LOCAL • INDEPENDENT • FREE Volume 11 • Issue 33 • August 19 – August 25, 2016
Castle Goes to
Washington
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Elizabeth Sobol: SPAC’s New President & CEO
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Performing Arts Center announce Thursday, August 18, the appointment of Elizabeth Sobol to the position of President and CEO, effective October 1. Formerly the President and CEO of Universal Music Classics and Managing Director of IMG Artists in North/South America, Sobol brings to the position decades of artist management and recording industry experience in both Widely revered for her bright intellect and compelling the classic arts and mainstream entertainment along with a commitment to breaking down barprogramming instincts, Elizabeth Sobol brings to SPAC diverse experience and a determination to riers between the two. bring great music and dance in all its guises to SPAC audiences. Photo by Dario Cantatore.
See President pg. 17
Pretty Cool, Bud!
Undersheriff Richard Castle at the White House briefing on 21st Century Policing. Photo provided.
Clydesdales Hit Our Neighborhood
by Norra Reyes Saratoga TODAY BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County Undersheriff Richard Castle said it was a great honor to join his law enforcement colleagues across the nation at the White House in Washington D.C. on Thursday, August 4, as a participant in the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing to discuss the task force’s one-year progress report and bring the knowledge back home to the county. “We had a broad spectrum of people there,” said Castle. “They brought in law enforcement, government, and industry experts to talk about different aspects of the report. The highest-ranking official was Broderick Johnson, assistant to the President and cabinet secretary to the White House. There was the director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services from the Department of Justice, and a police chief from Wilmington, Delaware, which has a large metropolitan police department, among others. We See Castle pg. 12
Winner’s Circle See pgs. 45-51
Inside TODAY Blotter 4-5 Obituaries 6-7 Business 20-21 Education 22-23 Pulse 31-40 Sports 52-55 Photo by Gail Stein.
See Clydesdales pg. 36
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Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
Man on the Street “What is your favorite Olympic sport?” Asked at the West Side Sports Bar and Grill, 112 Congress Street, and in downtown Saratoga Springs.
“Gymnastics, because of how much goes into it and how cool they are, both men and women. They’re the highest level of athletes.” - Leejay Pollacchi, from Saratoga Springs
“Swimming. I was a competitive swimmer, so I understand it the most.” - Alicia Lloyd, from Saratoga Springs
“Gymnastics. It’s the most fun one to watch.” - Olivia Mannion, from Saratoga Springs
“Swimming, because of Michael Phelps!” - Shelley Kennedy (right), from Jamaica “Women’s gymnastics. I took gymnastics growing up.” - Jillian Bouchard, from Saratoga Springs
“Decathlon. It’s a combination of 10 events and it’s the most athletic.” - Mark Raleigh, from Saratoga Springs
“Track and field. I like to watch the runners.” Rebecca Kennedy (left), from Jamaica
“Downhill racing. I like the winter sports more.” - Pat Sabatino, from Pennsylvania
NEWS 3
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
City Adds, Promotes to It’s Roster of Bravest SARATOGA SPRINGS —Saratoga Springs’ Public Safety Commissioner, Christian Mathiesen held a swearing in ceremony on Tuesday, August 16 at 5:30pm in the City Council Chambers of City Hall. The individuals sworn in are recently promoted Officers and recently hired Firefighters. They include the following
members: Promoted to Captain: Joseph Dolan Michael Evans Promoted to Lieutenant: Jeffry Alonzo Aaron Dyer Recently hired Firefighters: Andrew Tourtellot Christian DeCapria
Kevin Mehan Christopher Stewart Elizabeth Grebe Jonathan Marra Brendan Thornton Tyler Briscoe Alan Hiltz Congratulations to all that were honored from Saratoga TODAY
Photos by Francesco D’amico
Firefighter Brendon Thornton
Firefighter Elizabeth Grebe takes the oath
Lieutenant Jeffry Alonzo with sons (l-r) Andrew, Christopher and Nicholas
Commissioner of Public Safety Chris Mathiesen Captain Joseph Dolan congratulating. Captain Dolan’s wife, Anne, watches at far right.
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BLOTTER
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
Saratoga County Sheriff
MOST WANTED
The following pages display a list of Saratoga County Sheriff ’s Most Wanted fugitives. DO NOT attempt to arrest or detain any of these subjects as some may be considered armed and/or dangerous. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of any of these individuals contact the Saratoga County Sheriff ’s Office at (518) 885-6761. FRANCISCO TOLENTINO Date of Birth: 06/14/1979 Hispanic Male 5’ / 145 lbs. Black Hair / Brown Eyes
JOHN H. VANCE Date of Birth: 06/15/1986 White Male Brown Hair / Brown Eyes Beard
Burglary Second Degree – 2 counts (class C Felony) Assault Second Degree- (class D Felony) Assault Third Degree – (class A Misd) Endangering the Welfare of a child – (class A Misd) Francisco Tolentino is wanted on the above charges on a Saratoga County Superior Court warrant. Tolentino was arrested in July of 2013 by the Sheriff ’s Office after he broke into a residence in the town of Saratoga and assaulted a male and female with a glass pitcher. Tolentino is a native of Mexico and was believed to have fled the country and returned to Mexico after being bailed out of the Saratoga County jail by his employer last fall. Tolentino is a migrant worker and may have or may soon be returning to the area for work. He is an experienced farm hand and had worked at a local dairy farm in the Town of Saratoga.
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Assault 2nd Degree (Class D Felony) John Vance is wanted on two felony Saratoga County Court warrants stemming from incidents that occurred in 2010. Vance is accused of assaulting another inmate while he was an inmate at the Saratoga County Jail. He was subsequently bailed out of jail and failed to appear on the assault charge and also failed to appear on an earlier grand larceny charge. Vance has resided in multiple locations across the Capital District, most recently in Saratoga Springs. Vance is also wanted by the Saratoga Springs PD, the Schenectady PD, and the New York City PD.
