Local First Twin Bridges Edition 102022

To Love a Child to Host 13th Annual Dinner and Awards Celebration. Get on Your Feet!

CLIFTON PARKTo Love a Child, Inc. announces its 13th Annual Awards Dinner to be held on Friday, November 4, 2022 6:00pm at The Century House, 997 New Loudon Rd, Latham, NY. The Get on Your Feet Tropical themed event will feature the Circle of Love Awards presented to Infant Jesus of Prague, Jane Morrison, St. Paul Lutheran Church, and Vi ola Bramcamp. Come join us for a unique evening of fun and celebration and help support our many programs for children and families.

Ticket prices are $125 per person for Patron tickets, $150 Honorary Committee, $175 for Super Honorary Committee, $75 per person for Students (age13-18) and Children (12&under) $25. Invitation and sponsor opportuni ties can be found on our website. RSVP kindly requested by October 24th, 2022

Learn more about the work we do in our local community, Haiti and Zimbabwe and how you can make a difference in the lives of severely impov erished children. Visit our website at www.toloveachild.net or call 518-859-4424.

Shen honored for its inclusivity

By KATHLEEN MOORE

CLIFTON PARK — At Shenendehowa High School, students can join two sports teams regardless of whether they have a disability.

One might think, more than 30 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, that every school would offer such teams. But less than a third of the school dis tricts in New York state run unified teams, in which students with and without disabilities play together. They play in their own league against other unified teams. SUNY Albany also offers unified sports teams.

Shenendehowa was awarded National Ban ner status Friday for its work in the program, which began in 2014 in the region with just six school districts, including Shen.

“This program has really been a game-changer for our kids,” unified teams coach Carley Galarneau said.

Although it’s not purposeful, school and society often isolate children with disabili ties, she said. As a coach, Galarneau explicitly teaches the athletes how to become friends, finding commonalities instead of focusing on what one person can’t do. The goal is “forming meaningful relationships,” not just playing a sport, she said.

So while Galarneau is happy to see the teams coalesce as the athletes work together, she’s happier to see them sitting together at lunch or

hanging out on the weekend.

“This program puts the power in the hands of the students. It gives them the tools to have the confi dence to have those relationships,” she said. “I see the excitement on a Monday morning when kids come in to tell the stories of the weekend. That’s when we know we have a suc cessful program.”

Supported by Special Olympics, the program focuses on people with intellectual or cognitive disabilities and developmental delays. Those with physical disabilities can later compete in the Paralympics, which require certain performance qualifications. But at the high school level, they can play together on a unified team if the district can adapt the sport for the student.

PHOTOS BY WILL WALDRON / TIMES UNION

Members of Shenendehowa High School’s unified team celebrate the national recognition from Special Olympics North America. The school is one of only 16 districts in the state to earn the award.

Special Olympics New York and the New York State Public High School Athletic Associ ation collaborate to offer the Unified Champi on Schools program.

They want more districts to join, under the slogan, “If you don’t have this at your school, you should!”

Shenendehowa is one of only 16 districts in the state to earn the National Banner award, for which they must show leadership and com mitment to inclusion, including year-round, schoolwide activities. At Shenendehowa, stu dents lead activities that not only teach their classmates why inclusion is valuable, but also how to include everyone.

The award is given by Special Olympics North America and is the highest award within the Special Olympics Unified Sports move ment.

Fears of lost history ignited

Slingerlands property for sale; development gears up

By LARRY RULISON

BETHLEHEM — Historic preservationists are worried about several properties in town that have been put on the market recently — espe cially one in Slingerlands that used to be owned by a member the ham let’s founding family.

The 8-acre property, at 29 Mullens Road, which is tucked in behind the Slingerlands bridge on a dead-end road next to the rail trail, is on the market for $999,000 and is being marketed for development.

The property was once home to Cornelius Slingerland, owner of the former Slingerland Printing Co., which is nearby across the rail trail and is now used as apartments.

A few years ago, apartments were pitched for the Mullens Road site before the town started going through its comprehensive planning pro cess, which stopped commercial development until this past summer.

