Capital Region sure knows how to celebrate

Call us biased, but we found it difficult to accept WalletHub's survey listing the best places for Christmas.

Not a single Vermont city made the list, and the only upstate New York city on the list was Buffalo.

Chicago came in first, followed by San Francisco. While both have plenty of shopping options and fine restaurants, Capital Region cities have their own advantages. And Orlando, where it doesn't ever snow, ranked sixth.

We're thinking "A Visit from St. Nicholas," first published in the Troy Daily Sentinel, and the Victorian-themed events that draw thousands to downtown Troy and Saratoga Springs.

Then there are the many churches, as well as winter resorts.

We also think Capital Region residents are a generous group, supporting those less fortunate during this most wonderful time of the year.

On our list, the Capital Region is tops when it comes to celebrating Christmas.

Land owner Derek Jeter, not baseball's Derek Jeter

For the second time in recent weeks, Derek Jeter has bought a property in Albany.

But, as the Albany Business Review pointed out last month, this one didn't play for the Yankees.

He also doesn't spend a lot on the properties he buys. In this case, Jeter bought property at 300 Clinton Ave. from the Federal National Mortgage Association for $13,500.

Last month, Jeter bought an apartment house on 251 Sheridan Ave. from Sixth Son Holdings LLC for $81,600.

Jeter the baseball player, now CEO of the Miami Marlins, is no stranger to Albany. Early in his career, he played for the now defunct Albany-Colonie Yankees.

Bigfoot casts large shadow in Whitehall

A 12-foot statue of the legendary Bigfoot is drawing a crowd in the Washington County village of Whitehall, and attention across the country. National news media has picked up the story of the metallic creature that went up this month outside the Vermont Marble, Granite, Slate and Soapstone Company on Route 4. Owner Paul Thompson had just moved his business from nearby Castleton, Vt, and hoped the statue would generate some local interest, but was surprised when the Wall Street Journal and other national newspapers wrote about it. Devotees of the mythical man-beast, who was allegedly sighted around Whitehall during the 1970s, have a choice of Bigfoot-logoed soapstone products, like pizza stones, mugs and tumblers. Rumors have it that Thompson and Bigfoot may even try their hand at barbecue.