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Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
ARRESTS: Pablo B. Herrera, age 38, of Indiantown, Florida was arrested Friday, August 5 and charged with criminal contempt in the second degree. Tyvon M. Webb, 26, of Saratoga Springs was arrested Friday, August 5 and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree, unlawful possession of marijuana, and three counts of failing to signal. Skylynn N. Weldon, 19, of Glens Falls was arrested Friday, August 5 and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Zyaire l. Mays, 25, of Saratoga Springs was arrested Friday, August 5 and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Jesse D. Kownack, 30, of Schenectady was arrested Saturday, August 6 and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree and possession of a controlled substance outside of its original container.
Dufel, 19, of Gloversville were arrested Sunday, August 7 and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and an open container, respectively. Quinton M. Munson, 20, of South Glens Falls and Stacia S. Munson, 46, of South Glens Falls were arrested Sunday, August 7 and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and an open container, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree and failing to signal a turn, respectively. Jessica L. Lacross, 32, of Rotterdam was arrested Monday, August 8 and charged with assault in the third degree, reckless endangerment in the second degree, and obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. Robyn L. Smith, 40, of Queensbury was arrested Monday, August 8 and charged with petit larceny. Sarah A. Christiansen, 18, of Saratoga Springs was arrested Monday, August 8 and charged with assault in the third degree and endangering the welfare of a child.
David C. N. Ferrara, 31, of Schenectady was arrested Saturday, August 6 and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree and failing to signal a turn.
Connie M. Cabral, 27, of Saratoga Springs was arrested Monday, August 8 and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree.
David A. Vinetti, 28, of Watervliet was arrested Saturday, August 6 and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.
Robert F. Martin, 28, of Salem was arrested Monday, August 8 and charged with attempted assault in the third degree and endangering the welfare of a child.
Todd J. Lewis, 46, of Gansevoort was arrested Sunday, August 7 and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Matthew R. Gallup, 23, of Slingerlands was arrested Sunday, August 7 and charged with disorderly conduct. Brendan E. Killian, 33, of Ballston Spa was arrested Sunday, August 7 and charged with criminal tampering in the third degree. Abigail E. Adamkoski, 18, of Mayfield and Maryssa M.
Harry T. Richardson, 30, of Corinth was arrested Monday, August 8 and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. Justin A. Preget, 26, of Clifton Park was arrested Monday, August 8 and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ronald E. Lipscomb, 59, of Albany was arrested Tuesday, August 9 and charged with
BLOTTER 5 driving while intoxicated, failing to stop at a stop sign, and the felony charge aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree. Eugene B. Jackson, 28, of Schenectady was arrested Tuesday, August 9 and charged with driving while intoxicated, failing to obey a traffic control device, driving with a BAC of more than .08 of one percent, and failing to keep right. Jerritt T. Chura, 30, of Stillwater, and Raymond C. Lee, 26, of Mechanicville were arrested Tuesday, August 9 and both charged with criminal possession of marijuana in the fifth degree and unlawful possession of marijuana. Jeffrey W. Hojenski, 53, of Rock City Falls was arrested Tuesday, August 9 and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree and following a motor vehicle too closely.
Robert W. Carr, 27, of Saratoga Springs was arrested Wednesday, August 10 and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree and failing to stop at a stop sign. Christopher M. Marsh, 22, of Clifton Park was arrested Thursday, August 11 and charged with failing to stop at
a stop sign and unlawful possession of marijuana. Daniel P. Kincaid, 37, of Scotia was arrested Thursday, August 11 and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree and operation of a vehicle with safety seats and belts.
ARRESTED
Wilfredo F. Diaz, 43, of Whitehall was arrested Tuesday, August 16 and charged with the felony charges of rape in the first degree, a criminal sexual act in the first degree, and assault in the second degree. At approximately 4:12 a.m. on the morning of August 16, the Saratoga Springs Police Department responded to a 911 call in regard to strange activity occurring on the shoulder of Nelson Ave in Saratoga Springs, just north of the Saratoga Casino and Raceway. Officers arrived at the scene and found DIaz in the process of assaulting a 28-year-old woman. A level two sex offender, Diaz was arraigned in Saratoga Springs City Court and
remanded without bail. If anyone was in this area at this time and may have any information regarding the incident, they are asked to call the Saratoga Springs Police Department at 518-584-1800.
6 Donald Gitlitz SARATOGA SPRINGS — Donald Gitlitz passed away on Sunday, August 14, 2016, at age 84, after a long battle with cancer. Born in 1932, Don married his high school sweetheart, Mae. After graduating from Fordham University, he went into the Army as a Lieutenant. Donald was a lifelong entrepreneur, starting the AMERICAN ELECTROFAX CORPORATION in 1965. Don also had a love of Dinosaurs and helped launch DINOSAURUS magazine as the Executive Vice President in 1994. Donald is survived by Mae; his sister Joan; his four children, Suanne (George), Gail (Tom), Craig (Maria) and Donna (Jeff ); his eight grandchildren, Tara, Sheri, Melissa, Shannon, Evan, Alex, Jennifer and Joseph. Relatives and friends said their goodbyes on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016 at the William J. Burke and Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Funeral services followed. Burial with military honors was held on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Duell Rd. in Schuylerville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sacred Heart Youth Program, 83-17 78th Avenue, Glendale, NY 11385. Online remembrances may be made at www. burkefuneralhome.com.
Eugene M. Landry BALLSTON LAKE — Eugene M. Landry, 90, formerly of Schuylerville, passed away on Friday, Aug. 12, 2016 at Saratoga Hospital. A native Saratogian, he was born July 14, 1926, son of the late Joseph and Mabel (Moslin) Landry. He was a graduate of Saratoga High School and worked for 25 years as a printer for The Saratogian and later at the Times Union as a proofreader. Eugene enjoyed gardening, swimming, fishing and sailing his own sailboat. He also enjoyed music and was an avid reader. His favorite time was spent with his family at the beach in Wildwood, NJ. Eugene was a volunteer for the General Schuyler Emergency Corp. and Mary’s
OBITUARIES Haven. An active member of the Church of St. Peter in Saratoga Springs, he was a Eucharistic Minister, Coordinator, Lector and a member of the Parish Council. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Marie (Geiger) Landry; daughters Kathleen Boice of Schuylerville and Suzanne (Jason) Finn of Gansevoort; son Patrick (Brenda) Landry of Stillwater and grandson Steven Boice. Relatives and friends gathered to say their goodbyes on Wednesday, Aug.17, 2016 at the Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway in Saratoga Springs; a Mass of Christian Burial followed. Burial was in the family plot at St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave. in Saratoga Springs. The family would like to thank Dr. Heather Madigan and the staff on D1 at Saratoga Hospital for all their care and compassion for Eugene. Donations may be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or the Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Online remembrances may be made at www. burkefuneralhome.com.
