This, I think, will definitely be worth the $30.

Guided International Grocery Store Tour

On Saturday, October 24th, 2015 from 10:00 – 4:00 PM, the International Center of the Capital Region (ICCR), in collaboration with the Central Business Improvement District, and “foodie” and YELP Ambassador Daniel Berman, will be sponsoring a fabulous guided bus tour of area international markets including: Rolf’s Pork Store, Breakthrough West African Market, Tay Vietnamese Market, Chester’s Smokehouse, and Parivar Spices and Food.

Get an in-depth insider's look at what’s available in some of these very unique grocery stores while sampling their wares and meeting their owners along the way.

Call ICCR at (518) 708-7608 for more details or to make a reservation.  Cost is $25 for ICCR Members and $30 for Not-Yet Members.

Albany craft beverage producers will come together to highlight the area’s best in craft beer, wine, cider and spirits

ALBANY, N.Y.  – Four Downtown Albany craft beverage producers – C. H. Evans Brewing, Nine Pin Cider Works, the Albany Distilling Company, and Druthers – are launching the Albany Craft Beverage Trail (ACBT) with their inaugural event, Drink Albany, set for Saturday, Oct. 3 in Quackenbush Square.

Drink Albany will take place at Quackenbush Square and parts of the Montgomery Street parking lot near the Albany Pump Station. The event will open its doors at 1 p.m., with a special VIP happy hour beginning at noon in the stunning courtyard of the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau. In addition to the four Albany-based producers, Altamont Vineyard & Winery will be on hand to serve wine.

The event will feature live music from Mirk, North and South Dakotas, Dylan Perillo Orchestra, Brett Sears, and Morris Code. Beer, cider, wine, and spirits made from each producer will be offered to guests. In addition, a great selection of food trucks and other local vendors will be present.

(from ninepincider.com)

A general admission ticket includes an Albany Craft Beverage Trail signature glass, along with the opportunity to drink from all of Drink Albany’s participating craft beverage producers. VIP tickets treat guests to specialty beverages from each producer for an hour before general admission begins. Beverages will also be available for purchase by the glass. Advance tickets start at $10 for general admission, $25 for VIP, before increasing on the day-of the event.

All members of the trail are based out of Albany County, and four of them have made their home in Albany’s warehouse district. The ACBT’s mission is to promote the facilities of craft and farm based producers in the County of Albany, New York as a unified tourist destination, including representing, protecting and promoting the common business and regulatory interests of its Members and their role as part of the fabric of Albany and to promote tourism in the region.

For tickets, sponsorships, and vendor information, visit albanycraftbeverages.org. Social media includes fb.com/drinkalbany andtwitter.com/drink_albany, where the latest updates will continue to be posted.

CHINA TOWN HALL: Local Connections, National Reflections

"Doing Business in China: Supporting American Entrepreneurs and their Chinese Counterparts"

On Monday, October 5^th from 6 to 8 PM, please join the International Center of the Capital Region, the Town of Colonie Planning and Economic Development Department and the National Committee on U.S. - China Relations for an evening devoted to promoting  "Doing Business in China: Supporting American Entrepreneurs and their Chinese Counterparts."

The event will take place at the Meeting House at The Crossings of Colonie, 580 Albany-Shaker Road, Loudonville, NY 12211.

From 6 to 7 PM, a round-table discussion will take place providing practical advise on promoting international trade/business/interaction with China. The panel will include experts from government, academia and the business community. NYS Assemblyman John T. McDonald, NYS Assembly will serve as the Panel Moderator.

From 7 to 8 PM, the program will feature a live webcast panel discussion from Washington, DC on Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States with Robert Rubin, Secretary of the Treasury under President Bill Clinton; Sheldon Day, Mayor, Thomasville, Alabama; Daniel Rosen, Founding Partner, Rhodium Group; and Stephen Orlins, President, National Committee on U.S.- China Relations. 

The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Plenty of parking will be available. For more information, please call the International Center at (518) 708-7608.

A friend forwarded me this email which described Pumpkin Spice Adirondacks, immediately saying "Just Kidding!" afterward.

This is obviously making fun of the fall pumpkin obsession. The whole email/link was pretty amusing so I thought I'd share.

(Meanwhile, I did just take my first "fall-ish" hike up in the Adirondacks this past weekend. Not quite Pumpkin Spice, yet)

PUMPKIN SPICE ADIRONDACKS Just kidding! All the flavor of the Adirondacks with no additives, preservatives, or artificial sweeteners.

Oh, so cheesy. Apple cider: a bit more full-bodied than pumpkin spice. Luxury hiking? Caves, rocks, and disc golf? By land? Nope, by sea! Here a chick, there a warbler, everywhere a finch-finch. Kick back and watch the world... Ready to bike the flats? We've got them! A contest for every region: Win some fun! Geared-up getaway for two Stay & play for two Great Camp getaway Two-wheeled vacation Boat tour getaway Adirondack Coast vacation Relaxing water getaway Adirondack paddling getaway