Today, Coldwell Banker Prime Properties is the listing agent of the Cornelius Slingerland home, calling the parcel “ready for development” on its marketing material.

Unlike most historic-property listings that would offer multiple pic tures, the Mullens Road listing has only one photo of the outside of the house, as well as a plot map of the property and this description: “8 acres ready for development in desirable Slingerlands. Public water, sewer and gas available.” The home’s condition is hard to determine, as it’s set back deep into the property.

To join, email unified@nyso.org .

There are now unified teams at about 250 school districts in the state, as well as the traditional JV and varsity teams, said Casey Vattimo, senior vice president at Special Olym pics New York.

The program has some limits. At Shenen dehowa, it’s offered in only two sports, though both are very popular. Hundreds of students play on the basketball and bowling unified teams.

Leah Witko, the listing agent, could not immediately be reached for comment.

But Preserve Historic Bethlehem, a local historic preservation group, is worried that the home will be torn down and replaced with new apart ments, which the group says will harm the historic character of Slinger lands. There are similar worries about other properties, including farm buildings that may be torn down as part of development and the town’s own plans for preserving open space.

“Throughout our town, you notice historic corners like the Heath farm buildings, Kleinke’s farm, the Slingerlands Historic District and other places because they are so rare in most area suburbs,” the group, led by Sheri Sanduski and others, said in a statement provided to the Times Union. “That’s why we urgently need overarching protections to beneficially leverage what makes Bethlehem unique. If we don’t have that discussion now, losing what makes our community special will be consequential for generations.”

Bethlehem Town Supervisor David VanLuven has pushed the town’s open-space plan, which includes a proposal before voters next month to have the town purchase 307 acres of the historic Heath farm in Glen mont and Selkirk for a little more than $2 million.

VanLuven, however, says both historic and open-space preservation can be done at the same time.

“We’re involved in a lot of things simultaneously,” VanLuven said. But he added that preserving open space does not mean that historic preser vation has to be set aside or that one cancels out the other.

“It’s a false equivalency,” Van-Luven said.

This court sets its own rules

Colonie clerk defends records request policies to appellate judges

ROBERT GAVIN

ALBANY — If an Albany County public defender cannot obtain public records from the town of Colonie’s Justice Court, what chance does an ordinary citizen have?

That question was raised Friday as five justices on New York’s second-highest court listened to arguments in the latest legal duel between Albany County public defender Stephen Herrick and Mary Falace-Mayr, the Colonie Justice Court clerk, over the clerk’s alleged stonewall ing of requests for public information.

Section 255 of the state’s judiciary law enables the public to access court records upon request for a possible fee. Court clerks are expected to diligently search files, papers, records and dockets of their offices, make copies and, if those are un available, certify that the records cannot be found. The applicant seeking the records is expected to reasonably describe what they want, but are not legally required to provide case docket numbers.

TIMES UNION ARCHIVE

Public defender Stephen Herrick says the clerk of the Colonie Justice Court has set procedures for public-records requests that don’t conform with state law.

Please

LAW BEAT

But in Colonie, Fal ace-Mayr requires appli cants seeking transcripts to provide the name of a defendant, date of the proceeding and the case docket number.

And Friday, Fal ace-Mayr’s attorney, Carolyn George, told the Appellate Division of state Supreme Court’s Third Department that providing certain tran scripts to Herrick’s office was problematic because it could have led to the release of transcripts of unrelated cases that the oretically could be sealed.

George said the office of Herrick — a retired judge in Albany County and City Court — failed to meet the threshold for a request for records in Colonie Town Court.

In turn, Assistant County Attorney Kevin Cannizzaro, representing Herrick, said Falace-Mayr circumvented the state law by requiring public defenders to supply more details than necessary.

“They simply are saying there ‘may’ be issues, there ‘may’ be confidentiality, but that’s not what (Sec tion) 255 says,” Cannizza ro told appellate justices. “Essentially, what they’ve done is taken a category of requests for things that happened in open court and said, ‘This category does not fall under 255 of

the judiciary law.’ A local court clerk cannot do that.”