Edward McMahon SARATOGA SPRINGS — Edward Joseph McMahon of Adams Street died Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at Saratoga Hospital. He was 84 years old. Born in Saratoga Springs on February 11, 1932, he was the son of Carl L. and Mary Cogan McMahon. He married Alice Jean Chink on October 12, 1957. Edward graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1950. He then graduated Summa Cum Laude from Hobart College in 1953 and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated from Albany Law School in 1956 as Valedictorian. In August of 1956, he entered the United States Army, serving two years and was honorably discharged in 1958. He then joined his father’s law firm with his brother John; forming McMahon and McMahon Law on Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs. He stayed with the firm until he retired in 1996 and remained a member of the N.Y.S. Bar Association until his death. For decades, he hosted Labor Day parties at his home where he conducted many family sing-alongs and St. Patrick’s Day soirees at the Principessa Elena Society with corned beef and cabbage. Ed began his love of gardening at Schrade’s Greenhouses on Nelson Avenue as a young boy and this love continued throughout his life. He created many beautiful pieces of woodcraft, cabinetry and furniture. He was an avid sports fan,
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016 especially horseracing and the New York Yankees. Edward was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Alice, his three sisters, Jean Coseo, Mary Reuss and Margaret Markes, as well as his long-term companion Constance Farone. He is survived by two children, Karen (Robert) Brackett of Gansevoort and James (Elizabeth) McMahon of Gaithersburg, Maryland; two grandchildren Robert (Carly) Brackett and Caroline McKenzie McMahon, and one great-grandchild, Lucy Ann Brackett. He is also survived by his brother, John McMahon of Saratoga Springs; two sisters: Elizabeth McCarthy of Saratoga Springs and Kathryn Coons of Schuylerville. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Edward (Webster) was a champion of education his entire life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Skidmore Early Childhood Center, 815 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866, where Ed’s great-granddaughter, Lucy, will attend preschool this fall. Please make checks payable to Skidmore College and include in the memo Skidmore Early Childhood Center. The family would like to express their appreciation to the Emergency Department at Saratoga Hospital and the staff at A3. Friends and relatives paid their respects on Monday, Aug. 15, 2016 at the William J. Burke and Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. A funeral home service was conducted on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016; burial with military honors followed in the family plot at St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave. in Saratoga Springs. Online remembrances may be made at www. burkefueralhome.com.
James B. Potter Sr. SARATOGA SPRINGS — James B. Potter Sr., age 86, passed away on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at Saratoga Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 8, 1930 in Bucksport, Maine, the son of the late John Potter and
Pauline Leach Potter. James was an automobile mechanic for Marion Ave. Mobil for many years. He was an avid mechanic to many who knew him. There was nothing about repairing cars that James did not know. He was a loving, kind and caring person, always willing to help others. He enjoyed NASCAR and drag racing, his favorite driver was Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. James loved the outdoors; fishing and hunting were
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016 his passion. He was an avid reader and he enjoyed serving his country in the US Marine Corp. from July 1948 to July 1952. His lifetime of dedication and self-sacrifice serve as a monument to the exemplary man he was. His humility, integrity, and hard work continue to inspire those who knew him. James is survived by his sons: James Potter Jr. (Susan), John Potter (Janet), Byron Potter (Lori), daughters: Jamie Potter, Cherie Gailor (Dennis), Stephanie Potter (Ryan Robinson), brothers: Billie Potter (Kathy), Ronald Potter (Kathy), grandchildren: James Potter (Jennifer), Joseph Potter, Christopher Potter (Amy), Joshua Potter, Heinz Heise, Justin Staigar, Wilf Heise, Jeff Searchh, Jennifer Abare (Mark), Tara Hammond (James), Heidi Heise, Erika Bussing (Richard), Joy Kinney, Ariel Robinson, Adeline Robinson, 24 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Ruth, son, Jeffrey, sister, Alice and brother John. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2016 from 2 – 4 p.m. at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave. (Rte9 and/or Marion Ave.) in Saratoga Springs. Graveside service with military honors will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 22, 2016 at the Gerald B.H. Solomon, Saratoga National Cemetery 200 Duell Rd. in Schuylerville. If you wish to express your online condolences or view the Obituary, please visit our website at www. compassionatefuneralcare.com
George F. Miller SARATOGA SPRINGS — George F. Miller passed away on Friday, August 12, 2016 at the age of 77. Born in Saratoga Springs on July 3, 1939, he was the son of the late Rose (LaBelle) Miller and George Miller. He lived and worked in the area most of his life. George was a United States Marine and later joined the Saratoga Springs Police Dept., retiring after 20 years of distinguished service. During retirement, George was selfemployed and held contracts with the US Post Office through June of this year. He was an avid golfer, accomplishing an ultimate achievement with a holein-one at the Riviera Country Club in Florida on May 20, 2004. George was an active member of the Principessa Elena Society, Eagles, the Elks Club in Greenwich, and the ITAM Club which he was a past president. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wives Linda (Parillo) Miller and Nancy Senecal. Survivors include three daughters, Paula Strakos, Cheryl (Dale) Flowers and Ann (Terry) Carberry; his stepson, James Parillo; one brother Antony Townsend; ten grandchildren,
OBITUARIES 7 five great-grandchildren and his beloved partner, Terry Rourke. Relatives and friends gathered in his name on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016 at the William J. Burke and Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. A funeral home service was held on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Burial followed in the family plot at Beacon Hill Cemetery, Bacon Hill, NY. Online remembrances may be made at www. burkefuneralhome.com.
