POCKET SQUARES Whether we like it or not, Albany’s “small town ambience” is fading away in the rear view mirror as the city accelerates down the road toward its manifest destiny as a power player in regional politics.  And the world is now developing a greater awareness of our little city as council and committee meetings are televised on KALB (Channel 33), thereby spreading Albany’s image farther and wider than ever. In keeping with these developments AlbanyCentral believes that it behooves our officials, and in fact all of our citizens, to project a more professional image to other Bay Area cities as we strive to “take our rightful place at the table.” Those of us who read our Bibles daily are quite familiar with 1 Corinthians 13:11: “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”  So AlbanyCentral suggests that it is time for Albanians to put aside their quaint, small town habits of dress and present an appearance to the world more in line with our city’s growing aspirations. Since appointing himself, our current Mayor has shown strong leadership in moving the city forward.  To his credit, he does not often exhort us to do the right thing from the “bully pulpit”, but instead chooses to lead by example.  And so we applaud him for raising our consciousness in the matter of appropriate dress, particularly for those participating in council and committee meetings, as both officials and citizens.  For the first time ever, the Mayor was observed wearing a Pocket Square.  What is a Pocket Square?  Well, it is a small handkerchief sometimes referred to as a breast pocket handkerchief.  But Pocket Square is the proper term and these ornamental hankies actually have a long and interesting history.  Why?  Because the wearing of a well-folded Pocket Square clearly contributes that little extra touch to one’s suit or sport coat, elevating the wearer’s appearance, and projecting an air of importance.
		In this picture the Mayor is sporting a “four point fold” Pocket Square which is, actually, quite a difficult fold to master.   But there are other easier folds to start on including one, two, and three point folds.  So beginners can work their way up to the harder ones. Once familiar with folding techniques, one can move on to the flat fold, the puff  fold, the double point role fold, the four mountains fold, the three stairs fold, and many others!.  (We are talking to Albany Adult Education about the possibility of a course on this folding business.)  But the important thing is to begin!  Please wear a Pocket Square at your next meeting (preferably a silk one, but if you can’t afford it cotton will do).  If everyone will just do this, Albany’s image will be enhanced and our city will finally begin the receive the level of attention and respect from other East Bay cities that it so richly deserves. back