Cannizzaro said a larger policy concern exists.

“In this case we have trained attorneys who are making requests to a local court. That’s their profes sion,” he told the court. “But if this is occurring with attorneys, what does a layman, who has no legal training, who has never heard of a docket num ber, (do)? It appears that Colonie’s position is that no matter how reasonably described a record is, if it it doesn’t have a docket number they have no duty to comply with Section 255 of the judiciary law. That is not the law.”

Presiding Justice Eliz abeth Garry asked George how self-represented liti gants might navigate such a process.

“It makes me wonder, if someone just said, ‘Give me the transcripts of proceedings that evening,’ would that be provided?” Garry asked.

George said the clerk would provide the person with the court’s policy, which has existed since 2017.

“The official policy applies to everyone who is requesting records,” George replied.

Justices questioned why a person could not simply get the transcript for the entire day’s proceedings. (Unspoken was that the court’s proceeding that

very day would be re corded on video in their entirety).

“You just put in a blank CD and push a button and walk away,” said Justice John Egan. “Let’s assume Colonie Town Court was in session today for three hours. You’d get a CD of three hours’ audio.”

George said judiciary law requires court clerks to search records, files, papers and dockets — not listen to transcripts.

The genesis of the legal battle dates to Dec, 31, 2019, when Herrick filed an Article 78 lawsuit against Falace-Mayr to ob tain copies of transcripts and other records. Acting Supreme Court Justice Da vid Weinstein rejected the suit because the records no longer existed — except for two 10-minute segments of transcripts from Dec. 12, 2018. Those transcripts in cluded a judge’s remarks in open court following one defendant’s appearance.

Weinstein ordered Fal ace-Mayr to provide the transcripts to Herrick’s office or show that they were confidential or don’t exist. Falace-Mayr, in turn, swore in her affidavit that providing the infor mation violated the official procedure of Colonie Town Justice Court.

“A defendant’s right and expectation of privacy hangs in the balance with this decision,” she stated in an affidavit. “A 10-min ute block of time without

the proper request may contain an appearance which may have later been sealed or expunged. It may not be possible for me to now listen to the record ings and correctly identify each participant.”

In March, Weinstein reaffirmed his ruling. The next step was the Third Department, where the panel included Garry, Egan and Justices Andrew Ceresia, Christine Clark and Lisa M. Fisher.

If this sounds familiar, it’s because back in 2018 Falace-Mayr denied Law Beat’s request for “all public information” in a second-degree burglary case.

The clerk claimed that it was a “general request” and that the Justice Court did not accept such requests.

At the time, when asked why the Justice Court did not allow generalized requests, Falace-Mayr answered: “Because that is how we do it here.”

Asked why they do it that way, the clerk an swered: “Because we do.”

League of Women Voters of Saratoga County Offering Voter Registration Tables

SARATOGA COUNTY - The League of Women Voters of Saratoga Coun ty will be offering Voter Registration tables on the five Saturdays in

Fine Wood Restorations

Lewyta

Wood Conservator

Images on YouTube @ bob lewyta Troy, NY 518-596-8484

October from 9am to 1pm at the Saratoga Farmers Market, 112 High Rock Avenue, Saratoga Springs. Residents can learn where to find information about polling places, information about registration, early voting, absentee voting , and pick up absentee vot ing applications and voter registration forms.

Music Company Orchestra is Performing Two Fall Concerts

CAPITAL DISTRICTConcert for Heroes Sat, Nov 5, 3pm –Saratoga Springs High School, benefit concert for Saratoga Co Volunteer Fire Depts, tickets $10 Pops at Clifton Park Sun, Nov 6, 2pm –Clifton Park Halfmoon Public Library, free concert.

Celebrating 50 Years of the Festival of Nations

ALBANY - Longest running and most popular such Festival in our area is scheduled this year on Sunday, November 6th at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Al bany. It’s an extravaganza of dances, crafts and Foods from about 20 ethnic groups in our area. You can call it a TRIP AROUND THE WORLD in 5 hours. Our website is festival of nations.net

Limited number of Vendor Booths are still available. For details , call 518-371-3737.

