Elk Sign

A tiny plastic elk pauses before a sign in an otherwise empty store window on Lark Street.

Santa Speedo Sprint 2015

Yes, it's that lovely time of year when a crowd of scantily-dressed revelers race down Lark Street for charity.  It was unseasonably warm yesterday so no one froze their unmentionables.

Santa Speedo Sprint 2014

Because nothing says "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" like an inflatable shark and a crowd of cheerful people in colorful underwear running down Lark Street on a cold, wet December afternoon!

Things In The Tree

It was the blustery wind a few days ago that directed my attention to the decorations in this tree along Lark Street.  They promote the nearby creative co-op, The Machine.

Abandoned House

A festive, candy-adorned gingerbread house left on the window ledge of Key Bank at Lark Street and Washington Avenue.

Santa Speedo Sprint 2013

Yes, it's THAT time of year again.  The annual Santa Speedo Sprint dashed down Lark Street from Madison to Washington Avenue (and back again).  There were quite a few familiar faces, plus a goat this year.

There's a full album on my Facebook profile (it's set to Public so anyone can take a look).

Under Clark's Corner

Not too long after writing about the demolition of the Paul Clark Tavern at the corner of Madison Avenue and Lark Street, the site was excavated further and I noticed this brick structure.  This week, I finally got a chance to poke my camera through the fence surrounding the construction area.

Don Rittner has some suggestions as to what it might have been in his excellent post, What Happened To Paul Clark's Corner?

The brick building in the background is the former Metroland office, now being converted to condos.

Also:  Paul Clark's gravestone

Frolicking On The Wall

Exuberant sketched figures cavort on a wall at the corner of Lark and Sherman Streets.

Are You My Mummy?

No, not Egyptian mummies with yards of linen wrappings.  This window display at a Lark Street hair salon certainly brings to mind a Doctor Who episode called The Empty Child in which an eerie little boy wearing such a mask repeatedly asks that question.

Chalk Kitten

A cheerfully-colored cat sketched on the sidewalk near the Lark Street Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop.

Trinity Windmill

The Lark Street entrance to the massive Neo-Gothic Trinity Church is framed by an arch which is embellished with a variety of symbols, including this charming little windmill.

Found On Lark Street

When I was very little, we'd sometimes go shopping at the massive old Montgomery Wards out in Menands.  Once, I picked up a penny off the railroad tracks that ran across one of the parking lots.  At least one train had passed over the coin and bent it into the shape of a taco shell.  I kept that unusual penny for years, somehow lost it, and wish I still had it.

This penny, however, is the most battered I've ever seen.  At first, I thought it was just caked with dirt, but a closer look shows how damaged the cent is.

Duct Tape Sculptures

Folk-art figurines created from duct tape in the window of a Lark Street gallery.

The Gingerbread Man

A cheerful gingerbread man and candy canes form a nice window display on Lark Street.  I remember when this was the old Beverwyck Restaurant; now it's the Hollywood Cafe.

Shiny Holidays

A shimmering and festive wreath outside a Lark Street business.

Jazzy Santa

Santa Claus with a saxophone on Lark Street.

Ready To Sprint

Scantily-clad runners ready the sleigh for the dash down Lark Street during the annual Santa Speedo Sprint.

The quality isn't perfect, but here's video of the race itself heading north on Lark Street.

Ghostbusters

I ain't afraid of no ghosts!

With Halloween (and a bad storm) on the horizon, this car was spotted just off Lark Street this morning. 

The Moody Bee

A not-so-cheerful, but oh-so-cute bee on Lark Street near Lancaster Street. 

Holiday Hardware

A tree decorated with paintbrushes and tools - and topped with an saw-wielding angel - stands outside a soon-to-open custom framing shop on Lark Street.