The return of Froggie's pre-conference Capital Region (NY) dinner: 3/14/2025

[froggie]

As some of you know (or have attended), I used to have a gathering in Saratoga Springs the Friday night of the meteorology conference I usually attend.  After a four year hiatus (due in part to the pandemic, then the conference being held in Burlington), I'd like to announce the return of this gathering.  The conference is in mid-March, so I'm looking at Friday, March 14th.

But there's a twist from before.  This year, the conference is in Albany, at the Hilton.  My preference would be for something within walking range, but I am open to other suggestions, especially since several of you are (hopefully) familiar with restaurants in that region.  My other preference would be for a gathering around 6-6:30 (so I can get back to the hotel for a late evening event), but I'm open to a later start if it means more people can show up for dinner.

To borrow a quote from my favorite John Wayne movie, "Let us open the discussion..."

[Rothman]

There's always The Hollow or McGeary's.

Too bad Lombardo's and the Pump Station closed.  Haven't been to the Pump Station's replacement yet -- Common Roots.

[vdeane]

6:30 would work for me.  I've enjoyed McGeary's both times I've been there.  I know the recent NY Bike Summit last fall had a post-conference social event at Loch & Quay, but I didn't attend that part so I can't speak to the experience there.

[baugh17]

Penciling this on my calendar given my current situation.  No preferences on venue.

[hotdogPi]

I'm interested and have a plan, but I haven't committed to it yet. I would be taking Peter Pan both ways ($24 + $4 fee from Boston to Albany, $10 + $4 fee from Albany to Worcester), and a one-person-only Airbnb for $50 + $7 fee. I would also be able to explore the city for a few hours.

[kalvado]

pencil me in
Rumors are there is still some life in downtown Albany, so maybe there is some food available there as well...

[Rothman]

I should say I'm planning on being there.  6:30 should be fine.

Just name the place.

[jeffandnicole]

I will keep this in mind and hopefully be able to commit come March.

[Dougtone]

I'll give it a go. See you there.

[hotdogPi]

I'm interested and have a plan, but I haven't committed to it yet. I would be taking Peter Pan both ways ($24 + $4 fee from Boston to Albany, $10 + $4 fee from Albany to Worcester), and a one-person-only Airbnb for $50 + $7 fee. I would also be able to explore the city for a few hours.

I'm going, exactly as described above. I'll be arriving in Albany at 12:20 PM (which gives me time to explore the city) on the 14th and leaving at 10:15 AM on the 15th, in case someone wants to meet me for longer than the dinner itself.

[hotdogPi]

Are there any updates on which restaurant will be chosen?

[froggie]

Let's go with McGeary's at 6:30.

[Rothman]

Let's go with McGeary's at 6:30.

See you there.

[vdeane]

Let's go with McGeary's at 6:30.

I'll be there.

[baugh17]

Let's go with McGeary's at 6:30.

Where would be the best place to park?  It looks like there are some smaller lots nearby but could I be given a hard time if I park in one of them?

[froggie]

Not sure.  I would defer to one of the Capital Region folks (including and in particular Rothman) for that answer...

[vdeane]

There's street parking (free after 5 or 6 IIRC), including a few spaces on Orange Street nearby if you're lucky, but I'll likely park in the nearby garage on Orange Street.

[Rothman]

I'd just park on the street, but there's also a lot behind the old Albany Pump Station/by 677 Prime that's public parking now (pay).

[vdeane]

FYI, there's a protest planned just across the road from where we'll be.

[Rothman]

FYI, there's a protest planned just across the road from where we'll be.

Wonder how well-attended it will be. Seems a little late (post-firings).

[Alps]

FYI, there's a protest planned just across the road from where we'll be.

Wonder how well-attended it will be. Seems a little late (post-firings).

Will be amused, but not surprised, if our dinner outgathers the protest (Bennington 2.0).

[Rothman]

FYI, there's a protest planned just across the road from where we'll be.

Wonder how well-attended it will be. Seems a little late (post-firings).

Will be amused, but not surprised, if our dinner outgathers the protest (Bennington 2.0).

"We're going to protest in front of an empty federal building on a Friday evening in an area of downtown Albany that'll have a few people milling around" is an interesting strategy.

Agree with cause, but not the ineffective method...

[vdeane]

FYI, there's a protest planned just across the road from where we'll be.

Wonder how well-attended it will be. Seems a little late (post-firings).

Will be amused, but not surprised, if our dinner outgathers the protest (Bennington 2.0).

My union just sent an email to everyone roughly local about it.  That said, it was kinda last minute of them to do so, and nobody reads these emails anyways (some email providers automatically send them to spam, even).

[Rothman]

Plenty of street parking -- free -- on Clinton St

[Rothman]

About 30-40 people rallying.