There will be Miss Fes tival Pageant on that day too. It will be FUN for the whole family.

Tickets are still only $5 for adults and $2 for Children.

The

York’s

To 180,000

ADVERTISING

Jennifer Morrell 518-454-5513 jmorrell@timesunion.com

DESIGN DEPARTMENT

Roberta Mullins

Rick Mullins

CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT

Margaret Bunkoff 518-454-5503 Margaret.bunkoff@ timesunion.com classifieds@ crwnewspapers.com Fax: 518-454-5542

DISPLAY AD DEADLINE: Friday 4:00pm

CLASSIFIED AD DEADLINE: Monday 1:00pm Twin Bridges Edition Monday 1:00pm Saratoga North Edition

The Advertiser

Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The majority of the ads in this publication were created by and are the sole property of Local First and cannot be reproduced without express permission from the publisher.

Free Car Wash with Food Donation on October 22-23 Hoffman Car Wash Bolsters Food Supplies for Local Food Pantries

CAPITAL DISTRICT

– For the second time in 2022 and for the 11th con secutive year, the staff at Hoffman Car Wash will be collecting non-perishable food items to support local area food pantries. On Saturday, October 22nd, and Sunday, October 23rd, Hoffman Car Wash will provide a free Ultimate car wash with a food donation.

Hoffman Car Wash has partnered with 17 different food pantries to provide much-needed assistance for families and individu als in need. Each Hoffman location will donate the collected items to a food pantry in its neighbor hood.

This year’s pantries include

The Anchor Food Pantry (East Greenbush)

Bethlehem Food Pantry (Delmar)

Captain Community Human Services (Clifton Park)

The Food Pantries of the Capital District (Colonie)

Fulmont Community Action Agency (Amsterdam)

Hope 7 Food Pantry (Troy)

Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (Albany)

Loaves and Fish Food Pantry (Binghamton)

Northeast Regional Food Bank (Latham)

People's Place (Kingston)

South Glens Falls Moreau Community Center (Queensbury)

The Wilton Food Pantry (Saratoga)

Franklin Community Center (Saratoga)

Utica Food Pantry (Utica)

Rome Food Pantry (Rome)

Utica Rescue Mission (Utica)

The Salvation Army in Hudson (Hudson)

Suggestions of non-per ishable food items to do nate include canned meat or fish, canned entrees (stew, ravioli, etc.), canned fruit in juice, canned spa ghetti sauce, canned soup, hot or cold cereal, canned 100% juice, and peanut butter and jelly.

To participate, individ uals only need to donate one non-perishable food item at any Exterior or Full Service location. A complete list of locations can be found at Hoffman CarWash.com.

The event is part of Hoffman Car Wash's "Practice Kindness" initiative to spread positiv ity and goodwill in the communities it serves. In 2022, Hoffman Car Wash has supported Interfaith Partnership for the Home less (IPH), Juvenile Diabe tes Research Foundation (JDRF), and the ALS Re gional Center. Additional ly, Hoffman Car Wash held its first Food Drive in early June and a free wash event for all First Responders and Hospital Personnel on September 11th. Still to come this year, Hoffman will host its annual Veter an’s Day free wash event in November.

Hoffman Car Wash also supports many non-profits and youth organizations through its Helping Hands Fundraising program.

About Hoffman Car Wash Hoffman Car Wash, along with its customer-fo cused professional staff, have been leaders in the car care industry since 1965. Based in the Capi tal Region, Hoffman Car Wash operates 27 locations throughout New York.

Grief Hope and Healing Program at The Church of the Resurrection

HALMOON - The Church of the Resur rection is providing a program to support those who have suffered a loss. The program includes the following topics: Understanding your grief; Essential tools in coping with grief; and Working through the grieving process. This free program begins Nov. 4,2022, 6pm at the Halfmoon Town Hall. Pre-registration is required. Please contact us by our website @ crsarato ga.org. Leave your name, email andthe program name you are interested in. We will provide further information to you. You may call Dcn. Susan Plaske @ 518-869-0135. Pls leave a message with your con tact information.

