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SATURDAY, October 15th — Upper Union Street Festival
SATURDAY, October 15th 10:00AM-3:00PM
Upper Union Street Festival & Art Show
* Skip Parsons Clarinet Marmalade Quartet with the combined talents of Woody Strobeck (trombone), Tim Coakley (drums), Rich Skrike (piano) & Skip Parsons (leader, clarinet and soprano sax) at Northeastern Fine Jewelry*
*Holly and Evan sponsored by Trustco*
*Time Benders sponsored by Hot Harry’s*
*Chelsea Cavanaugh sponsored by Gershon’s Deli*
*DJ at Bel Cibo*
*Erin Powers at Divinitea*
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
WHILE YOU’RE THERE…don’t forget to stop by the AMERICAN LEGION: This Saturday, October 15th, the Park Avenue Nursery School will be having a 20 Family Large Garage Sale at the American Legion Hall from 8:00AM-2:00PM. They will also be in attendance at the Union Street Harvest Festival that same day so pick up some baked goods whose proceeds will benefit the school.
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FRIDAY, October 14th 5:00PM-8:00PM
“Time Illuminated ” Art Show MoHu Arts Fest / Schenectady Art Night Reception
at Sow’s Ear Studio and Gallery on Upper Union Street
The reception will feature “Meet & Greets” with the twelve participating artists and light refreshments. Participating artists: Julie Branch, sculptural dioramas; Sharon Costello, fiber arts; Fran and Vin Giordano, photoconstructs; Cheryl Gutmaker, fused glass; - Richard and Sharon McCormack, stone clocks; Nanette Miranda, handmade paper room screens; Nancy Niefield, pottery lamps and clocks; Mary Paul, photography; Lauren Prock, polymer clay clocks; and Gary Shankman, oil painting. The show continues through November 5. The reception is free and open to the public.
“It is better to have burnt and lost, then never to have barbecued at all”
Anonymous
I want to start off this blog entry with a disclaimer, I don’t tend to like BBQ food (except for Dinosaur BBQ or homemade) but I decided to check out the new BBQ place Rubbin’ Butts in Union Street in Schenectady. Rubbin Butts originated in Cobleskill but has now opened a new location on Upper Union Street. Open from 11AM-9PM.
I walked in the first day it opened to give it a try and it smelt like a lumber yard, the wood on the walls was new and I smelt it, I assume the smell as declined since then. 
The point is that they want customers to write a message on the wall in hopes to cover the wall with notes from satisfied customers. I walked in to the one window and ordered a Pulled Pork Texas ($6.75) which was made with Hickory Red BBQ Sauce and a corn muffin ($.95 cents). The sandwich was huge, definitely more meat that I usually put on a sandwich and not enough BBQ sauce for my liking. As I mentioned, BBQ food isn’t my first choice but this was good. I found the meat to be a little dry but I think it may have been because a lot of the sauce was on the bread and I ate the sandwich open faced just because it was just way too much food for me but it was good that I had enough to bring home to make a sandwich for my boyfriend later.
They also offer another type of Pulled Pork, Pulled Pork Carolina which is with Vinegar Sauce instead of BBQ Sauce ($6.45) with the option of coleslaw on top ($6.95). I wish I had seen the Sausage with Peppers and Onions before I ordered my Pulled Pork because that’s more my speed but I guess I’m saving that for next time! They also offer what they call Country Style Plates which adds a cord bread muffin and & side which costs around $8.95. The sides include potato salad, macaroni salad, grits, collard greens, etc.
Overall the food was good but not mouthwatering amazing. I would go again not only because I like to support local businesses but because the food is good. I wouldn’t pick that for lunch everyday but it would surely satisfy my BBQ cravings when they DO come, I would just need to add a bit more sauce next time.
“The perfect lover is one who turns into a pizza at 4:00 a.m.”
Charles Pierce
I’ve been eating pizza from Homestyle since I could remember, it was always our go-to pizza place in Schenectady. Even after it moved I have ordered food to-go as mentioned in a previous blog entry but never eaten in the actual restaurant. This past weekend I decided to give it a try with my boyfriend. I figured that I liked their food so what can be so different between sitting down and taking it to go. The menu was huge, there was a lot to choose from. 
The prices were all pretty reasonable so don’t look to that for a way to narrow it down. I ended up deciding on getting an individual pizza with peppers, olives, mushrooms and white cheese. I love onions so I figured I’d add those but they came at a pretty steep price of $1.00 for a dusting of onion on my pizza.
We first got rolls which were fantastic. They came to the table warm and with melted butter- I could’ve eaten that for dinner! The food came out really fast which was good because I was starving but after that we didn’t see much from our waitress. Both Jim and my waters were empty and she never came back to refill them. The only times she checked on us was right after our food came out and I didn’t have a chance to take a bite yet. This doesn’t go for all waitresses there but it seemed that since we went at a less busy time (around 5:00PM) that the waitresses didn’t want to hound us which I did appreciate.
The pizza was really tasty. Nothing stayed on the pizza, almost all of it fell off with each bite but isn’t food more fun when it’s messy? I ate half of it and saved the other half for the next day and it still tasted just as good. My personal taste buds wouldn’t have minded if it had garlic of some kind on it but it was good. I was eyeing a salmon burger when I was making my decision and I think that may be my choice next time. The pizza was great but it wasn’t anything spectacular, just pizza. Next time I want to try another type of Italian food they offer to compare that to other places in the area. The pizza was good but if I want pizza, I’m going to I Love NY Pizza across the street. Sorry, Homestyle but no worries, I’ll be back for your sandwiches and paninis because they’re VERY good.
“Friends are the Bacon Bits in the Salad Bowl of Life.”
Anonymous
I’ve lived in my house for almost my entire life in walking distance of upper Union Street and in walking distance of probably my favorite deli, Gershon’s (1600 Union Street, Schenectady).
Photo Credit: Gershon's Website
Not only can you buy the best deli products around but it’s a great restaurant as well. If you plan on sitting inside, just head to the back where a waitress will be right with you. If it’s a beautiful day outside, you may want to eat on the patio. Pick up a drink from one of the coolers and go right to the cash register to order and pay for your sandwich and whatever sides you may want with your meal. Then, go pick a seat in the sun or under an umbrella and your food will be out shortly.
I decided to order a BLT (one of my favorites). You have the option of white or wheat bread, I decided on wheat. For around $7 I got a sandwich, bottle of Snapple, a pickle and a bag of chips, can’t beat that! The sandwich was fantastic! I had the perfect amount of everything on the BLT. 
My friend Katie however ordered a turkey sandwich and boy did they not hold back on that turkey. She had enough extra Turkey there to make another sandwich, so for about $8 you have enough for 2 if you decided to save the meat or if that’s just how you like it, what a deal!. (All sandwiches come with a pickle but not all of them come with chips) They make all sandwiches on the spot so you’re able to tell them just how you like it.
* NOTE-If you live closer to Upper Union Street than you do to Jay St and love Perreca’s Bakery Italian bread, then you’re in luck, they sell it at Gershon’s!
