Antiques in the Streets 2016

From knickknacks to antique stores, Albany is selling everything

Antiques in the Streets: An annual Albany event that encapsulates everything “Downtown” into one big garage-sale-like mish-mash of music, food, and antiques.

The band Blue Honey played at the Albany Farmer’s Market, with members Melinda Pride, Glory Butler, and Bill Lewey playing Americana and Blues as shoppers swarmed the Farmer’s Market.

Further down the street, at the intersection of Broadalbin Street and 2nd, the heart of the event was marked by Glenn Anderson’s Mystery Machine blaring music.

Over 50 vendors lined the streets, one of which was Micki Korff. Korff and her husband drive from Couer d’Alene, Idaho for Oregon’s antique events and sell from year to year.

“You see a lot of the same people,” said Korff.

They not only travel with their antiques and clothing for sale, but with their three Cocker Spaniels, Zoey, Molly, and Patches.

Jewelry flew off the shelves in downtown Albany. Lisa Russel, owner of Two Dollar Vintage in Valley River Center was there with boards full of pins and bins overflowing with necklaces, broaches, and various silver pieces.

“We’ve sold over 400,000 pieces in four years,” said Russel.

Not only were various bits and pieces for sale, but also a full store.

Linda Swanson, owner of Whispering Willows is selling her business.

“Due to health issues, I'm selling the shop,” said Swanson.

Antiques in the Streets isn't just antiques; there was also a car show with over 100 vehicles on display, competing for the various awards given out by businesses.

A few of Pixie’s pinup girls from Pixie’s Pinups in downtown Albany were also out in full pinup regalia at the car show. Kass, Grace, Jay, and of course Pixie herself were out to represent.

All the proceeds from the event, including tickets sold for a raffle went to Habitat for Humanity.

If you're interested in attending next year, mark your calendar for the Saturday after Labor Day.

Art and Air Festival 2016

Photo by Katrina Wilson

 The Art and Air Festival of 2016 was another high-flying success.

Hot air balloons soaring over sunrise stained clouds are an iconic part of summer in Albany, and have been for over 20 years.

The hot air balloons of the Art and Air Festival are a major part of what makes this Albany classic so enticing. From the magic of Night Glow to the majesty of the early morning lift offs, Art and Air wouldn't be the same without them.

Art and Air occurs every year on the third weekend of August. This year’s festivities were Aug. 23 to 28. The festival has everything from live music to art sales, but the balloons are always the main attraction.

Getting up before sunrise is rough, but becomes less rough when you get to see giant hot air balloons getting inflated.

There's good reason behind being an early bird, though. Dawn and dusk are the best times to fly balloons, because the sun hasn't stirred up the winds at that point, and it's much safer to fly.

The owner of the Skydancer Company, Brian Smith, has been flying for over 20 years and has been running Skydancer for three years.

His balloon, “Sundancer” made an appearance among many others on the first day of the festival.

“It's able to hold five average houses worth of air...it's eight stories tall, so to put that into perspective, that's 120,000 basketballs,” said Smith.

Balloons from the festival will often head towards Freeway Lakes for a splashdown, or water landing.

On the second day of the festival, no balloons were able to land in the lakes, but they all landed  just outside Albany, most of them gathering in one large field.

On Aug. 24, balloon launches were cancelled in the morning due to weather concerns, but the people of Albany got one last show of balloons soaring overhead on the final day.

“Ballooning is not a practical form of transportation...it's an adventure,” said Brian Smith.

6 Things You Learn From Buying a Shitty Van

The author leans on her very own shitty van.

When life gives you lemons, buy a lemon.

One sometimes finds themselves plunked into the brutal market of shady car dealerships and dubious craigslist ads. Whether it’s moving out, an unfortunate accident or Martians have suddenly abducted your car, it’s occasionally necessary to cave and buy a beater just to get you through your next term. I know I did, and here’s what I learned from obtaining my own spectacularly shitty van. (A rusty 1996 Ford Windstar with the Phoenix Inn logos barely peeled off.)

1. Decisions Are Hard

There is nary a more vulnerable feeling than standing on a car lot, trying to decide if the Camry chop shop special to your left is less likely to make you die in a fireball than the hulking Windstar on your right. The salesman stares into your eyes, making you wonder if you should just take up biking. In the end, you just have to test drive and see where things go. Don’t be afraid to leave and come back again, but just bite the bullet in the end.

2. Just Because it Doesn’t Have a Key Doesn’t Mean it Won’t Start

Apparently, all you need to look like the sketchiest driver in the world is a large screwdriver and an even sketchier van. Make sure to keep your licence, title, insurance, and all the paperwork on you at all times, and leaving the price tags on the vehicle until you make it to the DMV to put your newest addition to the family in your name doesn’t hurt either. Re-keying your ignition and doors is also a lot less expensive than you’d think, so don’t worry.

3. Just Because it Starts Doesn’t Mean it Won’t Have Problems

The first time I experienced my van stalling on me was in the middle of an intersection. After my near-death experience, I quickly made sure my will was in order, and then took my van in for a check up. A word to the wise, auto parts stores are less likely than a mechanic to charge you nearly $300 to not tell you what the problem is, and are more likely to plug in a diagnostic tool and help you get the right parts. I learned this the hard way.

4. Just Because it Has Problems Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Fix Them

After your moment of existential dread concerning what happens to you after you die in yet another intersection, you will be more than happy to buy a few parts, and get some knowledgeable friends or even a mechanic to help you replace them. YouTube and auto parts stores are a wealth of knowledge, don’t be afraid to ask questions and use your search bar heavily.  

5. You Will Hate Your Vehicle

There will come a moment when you break down yet again, and honking cars swerve around you, and that an insatiable urge to light your vehicle on fire and never look at it again will wash over you. Ignore this urge.

6. You Will Love Your Vehicle

There will also be times where you are parked out in the country, sitting on your crappy van, car, Vespa, or bike, and genuinely appreciate the decision you made in that dusty, hot, sketchy car lot. Hold on to these moments and save them for when your car breathes its lemony last and you have to set out yet again to purchase your next one.

Life Hacks: Sunburn

1.Prevention

Always remember your sunscreen and to reapply often. It also helps to wear wide brimmed hats and clothes that are loose and cool, yet still cover your skin. For swimming, there’s shirts and bottoms with sun-fighting properties woven into the fabric to keep you safe.

2. Aloe Vera

One must be picky with their aloe products. Aloe gels often contain fragrance and coloring which can be extremely irritating to skin, especially sunburned skin. When choosing your aloe gel, pick one that is 100% aloe, or even just buy a plant. When using a plant, simply cut off a leaf and cut it in half and squeeze out the juice. If you buy a bottle of aloe gel, you can pop it in the fridge to make it extra cool and soothing.

3. Vinegar

Did you disregard Step 1? That’s okay. Right after you get inside take a cotton pad and pour some diluted apple cider vinegar onto it. Rub it onto your skin, and rinse off the vinegar soon after to prevent further burning.  

4. Tea

Black tea is also known to help with a sunburn. Tying a couple bags to the faucet as you run a bath, or just dumping a mug in is known to help calm your skin woes.

5. Avoid soap and perfume

The alcohol, fragrance, and oil stripping properties of perfume and soap will make it even harder for your skin to heal. Avoid soap for a day or two after your burn to give your skin a chance to heal up.

6. Take a Cool Bath Before Bed

Sleeping with a sunburn is a miserable experience, and cooling off before bed can help calm your inflamed blood vessels.