Photography Winners Announced For Commemorative Calendar

ALBANY, NY (09/04/2008)(readMedia)-- The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) today announced the winners of the photography contest that was held as part of a Commemorative Calendar project being developed by the BID celebrating the upcoming Quadricentennial. A total of 85 photographers participated, entering a total of 250 photographic images for the contest. The 13 selected photographs were also unveiled. "We were thrilled when our generous and committed BID partner Edward Swyer of The Swyer Companies came to us with this idea of a photographic calendar," commented Pamela Tobin, Executive Director of the Downtown Albany BID. "Not only is Ed's initial underwriting allowing us to create this wonderful commemorative piece as a component of the BID's participation in the Quadricentennial, but it also creates an opportunity for us to enhance and initiate BID programs as a result of revenue generated from the project. We are also grateful to the contest judges - Ed Swyer; Christine Miles, Executive Director of The Albany Institute of History and Art; and Dave Mercier, Senior Art Director of Zone 5 - who had quite a challenge selecting winners from all the spectacular photo entries."

Winners include: Michael Furgang of New Lebanon, NY; Timothy Raab of Albany, NY; Alan Wechsler of Rensselaer, NY; Paul Tokarchuk of Malta, NY; Jeff Perkins of Slingerlands, NY; Donald Blais of East Greenbush, NY; Patricia Decker of Cohoes, NY; David Koschnick of Cohoes, NY, Howard Fogelson of Latham, NY; David Carroll of Albany, NY; Luba Ricket of Albany, NY and Tom Killips of Troy, NY. The first, second and third place winning photographers received cash prizes of $1,000, $500 and $250 respectively for their photos - they were Michael Furgang (First Place), David Carroll (Second Place) and Howard Fogelson (Third Place). To see the winning images, visit the Downtown Albany BID website at www.downtownalbany.org and look for a link on the main page or under "News."

The calendar photos will be on display September 5, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 518 Broadway in Albany as part of an exhibition for the second anniversary of 1st Friday. This will be the first opportunity to pre-order this unique commemorative calendar before it premieres on Friday, September 19, 2008 when the Half Moon returns to the Corning Riverfront Preserve. Calendar pre-sale orders receive a 10% discount off the $20 regular price-additional bulk order discounts apply. For information about a calendar purchase, contact the BID office at 518.465.2143. All calendar proceeds benefit the Downtown Albany BID, a 501 (c) 3 organization, whose mission is to restore, promote and maintain the character and viability of downtown Albany and improve the quality of life and overall image for those who live in, work in and visit the Capital City.

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