian Flavors For Almost 40 Years Ragonese Imports has been a part of Albany's New Scotland neighborhood since 1986 and they're still going strong.

SAM HAS BEEN FOUND!

A neighhor’s cat (named Sam) has snuck out for an adventure. She's friendly. Blue collar with a bell. Please share with other neighbors. Thank you!

If you had a chance to purge your closets over the Memorial Weekend, consider participating in our annual Helderberg Neighborhood Association community yard sale. We place an ad in the TU and put up signage and you bring out your items for sale. For more information and register today at https://forms.gle/yB5Z4MAF94pFbYXM7

As construction of 563 New Scotland Avenue continues, we are even closer to the opening of what will be a tremendous asset in the New Scotland, Helderberg, Pine Hills, and Buckingham Neighborhoods.

News broke today that Jankow Companies has signed leases with six commercial tenants:

✉️ the United States Postal Service (don't call it a comeback!)
💐 Frank Gallo Florist (expanding from Schenectady into Albany!)
✂️ Bombshell Hair and Beauty Studio (their second Albany location!)
🥪 PrimoHoagies
🍻 Bloom Boutique Bar & Eatery (brought to you by the folks from City Line Bar and Grill)
☕️ Starbucks

This is a prime example of what my administration has worked hard to support: more housing, more amenities, and more commercial space within walking distance to some of our region's largest employers.

We will continue doing everything we can - despite some elected officials' efforts to the contrary - to encourage the construction of more housing and mixed-use space in every neighborhood.

Read more from the Albany Business Review: https://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2024/05/23/jankow-retail-tenants-new-scotland-restaurant.html

Helderberg Neighborhood Association, New Scotland-Woodlawn Neighborhood Association, Buckingham Lake Neighborhood Association, Buckingham Pond Conservancy, Pine Hills Neighborhood Association

See comments for screenshot of confirmed businesses in new development across from St. Peter’s on New Scotland Ave.!

New restaurant among 6 signed retail tenants for Albany development >> bit.ly/450lpiS

Great news for our community! Albany Ale & OysterThank you for investing on our neighborhood!

Very excited to announce that we have purchased the building at 289 New Scotland Ave! To grow in a community that we love so much is a dream come true!
AA&O will be moving to this location in the new year, essentially tripling our space. With a larger kitchen, dining area, bar, wood fired oven and addition of a raw bar, the possibilities are just endless!
We are keeping our space at 281 New Scotland for a new concept.
None of this could have happened with out the commitment of our amazing team and the unconditional support of all of you.
We can’t wait to share more details as they come.
We love you Albany!

Hello Neighbor,

We, the residents of the Helderberg, a vibrant neighborhood within the city of Albany, NY, stand united in our unwavering condemnation of hate in all its forms.

Hate has no place in our neighborhood. It breeds fear, division, and violence, and it undermines the very fabric of our community. We believe in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other difference.

We are committed to a neighborhood where:

Everyone feels safe and welcome.
Diversity is celebrated and respected.
Differences are a source of strength, not division.
Compassion and empathy guide our interactions with one another.

Let us stand united against hate.

The Helderberg Neighborhood Association

To everyone celebrating...wishing you a light filled holiday, full of peace and joy!

🚨 UPDATE!! The dog’s owner has been found! Thank you all for sharing and thank you Kate for keeping him safe!!

A neighbor found this dog running around Hackett. Please contact Kate at 518-708-3494 if this adorable pooch is yours. Please share.