Christ Child Society of Albany Drive-Through Book Drive

SCHENECTADY - One of the many objectives of the National Christ Child Society and its chapters is to promote literacy in children, and with many underserved families not having the means to provide books for their children, books are donat ed to families through a number of local sites for home use. Our pursuit for children’s gently-used, as well as new, books for all ages is an ongoing effort here locally with Christ Child Society of Albany Literacy Initiative.

This fall, as a nation wide Christ Child Society activity, the National organization is asking that each of its chapters hold a Book Drive.  Christ Child Society of Albany will be holding a drive-through Book Drive on Saturday, November 5 from 10:00am to 1:00pm in the drive way in front of the Faith Formation Office on St.

Madeleine Sophie Church property, 3500 Carman Road in Schenectady, NY. Children’s board books, hard covered, paperbacks, picture books, early readers, chapter books and young adult books are welcomed.  Books in Spanish, Urdu, Mandarin Chinese and Arabic gladly accepted. Members will be available to accept donations.

Between Monday, October 31 and Friday, November 4, there will be covered bins on the front porch of the school as a collection point (which will be checked regularly).  We thank you in advance for your support.  Please contact Kathy Decatur by phone (518) 630-6226 or via email at kat5809dec@ aol.com with questions.

Stillwater United Church Stuffed Chicken Take-Out Dinner

STILLWATER - On Saturday, October 22nd, from 4:00 and 6:00, Stillwater United Church, 747 Hudson Av. is holding their popular Chicken & Stuffing drive-through/ take-out dinner! PRE-OR

DER dinners and arrange a pick-up time no later than Thursday, October 20th. Dinner price is $14 and in cludes chicken breast with stuffing and gravy, squash, baked potato, coleslaw, cranberry sauce and apple crisp. Call 518-664-7984 for reservations. Dinner Pick-up is in the back of the church on Palmer Street.

“Pumpkin Pals” Will Entertain Kids in Hospital

CLIFTON PARK - A pumpkin decorating contest sponsored by Twin Bridges Rotary Club will brighten up the lives of children at Albany Medical Center during Halloween.

The Pumpkin Pals contest (also known as The Great Pumpkin Show down), is now in its third

year with divisions for adults and kids. The event culminates Sat., Octo ber 22 from 2 to 4 pm at Peace Lutheran Church, 4 Northcrest Drive, Clifton Park, NY

Everyone is a winner in this contest because every pumpkin will be enjoyed by a child struggling with their health. All pumpkins will be delivered to the hospital prior to Hallow een. Full information on the contest and oppor tunities for sponsorship is available at the Twin Bridges’ website: www. twinbridgesrotary.com/ pumpkin-pals.html.

Twin Bridges Rotary is a part of Rotary inter national and serves the Southern Saratoga area by raising money, giving it away to local charitable organizations and by spon soring its own events such as Pumpkin Pals.

“A cappella 101”

Classes

ALBANY - Do you like to sing? Ever wonder what A cappella singing is all about? Would you like to improve your singing? Would you like to perform in front of a live audience? If you answered YES to any of these questions then these FREE classes are for you! Capitaland Chorus is holding a series of A cappella 101 classes this fall. Classes will be held on Tuesdays, October 25, November 1, 8 and 15 from 6:30-7:30 P.M. with the ultimate goal of having guests perform with us in our upcoming Holiday Show! Classes will be held at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, 1580 Central Avenue Albany NY 12205. Topics covered will include: Class 1: October 25 –Your Breath Makes Your

Song Class 2: November 1 – Tuning In with Each Other

Class 3: November 8 – How Your Body Tells a Story

Class 4: November 15 –

Music and Meaning: How It Relates To What We Do

Our entire chorus is fully vaccinated against Covid 19. Guests must pro vide proof of vaccination or wear a mask at all times during our rehearsals.

For more information and to register please visit our website www.capita landchorus.org

Halloween Car Show at Siena College

LOUDONVILLE - Oct. 22, 2022 at Siena Col lege, 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville. Show hours 11-3:00PM.

