> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.albanyscanner.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Albany Today, Aug. 18 - URL: https://www.albanyscanner.com/2026/08/18/newsletters/albany-today-aug-18-2026/ - Published: 2026-08-18T23:30:05.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-18T23:30:05.000Z - Description: The man behind the fallen Solano Ave. clock. - Author: Editor's desk - Tags: Newsletters, #newsletters The "Mr. Albany" clock at Solano and Kains is gone for now — but the story of the man it honored offers a window into the history of the city and its main commercial drag. "Everyone called him Mr. Albany," Jerome Blank's daughter, Deborah, told Albany Scanner last week. "Even in his last year, he gave everything he had to the residents here. He was just so proud of Albany." [Before the clock came down, it kept ‘Mr. Albany’ timeThe vintage clock, damaged over the summer, honored Jerome Blank. The Scanner wanted to learn more about him.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b5/b0/b5b0b7ec-798c-4cb6-ab42-472b59c05589/content/images/icon/alb-scanner-orange-bcb1e95f-f303-4cd0-8adb-a4899bee81f9.png)Albany ScannerAllyson Aleksey![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b5/b0/b5b0b7ec-798c-4cb6-ab42-472b59c05589/content/images/thumbnail/721089235_10163354669402815_3730744973669756032_n-a5ef71f5-d99e-46e2-bf44-a230e6f853ca.jpg)](https://www.albanyscanner.com/2026/08/18/community/albany-jerome-blank-broken-clock-solano-avenue/) ## In other news Watch: CBS featured Albany resident Penny Barthel in a recent segment. (The video will start after you click the link; it just takes a few seconds to load.) [Albany woman dispenses cannabis recipes after growing her own plantsFor as long as she can remember, Penny Barthel of Albany has been growing herbs in her tiny backyard garden: basil, mint, rosemary, the classics.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b5/b0/b5b0b7ec-798c-4cb6-ab42-472b59c05589/content/images/icon/favicon-3e5e663e-cc81-4287-a1be-e1918a06a11b.ico)CBS News![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b5/b0/b5b0b7ec-798c-4cb6-ab42-472b59c05589/content/images/thumbnail/95e8d247a06bdfaaaeae8812a59ffa86-5b210aeb-d6e0-43fd-a79a-fbbbb64826ec.jpg)](https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/video/albany-woman-dispenses-cannabis-recipes-after-growing-her-own-plants/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTxuDhwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6IBHs%5FnBJsA1CSspjEoZYC6FoM3JZEunphV7n6QM-l0SpN-N-VNSSTNdZtmA%5Faem%5FdPTkYqQGoTMQQw0fFVtiGA&ref=albanyscanner.com) ## In case you missed it [County supervisors delay $30 minimum wage measureThe initiative won’t appear on the November ballot after a 3-2 vote.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b5/b0/b5b0b7ec-798c-4cb6-ab42-472b59c05589/content/images/icon/alb-scanner-orange-ae431913-e3bd-41a1-bd92-edd6bcaa98ea.png)Albany ScannerAllyson Aleksey![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b5/b0/b5b0b7ec-798c-4cb6-ab42-472b59c05589/content/images/thumbnail/alameda-turnin-crowd-597e28b6-7013-4040-b42a-98494ddd711a.jpg)](https://www.albanyscanner.com/2026/08/17/city/county-supervisors-delay-minimum-wage-measure/) Don't miss a chance to learn about housing and tenant services — and eat free pizza — tonight at the community center. [Albany hosts homeowner and tenant fair TuesdayThe free event features legal, utility and home repair help. Plus free pizza!![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b5/b0/b5b0b7ec-798c-4cb6-ab42-472b59c05589/content/images/icon/alb-scanner-orange-8daab585-b261-4b9f-88f0-07978657a7ad.png)Albany ScannerAllyson Aleksey![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b5/b0/b5b0b7ec-798c-4cb6-ab42-472b59c05589/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-08-14-at-6.19.56---PM-7540f980-28d8-4abe-aeba-c93ef5bfe342.jpg)](https://www.albanyscanner.com/2026/08/15/community/albany-homeowner-tenant-fair/) [Albany Democratic Club hosts candidate forum Aug. 27City Council and school board candidates face voters at ADC’s first election forum, followed by an endorsement meeting.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b5/b0/b5b0b7ec-798c-4cb6-ab42-472b59c05589/content/images/icon/alb-scanner-orange-33e67129-7fdd-436e-b0f6-9387c649eb76.png)Albany ScannerAllyson Aleksey![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b5/b0/b5b0b7ec-798c-4cb6-ab42-472b59c05589/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1745848413041-3eeb106db501-aac1b58d-dd48-4ab0-a44a-871710321cab)](https://www.albanyscanner.com/2026/08/13/city/albany-democratic-club-candidate-forum-aug-27/) Share [photos, video and tips](https://www.albanyscanner.com/tips/) with Albany Scanner. **Read [ more stories](https://www.albanyscanner.com/archive/) • Learn [about us](https://www.albanyscanner.com/about/) • 👋 Follow us on [social media](https://www.albanyscanner.com/about/#social-media)** --- *P.S. 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