George F. Orton SARATOGA SPRINGS — George F. Orton, 76, passed away peacefully at Saratoga Hospital on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 with family by his side. Born April 4, 1940 in Corinth, he was the son of the late George F. and Edna Mae Wren Orton Sr. He was raised and lived his entire life in Saratoga Springs. As a young man, George served in the United States Navy. He later worked for the State of New York for the Parks Department and then the Department of Corrections as an Electrician. George also spent every summer working at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center from the time it opened until he became too ill to continue working. He loved working the concerts and especially loved the classical performances by the New York City Ballet. George loved spending time watching the birds in the feeders outside of his dining room windows, he loved spending time with his family, and he enjoyed going to Bingo on Wednesday night. In addition to his parents, George is predeceased by his son, Michael Orton and brother Thomas Orton. George is survived by his loving wife, Judith and his daughter, Mary Jane (Dennis) Plubell of Blue Springs, MO. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kristina (John) Bamberry, Maria Capone (Brandon Dolan), Robert Orton, Anna (Eric) Bright, Matthew (Lacey) Plubell, Brian (Michelle)
Plubell. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren Vanessa, Noah, Samantha, Shawn, Keith Jr., Devin, Riley, Lexi, Alexander, Bradley, Mercedes, Savannah, Cerien and Oliver. He also leaves behind his Basset Hound, Precious, who he loved dearly. George’s family would like to thank the Saratoga Springs Fire Department for wonderful care on the many occasions they took care of him, Saratoga Hospital Nursing Staff and Doctors for their exceptional care every time George was there, Dr. Daoui and the staff at the Rubin Dialysis Center. Relatives and friends gathered to remember him on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016 at the William J. Burke and Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. A funeral home service was conducted on Monday, Aug. 15, 2016; burial with military honors followed in the family plot at Maplewood Cemetery, Weibel Ave. and Louden Rd. in Saratoga Springs. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
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Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
Yo! It’s Time To Have When the Heat’s On, Another Beers! It’s Best to Chill
Take a look at this week’s newest club members!
Colin
Jimmy James
Noah
Ty
Tooth Fairy Club is sponsored by:
Nicole M. Byrne, D.M.D Pediatric Dentistry
659 Saratoga Road, Gansevoort, New York 12831 (518) 226-6010
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Here’s Alex showing how it’s done by sitting next to his Poppy’s Big Pumpkin as a great way of coping with our recent heat wave. Nicely done!
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Yes, we used a version of this headline before – but not since big brother Julian was about the same size as Beau Elizabeth Beers, who in this great Lisa Miller Studio diLuce pic is greeted by that aforementioned big brother. A hearty welcome to the neighborhood, Beau – and keep on growing, Julian!
Beau arrived in the neighborhood on August 15, checking in at 8 lbs., 15 oz. and stretched a mighty, mighty 19.5” long. Congrats to parents Rebecca and Brett Beers. The entire Beers family (dare we say a four-pack?) reside in Saratoga Springs. Congratulations to everyone!
Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra Mini Horse Look-Alikes Buzz Saratoga Race Course SARATOGA SPRINGS — Two miniature horses, Bunny and Bey, from Mini Maker Farm
(of Scout Road, Gansevoort, owned by Karen Miller), were invited to the Saratoga Race Course on Friday, August 12. This was part of the festivities for the “Belles of the Hall” Racing Hall of Fame Inductees, famous race fillies Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra.
Dressed in jockey attire are Ms. Miller and her friend, Susan Matthews of Wilton. Everyone had lots of fun, and hundreds of pictures were taken by fans of both Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra. Bunny and Bey loved the attention and pets from the fans of all ages!
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
American Pharoah Stud Halter Up For Bid TRF-PDJF fundraiser online auction open SARATOGA SPRINGS – On-line bids are now being accepted for unique items for racing fans to benefit the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). One is a halter worn by 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and another is a golf date with former jockey Richard “The Mig” Migliore at the first Tee-Off for TRF/PDJF golf outing at McGregor Links Country Club in Wilton. The tournament takes place on August 23, running from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. with a shotgun start at noon. At the outing, Hall of Fame jockeys John Velazquez, Angel Cordero Jr., Javier Castellano and Jacinto Vasquez, all members of Saratoga Race Course’s current jockey colony will attend. In addition, Irad Ortiz Jr., Jose Ortiz, Joel Rosario and Mike Luzzi will be among the golfers at Tee-Off for TRF/PDJF. Tickets are $225 per golfer, and include: golf, cart, tee-favors, breakfast, luncheon
and cocktail reception for golfers and a guest. Tickets are $50 to attend the luncheon and cocktail reception only. Richard Migliore is the official host of Tee-Off for TRF/PDJF. From now until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, bidders can vie for a chance to be part of Mig’s foursome at Tee-Off for TRF/PDJF. Two golfers will play the course with Mig and Blake Crocitto, co-owner of McGregor Links. The halter up for bid is American Pharoah’s stud halter from Ashford Stud, the headquarters for Coolmore America. The bid for American Pharoah’s halter at closing for the online auction will be the starting price when the silent auction resumes at Tee-Off for TRF/PDJF on August 23. Bidders and their proxies will have until 5:30 p.m. to submit all bids. To participate in the auction, go to www.biddingforgood.com/trfauction For more information, call Mary at the TRF, (518) 226-0028, ext 103; Nancy at the PDJF, (630) 234-6691, or visit www.trfinc.org/event/golf.
9
Shelter From the Storm SARATOGA SPRINGS — Buzz was doing his typical buzz thing on Saturday afternoon – spreading that good cheer to and fro in downtown Saratoga Springs. But then, our humidity enjoyment was enhanced by the opening of the skies along the lines of Hoover Dam bursting, leading to chaos, scrambling, and drenched flip-flops. Fortunately, the Bonacio’s erected Park Place – a perfect place to hang and look at the flood that was Broadway as it gracefully inclined down towards Congress Park, whilst staying bone dry. Buzz’s brilliant timing was enhanced by the arrival of young Sarah Richardson, enjoying her afternoon refreshments and giving instructions to strollerpushers Marielina and Kyle, who hail from DC Metro by way of Buffalo, and a special visitor from Venezuela – Ms.