The show is designed for costumed cars or people.

10 specific Halloween Awards and 20 trophies for the top favorites.

Forget bringing your Coleman Cooler as the show has FREE FOOD.

Dash plaques and a DJ compliment the show.

Spectators enter free. For more complete information visit: http://www.capitalcar shows.com/2021Siena. html

Delmar Community Orchestra’s Fall Concert

DELMAR - The Delmar Community Orchestra, under the direction of Mi chael Blostein, will present a Fall Concert on Monday, October 24, 2022 at 7:30 pm at the Delmar Re formed Church (386 Del aware Ave., Delmar). The concert, which will include both classical selections and pops, is free and open to the public.

For more information, please visit the DCO website at www.delmar communityorchestra.org or contact DCO President Kate Henson at delmar communityorchestra@ gmail.com or (315) 363-3844.

American Red Cross Blood Drive

LOUDONVILLEGood Shepherd Lutheran Church 510 Albany Shaker Road Loudonville will be having an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednes day, October 26th from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Walk ins are welcome. Any questions or to sign up contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-Give Life or go to the American Red Cross web site.

Asphalt driveways do not last forever. Over time, weather and general usage can degrade the driveway surface, resulting in cracks, pitting and more. Ultravi olet rays, salt and automotive fluids also can affect the appearance and functionality of a driveway. An unsightly driveway can adversely affect curb appeal and resale potential.

Homeowners have to consider various factors when it comes to repairing driveways. They may have the option of getting the driveway resurfaced, resealed or repaved, and each project is unique.

Resurfacing

According to the home improvement price comparison site Kompare It, resurfacing is simpler and faster than installing a new asphalt driveway. With resurfac ing, any cracks are filled in to create an even base. Then a new layer of asphalt is applied over the existing one. That new layer can range in thickness from 1.5 to 3 inches. A heavy rolling machine will then smooth and flatten the layers to gether. If the driveway has minor pitting or cracking, then resurfacing can be a cost-effective strategy, as it may be a $3,000 to $6,000 job as opposed to $5,000 to $10,000 with repaving.

Resealing Resealing a driveway, also called sealcoating, is another repair strategy. HGTV says resealing can be a do-it-yourself project. Resealing helps the drive way last longer.

The driveway needs to be clean and dry, with holes and cracks filled prior to sealcoating. Start at the far edge of the drive way and seal that area by “cutting-in” by hand for a neat edge. Afterward the rest of the driveway can be sealed using a squeegee or broom. This project can be completed within two or three days if no precipita tion is forecast.

Repaving

A project best left to professionals, repaving typically involves the removal of an existing driveway and the instal lation of a new one. The sub-grade layer is essential in the process for a smooth look. Contractors also will assess soil and grading when doing work. The construction blog Main In frastructure says the new asphalt driveway can vary in thickness between two and six inches, depending on budget and need. The contractor also can advise if full-depth asphalt appli cation or an aggregate base is practical. Assessing the condi tion of driveway can give homeowners a better idea about which type of repair project best suits their property.

FURNISHED APARTMENTS

UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS

Care Links Presents Second Senior Resource Fair

CLIFTON PARK - Care Links, a program of CAP TAIN Community Human Services, will host the second Senior Resource Fair on Tues., Nov. 1st from 11:00am to 2:00pm at Shenendehowa United Methodist Church (Fellowship Hall, Door F, 971 Route 146, Clifton Park,).

The semiannual Senior Resource Fair offers local businesses and organizations the opportunity to connect with our community’s seniors and share their programs and services.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information or to register as a vendor, please visit www.captaincares.org/seniorfair.

The Society Of American Magicians

HALFMOON - The local group of The Society of American Magicians (SAM), Assembly #24, meets on the second Tuesday of the month at The Halfmoon Diner, Route 9, Halfmoon. For meeting details and information about our organization visit our website: WWW.SAM24. SYNTHASITE.COM

PHOTOS

BY MEREDITH COONS / MERI LIGHT PHOTO