1st Friday - TN3 CD Release Party for "Here"

The Todd Nelson Trio (TN3) returns to the University Club, 141 Washington Avenue (at Dove Street) on Friday, November 5 from 8-10 p.m.

The band will have copies of their new CD, titled “HERE” available for $10.

According to a review by Mike Hotter in Metroland (9/16/10) “Todd Nelson is a preternaturally tasteful guitar player … the album is enjoyable from start to finish … his guitar lines hew mindfully to the emotional intent of... each composition…” The recording is “custom built for fans of instrumental rock and jazz” and “unpretentious enough … to please even those who don’t consider themselves aficionados.”

Greg Haymes, in a review on Nippertown.com (9/27/10), called HERE a “stellar break-out recording that is worth the wait …Nelson’s guitar sound is clean and crisp, but always warm, bringing to mind Bill Frisell…Despite his lengthy musical career, Nelson’s recorded output has been all too sparse. This album goes a long, long way in remedying that situation.”

On the first Friday of each month, as part of the University Club’s celebration of 1st Friday, one need not be a member to enjoy live music, dinner and dancing in the Grille Room, dress is casual, and cash and major credit cards are accepted. Drink specials will include the HERE Kir, a signature cocktail created for this event.

The performance is free and dinner will be served until 9:00 p.m., call 518-463-1151 for reservations. As Todd says, “the Club is a nice place to hang.”

FREE TRIAL Membership - through 12/31/10!

U Club Application - FREE

The University Club is a wonderful resource for the people of Albany and the Capital Region:

• a handsome historic building which is a significant anchor on one of our busiest thoroughfares;
• a place where one can have lunch with a colleague, or host a meeting for a small or large group in an elegant, professional atmosphere; and
• an extension of our homes – whether we want to get together with friends for drinks, host an intimate dinner or a fun party, or put up out-of-town guests for the evening.

We’re certain that you’ll love our Club as we do. In fact, we’re so sure, we want to offer you a free trial membership through the end of 2010. No charge, no strings, no gimmicks!

This offer is available to anyone who is not currently a member of the University Club, and we ask that you provide your credit card number for billing of any fees incurred for meals, drinks, or room rentals.

To become a member, simply fill out and drop off or mail in a copy of the application form. During this free trial period, we are waiving the requirement that candidates have two sponsors and meet a representative of the Membership Committee prior to consideration by the Board of Directors – we are also waiving the entrance fee. The sooner you sign up, the sooner you can begin enjoying benefits of membership!

All over the country, private clubs are closing because of dwindling attendance. The average age of club members is climbing, and younger people are not joining as their parents once did. Today, the University Club needs careful stewardship to endure, and to maintain its dignity, history and uniqueness.

The club is membership-owned and is governed by four elected officers and a board of directors. Membership is open to men and women who have graduated from, or attended, a recognized university or college. A limited number of memberships are available for those who have not attended college.

We hope you’ll take advantage of this limited time offer, and join the University Club of Albany!

PS: Did you know that the University Club has reciprocal agreements with some 125 other clubs around the country, including the Penn Club in New York City and the University Club of Boston? You can visit the University Club online at http://www.universityclubalbany.com/ for more information.

Community Connections III - Thu. Oct. 14

Help celebrate volunteerism, promote not-for-profit organizations in Albany!

The public is invited to attend a reception celebrating Albany’s educational, charitable and social organizations on Thursday, October 14, 2010 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Community Connections III will take place at the University Club, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street. The University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. is hosting this event, dress is casual and one need not be a member to attend.

The reception is free and open to the public, and will feature information from many of Albany’s not-for-profit institutions and City representatives, including: Albany Damien Center; Albany Institute of History & Art; Albany Roundtable; the quarterly publication Capital Neighbors; Center Square Association; Common Council Member Richard Conti; eba, Inc.; Equinox; Friends of the Albany Public Library; Girls Inc.; Historic Albany Foundation; Hudson/Park Neighborhood Association; Mansion Neighborhood Association; Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany; Senior Services of Albany; The Stakeholders; the Albany Field Office of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI Albany), and the Washington Park Conservancy. Representatives will be on hand to let participants know how they can join or support these important organizations.