Belkis Dominguez – who is the proud mother of this year’s Racing Hall of Fame inductee, Jockey Ramon! Sarah, being the precocious child that she is, led us all in a chorus of “It’s a Small World…”
before Buzz’s FEMA helicopter arrived to extract her so he could continue his tour of soggy 12866 flooding. No word at press time if frogs, locust, etc., are in our near future.
10
NEWS
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
Horse Sales Prevail Despite Severe Thunderstorms SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saturday’s inclement weather conditions may have postponed the second wave of horse sales at Fasig-Tipton in Saratoga Springs, but it didn’t stop them from being a whopping success on Sunday, August 14. 177 yearlings were sold for $13,672,500 at Sunday’s New York-bred sales. The highest bid of the auction was record-breaking, and came from Cheyenne Stables of Kentucky and Oklahoma at $450,000 for hip number 458, a colt sired by Uncle Mo, a stakes-winning racehorse that went undefeated in 2010 as a two-year-old. The purchase, cosigned by Joe McMahon of
Saratoga Thoroughbreds, was the highest that the New Yorkbred sales have ever seen. Coming in at a close second was leading horse trainer Linda Rice, who purchased hip number 385, a City Zip colt, for $375,000. She also bought a Mineshaft colt for $335,000, the third highest purchase of the night, along with six other yearlings for a total of $1.43 million. The average sales for Sunday’s seven-and-a-halfhour session came to $77,246, and the median came to $60,000. - Allison Capasso
$306,500 Raised for Saratoga Community Health Center
The 34th Annual Summer Gala Committee. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital’s 34th Annual Summer Gala raised $306,500 for Saratoga Community Health Center. The event’s attendance was a recordbreaking 1,067 people. Held August 3 at the Polo Meadow on the grounds of Saratoga Casino Hotel, the annual event is a major source of support for the Saratoga Community
Health Center, the hospitalowned facility in downtown Saratoga Springs that provides primary care, dental, behavioral health, and diabetic eye care services for patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Each year, nearly 100 volunteers help organize and staff the event, managed by the Saratoga Hospital Foundation,
the philanthropic arm of Saratoga Hospital. More than 320 individuals and organizations donate auction items and provide underwriting support. For more information about the Saratoga Community Health Center, visit saratogacommunityhealthcenter. org, and for more information about the Saratoga Hospital Foundation, visit saratogahospitalfoundation.org.
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
OP/ED LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
11
Mayor Should Not Pay A response is in order regarding two letters to the editor that appeared in last week’s Saratoga TODAY [August 12 edition]. Both letters focused on Mayor Yepsen and her most recent controversies. John Herrick, who is finishing his term as Saratoga County Republican Chairman, stated that Mayor Yepsen should resign because of her ‘ethics violations and failure to put Saratoga Springs residents
first’. While I agree, as does the City Ethics Board, that Mayor Yepsen has made some serious mistakes regarding her interactions with the Saratoga Hospital Foundation during the time that Saratoga Hospital was appearing before the City and seeking her affirmative vote on a zoning issue and that the Mayor should have come before the City Council before hiring an outside law firm to defend her during the related Ethics Board hearings, I do not
Untangling Untruths
I am writing in response to a letter published on August 12 in Saratoga TODAY by former Mayor Ken Klotz regarding Mayor Yepsen and her behavior in the Saratoga Hospital matter. Mayor Klotz misstated the facts in his Op/Ed piece in his zeal to continue to defend his good friend Mayor Yepsen, and errs in several important, documented, and to date – undisputed timeline facts. Mayor Klotz claims that Yepsen merely informed the Hospital of her “continued availability to pursue her routine professional activity,” “in a casual, informal, off-the-cuff setting.” The fact pattern and timeline say otherwise (visit http://saratogatodaynewspaper.com/images/ stories/archive/2016/email/document1.pdf). In October 2015, Mayor Yepsen scheduled a meeting with the Hospital to solicit engagement as a grant writer, and over a period of months sent several follow-up emails pursuing a contract with them. This is neither informal nor off-the-cuff, and is a bit more proactive than merely informing the Hospital that she still performed such work. Mayor Klotz then goes on
to claim that both the Mayor and Hospital jointly agreed that these “informal” discussions should be ended due to the appearance of impropriety. Again, a look at the actual facts, which are available to all interested parties, shows that on January 14, Mayor Yepsen sent an e-mail to the Hospital inquiring as to the status of their “negotiations,” and later that day she received a response saying that due to the potential for an appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest, the Hospital was not comfortable doing business with her while she is in office. Yepsen responded the following morning that she had already consulted her “legal team” had “gone through the proper channels” to “ensure the highest integrity and transparency” and that she was “eager to get started.” The Hospital responded again that, notwithstanding her assurances, they were not interested in engaging her services. Four days later the Mayor recused herself from a vote on the Hospital’s PUD amendment application, falsely claiming that she was involved in ongoing negotiations with them. Furthermore, in a February 19 meeting with myself, my Deputy, and the two City attorneys – a full 5 weeks after the Hospital had explicitly refused her solicitations – the Mayor said that she had reached agreement to perform work for the Hospital, that they were finalizing the contract, and that that is why she approached the Ethics Board and recused herself from the PUD vote. It is troubling that the former
Mayor would so badly misstate facts and then claim that I and my fellow Commissioners, in our efforts to untangle the web of untruths spun by Mayor Yepsen to determine the true nature and extent of what transpired between the Mayor and Saratoga Hospital, are somehow harassing and bullying her. So, according to Ken Klotz, refusing to be lied to is a form of harassment. I, too, encourage those interested in the truth to view the full videos of our Council meetings. The facts are clear. Michele Madigan Commissioner of Finance Saratoga Springs
