New York lawmakers meet this month to finalize a state spending plan for 2022-23 due April 1, and included in the debate is a proposal that would allow restaurants to again offer the ‘cocktails-to-go’ permitted under an Andrew Cuomo pandemic executive order that expired eight months ago.
Governor Kathy Hochul made waves in January when she announced the proposal that make permanent the chance for restaurants to sell alcoholic takeaway drinks when accompanied by food-to-go orders and after the State Liquor Authority would establish rules and regulations on the practice.
The proposal pits restaurants against liquor stores – a public policy debate last seen when lawmakers allowed restaurants to seal unfinished bottles of wine for diners to take home after their meal. Restaurants say cocktails-to-go is an important post-pandemic lifeline, liquor stores say the plan “will threaten the livelihood of thousands in our industry.”
Wayne Carrington owns Oneonta’s Autumn Café and B-Side Ballroom with his wife, Rebecca, supports the governor’s plan but does not believe the discussion demands a zero-sum outcome.
“This is not about territory,” he said. “This is about community. Restaurants serving to-go drinks and liquor stores co-exist for the better of every community.”
He said to-go cocktails made a big difference for the Autumn when pandemic rules prohibited in-person dining. That experience, in turn, changed diners’ habits.
Wiley Laidlaw, the cook at the Autumn Cafe, pics out lobsters for at Friday’s Lobster and Oysters on Main Street dinner event at the weekly Survive Then Thrive event. “We had lobsters last week.” explained owner Wayne Carrington, “It was so popular we brought it back and added oysters!” Today’s event also featured live music by the Little Delaware Youth Ensemble, a pig roast, Chinese Auction and a shot of Oneonta’s Architecture at GOHS. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
POP-UP SHOP – 5 – 7 p.m. Find hand blown glass pieces ranging from functional to artistic by Hartwick College Graduate Crystal Postighone. The Autumn Cafe, 244 Main St., Oneonta. 607-432-6845 or visit www.facebook.com/theautumncafe/
GARDEN CLUB – 7 p.m. Rick Marci presents ‘Attracting Birds Throughout The Year’ on how to create bird friendly ecosystem using plants, food, feeders. Illustrated through use of Rick’s excellent pictures. St. James Episcopal Church, 305 Main St., Oneonta. 607-432-1458 or visit www.facebook.com/Oneonta-Federated-Garden-Club-133855897358767/
SAFETY – 1:15 p.m. Learn how to travel safely in, outside the country with Diana Nichols. Cooperstown Senior Community Center, behind St. Mary’s Church, 31 Elm St., Cooperstown. coopseniorcenter@gmail.com
PERFORMANCE – 9 – 10:30 p.m. ‘Step Afrika’ performs dance that uses the human body as an instrument as practiced by traditionally African American fraternities, sororities and incorporates song, story telling, audience participation. Admission, $3/person. Hunt Union Ballroom, SUNY Oneonta.
SAVE ENERGY – 1:15 p.m. ‘Be Empowered To Save Energy’ with Jackie Burke & Bennett Sandler. Learn how to make your house energy efficient, save money. Cooperstown Senior Community Center, behind St. Mary’s Church, 31 Elm St., Cooperstown. coopseniorcenter@gmail.com
Tastes and talents were on parade during the 16th annual Chili Bowl at CANO this afternoon. Art lovers lined up before the doors opened to be the first to browse this year’s selection of artisanal decorated bowls. Inside and outside of CANO, guests enjoyed plenty of chili for all preferences. Above, chef Rhett Mortland, representing the Autumn Cafe, serves Otsego County Representative Danny Lapin, right, a bowl of Montezuma’s Tail and Feather Chili. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
FILM – 7 p.m. Showing ‘BLACKkKLANSMAN’ about a dangerous undercover mission by Ron Stallworth, the first African-American detective in Colorado Springs Police department with colleague Flip Zimmerman, to take down the KKK as they change their rhetoric to appeal to mainstream America. Admission, $3/person. Red Dragon Theater, SUNY Oneonta.
ANGEL TREE PROGRAM – Give the Gift of Christmas this holiday season. Adopt a family in need. Visit www.allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ to learn how.
MEETING – 5:30 p.m. Angel Network meets to discuss 2019 Gala, opportunities for different committees (Christmas, my neighbors closet, etc.), 2020 gala, 2020 goals, more. Find opportunities to volunteer. Cafeteria, Cooperstown High School. Visit www.facebook.com/Cooperstown-Angel-Network-373232176025689/
FILM DAYS – Fall film fest features films on theme “Adaptations.” Includes films:
‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ – 10 – 11:30 a.m. Film for the kids. Village Hall Ballroom, 22 Main St., Cooperstown.
Kids Hike – 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Get the kids out for ‘adaptations’ themed hike. Follows Susquehanna River from Main to Mill Street. Village Hall Ballroom, 22 Main St., Cooperstown.
‘Under The Palace Wall’ 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Village Hall Ballroom, 22 Main St., Cooperstown.
‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ – 1 – 3 p.m. Village Hall Ballroom, 22 Main St., Cooperstown. Final day. Visit www.glimmerglassfilmdays.org
POP UP SHOP – 5 – 7 p.m. Find variety of handmade leather wallets, bags, more inspired by medieval, fae, & fantasy designs. Created by Hannah VanArsdale. Autumn Cafe, 244 Main St., Oneonta. 607-432-6845 or visit www.facebook.com/theautumncafe/
PRESENTATION – 7 p.m. Nights of the Roundtable program features author David Pietrusza presenting “Field of Myths: 100 Years After Baseball’s 1919 Black Sox Scandal. Finally Separating the Many Myths from the Reality” dissecting reality behind myth of infamous Black Sox World Series Fix. Cooperstown Village Library. 607-547-8344 or visit www.facebook.com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/
The air was filled with music this afternoon as musicians and music fans filled Maple Park in Oneonta for the third annual Celebration of Local Musicians. The event, sponsored by The Autumn Cafe, The B-Side Ballroom and Cleinman and Associates is free to the public and features more than 5 local bands who had people dancing away. Above, members of Blues Maneuver Tina Johnson, Rebecca Harrington and Dave Krajicek lend their musical talents to the afternoon lineup while Harry and Mary Bristol, right, Oneonta, swing dance together. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