Raffles, prizes, and hot and cold appetizers will round out the evening. Beer, wine and soft drinks will be available.

“The Albany Institute is honored to be a part of Community Connections III,” said Steve Ricci, the Institute’s Director of Public Relations and Marketing. “There are so many outstanding nonprofits working to enrich our community. Community Connections is an opportunity for them to meet the public, and each other, so we can all learn more about we do and lend support to those efforts.”

The first Community Connections was organized in November 2009, and additional events have been scheduled by popular demand.

“Community Connections was envisioned as a membership-building event, something that not-for-profit groups could use to attract new supporters,” said Colleen Ryan, one of the event’s organizers. “But it’s also a ‘one-stop-shopping’ opportunity for potential supporters and volunteers to check out the wonderful cultural, social, and human service-oriented not-for-profits in Albany. We hope to see many familiar as well as new faces at Community Connections III on Thursday, October 14.”

Sip, Savor & Support

Please join the University Club Foundation for an evening of food, art and fine wine on Friday, October 8th from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Your $25 tax-deductible donation entitles you to:

• A taste of 6 hand-crafted wines presented by Capital Wine and the Hudson-Chatham Winery (see wine descriptions below)


• Elegant hors d’oeuvres


• Silent and live auctions for fine wine and art

Ticketed guests are also invited to stay for the University Club's signature "Prime Rib & More Buffet" which features: soup du jour, mixed green salad, succulent Roast Prime Rib, Baked Salmon, Chicken Teriyaki, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Vegetables, Triple Chocolate Cake and Fresh Fruit. $25 per person plus tax and service charge - buffet will be served from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Reservations are necessary -- please call 518-463-1151. Cash and credit cards accepted for non-members.

Featured Wines from Hudson-Chatham Winery:

Reisling
A dry Riesling made from Finger Lakes grapes that has that refreshing characteristic snap of a delicious, refreshing Riesling. A perfect accompaniment to everything from a variety of cheeses to fruits, poultry, fish, and salads.

Lindenwald White
Packaged in a distinctive blue bottle and named for President Martin Van Buren’s home in Kinderhook, this is one of Hudson-Chatham Winery’s most popular wines. It’s a blend of Diamond and Niagara grapes, and smells and tastes like a juicy Concord grape, reminiscent of those found on wild vines. It’s sweet yet light – a great sipping wine with spicy food or dessert.

Ghent Blush
This sweet rosé is a wine made from red grapes whose skins were removed after fermentation began. The fermentation is stopped before the wine goes dry, providing a sweeter taste. Blush wines are created in every wine producing country and despite being less serious than other types of wine, have become popular.

Pomme Bullé
French for “Apple Bubble,” this hard cider is produced from the juice of Northern Spy apples. Like ordinary apple cider, Pomme Bullé tastes autumnal but is much less sweet. It compliments fall foods — stews with root vegetables — and seasonal desserts, especially apple pie. It also is an ideal foil for your savory-with-a-touch-of-sweet Thanksgiving menu.

2008 Cabernet Franc
A medium-bodied dry red made with grapes grown on the North Fork of Long Island, our Cab is smooth and tasty – a great all-purpose red for those who want some fruit but like their red dry. The Hudson-Chatham Winery Cabernet Franc rated 84 in Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Empire Red
Empire Red is 33% Cab Franc from the Finger Lakes, 33% Merlot from the North Fork of Long Island, and 33% Baco Noir from the Hudson Valley. The wines are made individually, and then the best lots are selected for this important portfolio wine. Blended after one year’s time, the wine is separated into three lots and separately aged in French oak, American oak, and stainless steel barrels. The wine is then bottle-aged six months, resulting in a complex and mature wine of incredible depth.