believe that the Mayor should resign. She is a duly elected member of the City Council who has, to the best of my knowledge, broken no laws. As far as the $12,430 expenditure that City taxpayers will incur to pay the Mayor’s lawyers, I agree that our citizens should be angry with the Mayor, Commissioner Franck and me, the three Council members who voted in favor of paying these fees. Despite my feeling that the Mayor should have come before the Council before hiring an outside attorney if she was expecting the City to pay for her expenses, I do not believe that City Council members, all of whom are grossly undercompensated for their services to the City, should have to pay out of pocket for legal fees related to their official duties. While I agree that, in this instance, the definition of official duties is murky at best, the solution is to make sure that such a scenario never takes place again. The City must create easily discernible guidelines for hiring of and paying for outside legal resources. Former Mayor Klotz wrote about the many groups and organizations that Mayor Yepsen has supported through the years. He is absolutely right about that. However, he goes on to disagree with the Ethics Board decision regarding the Mayor’s activities with the Saratoga Hospital Foundation. It is hard for
me to imagine former Mayor Klotz or any other current or former City official negotiating a private business arrangement with an entity that was an integral part of an organization seeking their vote without realizing the stark conflict of interest. Former Mayor Klotz goes on to complain of other Council members mercilessly harassing and bullying the Mayor. I have received emails from Mr. Klotz in the past complaining that I was mistreating the Mayor when disagreements surfaced at the Council table. While I am envious of the unwavering support that Joanne Yepsen seems to enjoy as evidenced by the frequent comments of Mr. Klotz and a small number of others, I do not believe that I have ever bullied or harassed her. There have been a number of significant issues raised while Joanne Yepsen has been mayor that have resulted in our disagreements. I continue to work for what I feel is best for the Saratoga Springs community and I hope that Mayor Yepsen, my fellow Democrat, can learn from her mistakes and divorce herself from certain special interests. Former Mayor Klotz concluded his letter by urging Saratogians to view recordings of City Council meetings. On this, we agree. Chris Mathiesen Commissioner of Public Safety Saratoga Springs
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NEWS
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
Undersheriff Castle on 21st Century Policing
Horse Show Raises $61,521
Continued from front page.
had very different questions, but we found we all had concerns in common.” In a national landscape of concerns about the safety of communities and of police officers in the line of duty, the Task Force on 21st Century Policing was organized by President Obama this past December to study law enforcement policies and procedures across the country and to recommend changes necessary to improve community relations, officer safety and overall effectiveness. The report recommendations are organized around six main pillars: Building Trust and Legitimacy, Policy and Oversight, Technology and Social Media, Community Policing and Crime Reduction, Officer Training and Education, and Officer Safety and Wellness. “This was a phenomenal opportunity for our County to be selected to participate in this discussion at the National level and I am pleased to see that many of our efforts and initiatives over the past three years
have been in line with recommendations of the Task Force,” said Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo. “ Over the next year, Undersheriff Castle will oversee a comprehensive review and update of our policies and procedures to ensure that recommendations of the Task Force are addressed and incorporated where appropriate.” Castle added that the Task Force’s report would be used as a model and point of reference, but that nothing in the report is mandatory. “But in the event of an incident,” said Castle, “the Department of Justice would look to see what steps we’ve taken. We feel very comfortable that we are on the right track and have, at least in part, addressed every one of the key pillars.” Castle said the department wants to continue to work on community relations. “Sheriff Zurlo has made a really big push on that, and it is in line with the technology and social media pillar,” said Castle. “One of our big takeaways is how valuable that is. If you don’t already have a strong social media system in place, it makes it that much harder when an
issue arises.” Castle has already been working on converting policies and procedures into a digital application, so officers can access them in real time through an app. “This is especially important when they come across something they may not run into every day,” said Castle. Officers will be able to access what procedure should be followed right at their fingertips, he said. Another pillar the county is taking a closer look at is officer wellness. “We come in, do our job, and go home,” said Castle, “but now we’re looking at longevity, such as nutrition consulting for officers doing 24 hour shifts, things we’ve never had policies on before.” At the White House meeting, Castle said he repeatedly heard from participants that “the recommendations are all great, but who is going to pay for them?” According to Castle, Saratoga County often does not qualify for grants because it doesn’t have a high enough crime rate. “The Task Force’s report is proactive, but all the grant money is reactive,” said Castle. The report’s officer training recommendation is one example. “We can’t keep pulling cops off the street to take these classes – some are 40 hour trainings. Someone has to do the police work,” said Castle. “To do both, that costs money.” Undersheriff Castle has served the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office as a road patrol deputy, sergeant, lieutenant, Chief, and Undersheriff. Undersheriff Castle is an FAA certified commercial pilot and a past officer with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. For more information about Castle or the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, visit www. saratogacountysheriff.org or www. facebook.com/saratogacountysheriff. The 21st Century Policing Final Report can be found at http://cops.usdoj.gov/ policingtaskforce.
