and Honeybee Street Intersection Artwork For Trick-or-Treaters

TROY>> Carmen's Cafe will host an "Art Night" this Thursday, Oct. 30 featuring: a honeybee themed intersection artwork project, an art opening with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a special dinner menu.

INTERSECTION ART

Starting at 4 p.m. (weather permitting), city planning board chair Barb Nelson and the Alley Action Project will lead a volunteer team to create intersection chalk art at First Street and Adams Street. The team will paint crosswalks for trick-or-treaters because there are none in that section of the city. The theme of the street artwork will be honeybees, in a neighborly nod to a local honeybee colony.

"These chalk murals are one way to alert motorists to pedestrian crossings, which is particularly important on this night when so many children will be out trick-or-treating," said Jim Lewis, co-owner of Carmen's Cafe, located at 198 First St. near Troy's Washington Park neighborhood.

Neighborhood resident Beverly Bendix maintains a colony of honeybees that helps maintain her variety of perennials, including several fruit trees. The bees also help out with her neighbors' large garden. Honeybees have been suffering colony collapse in recent years, which may have dire implications on the ecosystem.

"Having honey bees helps to pollinate our plants, makes for a more beautiful city, and of course we can’t say no to the five gallons of honey we got this year!," said Beverly Bendix. "We believe that the city and nature can and should co-exist together. "

ART OPENING & RECEPTION

While community members create the chalk murals outside, Carmen's Cafe will also host a tapas and sangria reception from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m. for artist Gary Masline. The restaurant will be open until 9 p.m.

Masline's exhibit of 12 oil paintings is titled "Faces & Places."

Based in East Greenbush, Masline's paintings of oils on canvas have received awards from the Mohawk-Hudson Regional Exhibition, Albany Center Gallery, and the Arts Center of the Capital Region. In 2010, the Albany Institute of Art and History named him one of "Tomorrow's Masters Today," and in 2001 he won the Metroland readers' poll for "Best Visual Artist."

The paintings, on display at Carmen's from Oct. 30 through the end of the year, use the colors and light of the American southwest, combining people and landscape images to create "stories on the walls."

(Note: Contact Jim Lewis for publicity images of Masline's artwork.)

SPECIAL MENU

Carmen's guest chef, Ross Tuskey, will be preparing the following special menu for Thursday and Friday nights:

1. Braised Oxtail; Fontina Grits, Apple Gastrique, Fried Leeks, Cilantro

2. Butter Poached Monk Fish Medallions; Fried Green Tomatoes, Pine Nut Couscous, Pink lemon pearls, White Wine Syrup

3. Smoked Baby Pork-loin; Whipped Plantains with Coconut, Butternut Squash Hay, Pineapple Rosemary Demi

(optional, depending on market: 4. Grilled Halibut; Jicama Slaw or Yuka Fries, Pea Puree, Chorizo Cream)

Tuskey is a culinary trained chef who prepares food for Carmen's Cafe on music nights.