Photo title, 4 words:'Views from a picnic'

Yep. We played charades. Well, at least some of us did.

While some stared goggle-eyed at the speed with which a certain small group guessed the puzzlers, others continued chowing down on Popeye chicken, hamburgers, salads, sweets, drinks -- and leftover pizza from the previous night's traditional pizza party -- after a rollicking afternoon of boccie, Frisbee target throwing and other fun things dreamed up by the planning committee.

It was the XXth annual (does anyone remember when we had the first one?) Terrace Summer Picnic, held today in the common space behind the mailbox gazebo, with the usual good time had by all. And, we have the pictures to prove it. Here they are, courtesy of Bill Dowd who forgot to take any of himself:

Farewell Troy City Hall, finally

The long simmering approach to fixing or replacing the decrepit, ugly and poorly thought-out Troy City Hall may have come to some sort of solution.

As part of his final flinging of millions of your tax dollars to projects he personally favored before stepping down from his lofty State Senate perch at the close of business today, former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, R-Brunswick, says he has solved the politically contentious topic.

As reported in the Times Union:

"TROY -- The city will receive $6 million in state funds to transform its Hudson River shoreline by replacing the decaying City Hall with a park and retooling the waterfront with recreation and development opportunities.

"State Sen. Joseph L. Bruno unveiled the funding package Thursday, making it his last economic development announcement before he retires today. He also urged the city's feuding Republican administration and Democratic City Council to work together and pledge $2 million in city funds to get the entire $8 million riverfront overhaul completed.

" 'City Hall is going to come down. In its place will be a 200-space underground parking garage. On top, it will be all grass,' said Bruno.

"The $6 million from the state Environmental Protection Fund revives the push to demolish City Hall and relocate city government. The City Council must still decide how it wants to raise the city's $2 million share of the funding package. One option officials have discussed includes borrowing the money."

There are at least two schools of thought about this move:

• Since major players from both major political parties attended the announcement, their bickering over what to do about City Hall will stop and cooperative efforts will begin.

• A total of $8 million will come nowhere close to complete funding of such a project -- demolition of the structure, hauling off the rubble, moving city government operations elsewhere, preparing the site for new uses, fighting the ever-escalating costs of fuel and materials ... and on and on and on.

(A prime example of such rose-colored viewing is the estimate to build the largely unnecessary Rensselaer Rail Station running millions over budget and required hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs within the first couple years of its existence.)

Keep watch and make up your minds which school of thought is worthy of a diploma.

Meanwhile, here is Mayor Harry Tutunjian's message about the project, taken from the city's official Web site:

"July 17, 2008

"With just two days separating us from the inaugural Troy Pig Out, today would be a wonderful day to talk about all the exciting events taking place this weekend. Unfortunately, I’m going to make you click here to do that, and get a run down of what is happening.

"That’s because earlier today the City held a press conference with Senator Joe Bruno to announce significant funding for the redevelopment of the Hudson River waterfront and the City Hall site. The announcement of this funding from the Senator came at a time when he was just hours from retiring from the job he has held for 32 years. I do not believe we will ever be able to thank him appropriately.

"Among the projects that Troy received funding for today are:

• $4.7 million to redevelop the City Hall site to include park space and a 200-car underground parking garage. The roof of this facility will be a park, with grass, fountains, and play areas. Use your imagination. Best of all, it will improve access to the Hudson River.

• $500,000 to construct a Troy Maritime Welcome Center to provide amenities that will include showers, restrooms, laundry facilities, and an information kiosk to encourage boaters to spend time in Troy.

• $750,000 to construct a fifteen-foot wide waterfront esplanade to reinforce the existing sea wall and promote usage of the waterfront. Docks and boating facilities will be extended as part of this project.

• $500,000 to improve the existing band shell in Riverfront Park and build a new amphitheater.

• $1.05 million to improve the Ingalls Avenue boat launch, including repairs to the launch, retaining wall, sidewalks, dock and fishing pier, and the construction of a new boaters facility with restrooms and amenities.

• $500,000 for the American Rock Salt pile to move to a more industrial site in southern Troy.

"The total cost of these projects is $8 million, of which Senator Bruno has earmarked $6 million to accomplish all of the above.

"Last year, we made an announcement that we would attempt to move City Hall to the Verizon Building on Sixth Avenue. As everyone knows, the issue became a political football and the project has stalled. At the time of the announcement, we spoke quite often that our original intent was to move out of this building without any direct effect on the taxpayers.

"Today’s announcement changes much of that original plan. We now have the ability to solve many different issues, and fulfill the wishes of many different people. I was extremely happy that City Council President Clem Campana stood by my side today and pledged the support to the City Council in moving these projects forward. Hard work and creative thinking can now be teamed up with this funding to create a new legacy in downtown Troy that generations of Trojans will be able to enjoy. It is time to roll up our sleeves, work together, and get this done.

"Stay tuned over the next few months, there will be much more to come.

"Have a great weekend, and please stop by the Troy Pig Out on Saturday or Sunday.