Photo by Glen Burgess, ESI Photography.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Tom Fueston, president of the Capital Fund of Saratoga County Inc. (CFSC), has announced the charities that will receive donations from the profits of the 2016 Saratoga Springs Horse Show. Of the nominated groups, 36 will receive donations ranging from $500 up to $4,700 for a total support of $61,521. The amount a group receives is based on the voting of the volunteers that come to support the horse show each year. 2016 Saratoga Springs Horse Show Recipients AIM Services, Inc. B.E.S.T. (Backstretch Workers) ‐ Saratoga Captain Youth and Family Services Catholic Charities ‐ Mary’s Haven Christ Church Food Pantry, Ballston Spa Code Blue ‐ Saratoga Community Hospice ‐ Saratoga Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) ‐ 4H Programs ECHO Food Pantry ‐ Rock City Falls / Greenfield First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa ‐ Christ Cupboard Food Pantry The Church Mouse Nursery School ‐ Carol Pritchard Scholastic Fund ‐ FBC First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa ‐ Summer Lunch Program Franklin Community Center Gateway House ‐ Ballston Spa
Guardian House (Female Vets) of Saratoga County (Saratoga County RPC) Kelly’s Angels ‐ Saratoga County Nipper Knolls Therapeutic Riding Program ‐ Gansevoort Operation Adopt a Soldier Rebuilding Together Saratoga County Saratoga Bridges Saratoga Center for the Family Saratoga Central Catholic School Scholastic Fund Saratoga County EOC Food Pantries Saratoga Salvation Army Saratoga War Horse Project Shelters of Saratoga (SOS) ‐ Case managed shelter Shelters of Saratoga (SOS) ‐ Outreach Program Shelters of Saratoga (SOS) ‐ Drop‐in Center SnacPack Program ‐ Saratoga St. Clement’s Saratoga Food Pantry St. Clement’s Saratoga Outreach St. Clement’s Regional Catholic School Scholastic Fund St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Saratoga ‐Food St. Peter’s Church Needy Association ‐ Saratoga Vet House (Men) of Saratoga County (Saratoga County RPC Wellspring ‐ (Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
NEWS 13
Sneak Peek! New Donation Boxes to Hit the Streets of Saratoga Springs by Allison Capasso for Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — Some colorful donation boxes will be coming soon around downtown Saratoga Springs to raise funds for Shelters of Saratoga. Harvey Fox, owner of n. Fox Jewelers and Chairman of the Special Assessment Board, along with Vice Chairman Tom Roohan and board member Mike Ingersol, sparked the idea earlier this year. Fox made note of the drop boxes like these in different communities throughout his travels and thought they would be beneficial to the Saratoga Springs community. “The business community recognizes the issue of homelessness and vagrancy, and we wanted to be proactive,” Fox told me. “There are no administrative costs. 100 percent of the money is going to those who need help. We’re not trying to cover up anything. We’re trying to give people hope.” “There will be 12 boxes, and they’ll be strategically placed in downtown Saratoga,” said Mike Finocchi, executive director of Shelters of Saratoga. The boxes will remain within the borders of the Special Assessment District, which runs from the Holiday Inn to the Saratoga Springs City Center, and one block east and west of Broadway. The boxes started to appear on the sidewalks following Tuesday’s City Council
meeting. “The sooner they get installed, the more money will be generated,” said Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. After the boxes are out on the street and people start donating, the Chamber of Commerce will collect the money, and the Special Assessment Board will put the money into work, according to Harvey Fox. The whole project has been a collaborative effort between all different parts of the Saratoga Springs community. “The Department of Public Works has been very involved, as well as the Department of Public Safety. The mayor was also very helpful,” said Fox. The DPW recently did a walkthrough to determine where the boxes would be placed. The most impressive part about all of this? The private donations. The project has received around $20,000 in private checks from various different donors, according to Fox. Donors include Roohan Realty, who has been housing the finished boxes while waiting for city approval, the L.A. Group, n. Fox Jewelers, Saratoga Arms, Adirondack Trust, Impressions of Saratoga, Saratoga Hospital, and Upstate Auto Body Works, who donated around $2,000 of provided material to help protect the boxes from things like graffiti. “It’s amazing how successful it’s been,” said Fox about the generous private donations. Part of the boxes’ appeal
is their colorful and creative designs. The artwork on the boxes was designed by 12 different local artists from the Saratoga Arts Center, according to Mike Finocchi. The designs range from hamburgers to autumn leaves to galaxy prints, as shown in the
provided photos. The boxes are hoped to be a success; however, they won’t be fully sure until they’re out on the streets. “It’s yet to be determined. They’ve done well in some cities,” said Mike Finocchi. “There have been many success stories,” said Fox.
On Tuesday, August 16, The Saratoga Springs City Council took action to further the progress on this issue, including the beginning of placement of the donation boxes. See Tom Dimopoulos’ story on page 15.
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NEWS
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
County and City to DOT: Don’t Close Bridge by Maureen Werther Saratoga TODAY BALLSTON SPA – On Tuesday, August 16, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to approve a resolution to send a formal letter to the New York State Department of Transportation, voicing their strong opposition to the DOT’s proposed closure of the Nelson Avenue Extension bridge in Malta. Prior to the resolution being read by the clerk, Suzanne Balet-Haight spoke during the three-minute public statements portion of the meeting. She is the organizer of the residents’ petition to stop the bridge closure, and she repeated the petition’s arguments to the Board.
Balet-Haight is also the owner of Balet Flowers and Design LLC, located at 5041 Nelson Avenue Extension in Malta, and just one of many small businesses, farms and residents who would be adversely impacted by the removal of the bridge. She reiterated some of the reasons covered in the petition, talking about the bridge’s importance to the community, both economically and from a safety standpoint. She mentioned that the alternate route along Kaydeross Road was narrow, windy and generally unsafe for automobiles, bicyclists, and pedestrians, and that it cannot support any additional traffic other than the local traffic already using that route. Balet-Haight also mentioned the potentially
disastrous effect the closure would have on emergency responders’ abilities to get to the scene of an accident, fire or other emergency event on the east side of the Northway. At the close of her allotted three minutes, Arthur “Mo” Wright, Chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, stated that a resolution to oppose the bridge removal was already on the meeting agenda, adding, “The Board is behind you on this issue.” Resolution Number 194 was read toward the close of the meeting and stated that the Board “Strongly opposes the removal and non-replacement” of the Nelson Avenue Extension bridge, urging the
DOT to replace the Nelson Avenue Bridge and to “pursue any and all available options” to find funding to cover the replacement and future maintenance of the bridge. The resolution passed unanimously. After the meeting was adjourned, Balet-Haight said that she was “so happy the Board has taken this huge step,” calling it a sign to the DOT that, “this issue is important to the entire community.” In a statement made following the meeting, Saratoga Springs Supervisor Matthew Veitch said he was ”pleased that my fellow Supervisors were willing to support this resolution, as the bridge is not just important for our City and the Town of Malta, but for our
entire County.” Later that same evening, the Saratoga Springs City Council held a resolution vote of its own, similar to the County’s resolution, and it, too, passed unanimously. In response to a request to comment about the issue, Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne Yepsen stated that, “When hundreds of residents express concern for economic development, transportation and quality of life reasons, it’s important that legislative bodies stand up and take action.” Following the vote, Yepsen added, “I’m looking forward to presenting the resolutions and the City’s perspective to DOT later this week.”
2016 Travers Selling Out
Grandstand Available; Attendance Capped at 50K SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced that all reserved seats, dining and hospitality are sold out for the 147th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, August 27.