"If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or complaints, please do not hesitate to call me (518) 270-4401 or e-mail the Mayor’s Office.

In the interest of precision, please note that the figures Tutunjian supplied add up to $8 million, not the $6 million Bruno diverted to the city, and thus $2 million less than Tutunjian referred to as "among the projects that Troy received funding for ... ." So, the city still has to come up with $2 million.

Party, party (well, picnic) weekend!

It's time once again for our ??th annual Terrace Summer Picnic.

It's part of a double-barreled schedule:

• Sunday is the day, 2 p.m. registration is the time, and even if the weather turns on us the big tent will keep us dry and the good company and good food will keep us in good spirits. Last year was the first time we'd been rained on, and we still had a great turnout.

• The traditional 5 p.m. night-before pizza event will be held under the same red-striped tent in the common area behind the mailbox gazebo. This will be a good time for new residents of the Terrace to get to meet neighbors they don't yet know.

All the last-second details are on the bulletin boards at the gazebo. Hope to see as many Terrace residents as possible.

If you've forgotten what went on last year, just click here to see some scenes from last year's event.

Summer in the city: Everything from pigs to plays

Troy is a lively place these days, so you may want to get out of the house and take advantage of all the goings on.

The inaugural "Troy Pig Out" is the biggie of the summer, another brainchild of chef/entrepreneur Larry Schepici (Tosca, Illium Cafe, La Marche Vert) who founded last year's hugely successful Troy Chowder Fest.

It's scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, July 19-20, at Riverfront Park behind City Hall. There are several free parking garages nearby.

The event will draw professional barbecue teams from around the nation, competing in the People’s Choice Beef Rib Eye competition on Saturday and the New York State BBQ Championship on Sunday. The main event is sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Association and the Office of the Governor. The winner of the state title will qualify for the National BBQ Championship competition.

Live music and plenty of food will be available for this free public event. If you want to download the full schedule, just click here. If you just want to know the basics, here they are: The event will run from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 20, with a variety of live musical acts.

Here are just a few other examples of what's going on. You can find a lot more by clicking here.

• "Collar City Live presents Storm Front -- A Billy Joel Tribute"

This free concert is set for 6 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at the Riverfront Park behind Troy City Hall. The music of Billy Joel will be presented by a six-musician band called Storm Front. Bring your own lawn chair and enjoy the sounds. (In case of rain, the performance will be held at The Arts Center of the Capital Region, 265 River Street.)

• William Shakespeare's "The Tempest"

The Bakerloo Theatre Project will present the play at 2 p.m. July 17, 18, 19, 24 and August 1 in Academy Hall, corner of 15th Street and College Avenue on the RPI campus. This is the troupe's ninth repertory season in the Capital Region. Tickets are $16 (a season pass costs $25).

• First Columbia Presents: "Rockin’ On The River" Concert Series

The free outdoor concert will take place along the Hedley District Riverfront on River Street just north of the Collar City Bridge, from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 16.

• Collar City Live presents "Peter, Paul & George"

This free noontime concert for the family on Wednesday, July 16, will include rhythmic movement, music, history, social skills, international culture and customs, one in which everyone can participate. It will be held in Riverfront Park behind Troy City Hall. (Rain site: The Arts Center of the Capital Region, 265 River Street.)

What was Troy like?

If you like historic photos, such as this 1949 one of Monument Square in downtown Troy, click here, then scroll down on the left side to "Historic Photos" and select "Troy."

You'll get a fascinating album of photos from the Times Union showing what the community once looked like.

New weekly paper to focus on 'good' news

This certainly is not an area lacking in newspapers of the daily, Sunday and weekly variety, but some former Record newspaper employees are hoping there's room for one more.

They're starting a free weekly called The Trojaneer. You can read all about the new venture by clicking here.

About those 3rd quarter dues ...

I confess. I set a poor example as president of the Terrace at Highpointe Homeowners Association by paying my third quarter dues a few days late.

Now, doesn't that make those of you who were -- or still are -- late less guilty?

It tends to happen during the summer when other things, such as vacations, dozing in a lawn chair, gardening or whatever, tend to occupy our thoughts to the exclusion of most other things.

But, let's all ante up -- $388 per household -- and we'll keep our accounts straight and not have to worry about writing another check until October 1.

Now, isn't that better?

Strange things are going on

• A crocus plant.

• A new spray nozzle.

• My strawberries.

Anything else missing in the neighborhood?

Those first two items either grew legs and walked off or were purloined from a couple of Terrace residences.

We suggest everyone keep their eyes peeled for any intruders, yard sale fans or anyone else who might be of the light-fingered persuasion.

Meanwhile, we're negotiating with a specialist in the field of security to see what we should do.

Oh, the strawberries? No, I'm not Captain Queeg of "The Caine Mutiny," railing about kitchen help gobbling up the strawberries in the refrigerator. These were from what should be a bumper crop in my herb-and-veggie garden. And, I know who took them. Let's just say it's a relation of Peter Cottontail.