Paid attendance for the 2016 edition of the Travers will be capped at 50,000, as had been the case in 2015, in an effort to provide the best experience possible for guests. Saratoga season pass holders are guaranteed admission on Travers Day. General admission grandstand tickets are currently available for purchase for $10, as well as an extremely limited inventory of general admission clubhouse tickets for $20. Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster. com, in-person at the NYRA Box Office at Saratoga Race Course, or by phone at 1-844-NYRA-TIX. There is a purchase limit of 8 general admission tickets per person. Clubhouse upgrades will not be available on Travers Day. The Travers is expected to feature the winners of two-thirds of the Triple Crown series: Exaggerator who captured the Preakness Stakes and Creator, the winner of the Belmont Stakes. It is also likely to include the top three finishers in the Jim Dandy, the traditional prep for the Travers: Laoban, Governor Malibu and Destin. Haskell runnerup American Freedom, conditioned by Triple Crown winning trainer Bob Baffert, and Louisiana Derby winner Gun Runner are among the 22 three-year-olds who have been nominated to the 147th running of the Travers Stakes.
This year’s Travers Day will feature five other Grade 1 stakes: the $1 million Longines Sword Dancer Invitational at 1 ½ miles on the turf, the $500,000 Ballerina for filly and mare sprinters, the $700,000 Priority One Jets Forego at seven furlongs, the $750,000 Ketel One King’s Bishop and the $750,000 Personal Ensign for fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles. Rounding out the blockbuster card is the Grade 2, $400,000 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa for turf fillies and mares. All patrons are subject to enhanced screening upon entering the grounds and will not be permitted to run once inside the property for their safety. This policy will be strictly enforced. There is a strict limit of one table per person that may be reserved in the backyard. Re-selling of picnic tables is not allowed and will result in expulsion from track grounds. Fans planning to attend the Travers can review a full list of prohibited and permitted items at NYRA.com. No storage will be provided for patrons arriving or attempting to enter the venue with prohibited items. Travers weekend will officially kick off on Friday, August 26. Gates open at 7 a.m. with a special first post time of 11:35 a.m. For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
NEWS 15
Saratoga Springs Budget Top Ten by Thomas Dimopoulos for Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Tuesday, August 16, the City Council held the first of two public hearings regarding the 2017 Capital Budget, which features approximately two dozen projects and carries a proposed cost in excess of $7 million. A full presentation will be staged at the next council meeting, on September 6. The Top Ten projects, as noted by the council, are as follows: 1. Public Safety Department Emergency Services Dispatch Renovation. Cost: $1.056 million. Upgrades outdated communications infrastructure to match Saratoga County, state Office of Emergency Services and Department of Homeland Security communication standards, and corrects existing communication “dead zones” in City Hall and in the downtown area. 2. Water Treatment Plan Security System. Cost: $77,000. Hardening of entry doors and fencing around secure areas. 3. Security Systems Infrastructure. Cost: $39,566. Adds security infrastructure at Congress Park – specifically at the carousel and at the Spirit of Life statue area – and addresses technology infrastructure needs at the Woodlawn Avenue parking garage. 4. Pedestrian Safety Improvement. Cost: $523,000. Provides a detailed analysis of traffic study improvements at hazardous intersections. Potential improvements include pedestrian crosswalks, street widths and motor vehicle speed projects. 5. Aerial Bucket Truck Replacement. Cost: $150,000. 6. Dump Truck Replacement. Cost: $110,000. 7. Greenbelt Trail Downtown Connector. Project Cost: $ 2.26 million. Incorporates pedestrian-friendly components at existing transportation corridors and supports the city’s Complete Streets planning efforts. 8. Ice Rehabilitation. Cost: $24,000. Roof and floor repair, and sprinkler system compliance. 9. Finance Office Renovation. Cost: $749,104. Design renovation of finance office and addressing structural flooring issues as well as asbestos remediation. 10. Eastside Basketball Court Resurfacing. Cost: $55,000. The City Council Tuesday
unanimously approved a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the city and the firefighter’s union. The five-year plan – which covers a period from Jan. 1, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2018 – stipulates a 2.5 percent retroactive wage increase in 2014, and an additional 2 percent annual increase for the remaining four years. Those increases translate to $586,000 in total wage increases for the period of 2014 to 2016, and a projected estimate increase of about $390,000 and $488,000 in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The agreement marks the conclusion of the seventh and final city employee contract since Mayor Joanne Yepsen took office in January 2014. As part of the agreement, firefighters will personally pay higher cost premiums for health insurance, which will offset some of the incurred costs resulting from the wage increases, the mayor said. A drug and alcohol policy will also be implemented. “Two percent is a reasonable wage increase, but I do believe we should have the discussion that as long as New York State imposes a 2 percent tax cap on us, these are not sustainable wage increases - unless we add another revenue source that helps supplement the budget,” said Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan. Public Safety Commissioner
Chris Mathiesen added that while the firefighter agreement is consistent with other city employee contracts approved in the past, he would in the future like the council to revisit starting salaries for firefighters, which at $33,000 annually, is too low, he argued. Mathiesen also hosted a swearing-in ceremony Tuesday for new and recently promoted firefighters. [See story page 3 of this issue.] The City Council unanimously approved the acceptance of three donations to the Downtown Special Assessment District to build “Drop Boxes,” to aid those in need. [See story on page 13 of this issue.] Additional city business included: City Supervisor Matthew Veitch said a free concert to honor U.S. military veterans will be staged at 2 p.m. on Monday, September 5 at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The concert features Navy Band Northeast and the Rhode Island Sound. Free tickets are available at Stewart’s Shops and at municipal halls throughout Saratoga County. Yepsen announced a “City Share Program” between Saratoga Springs and Burlington, Vermont is underway. One of the goals of the program is to provide open communications between communities. Officials from Saratoga Springs visited Burlington in June, and Vermont representatives
are currently visiting the Spa City. Madigan reported the finance department is currently compiling annual budget requests received from city departments and that the current requests are approximately 10 percent higher – or about $4.4 million higher – than the current budget. The City Council unanimously approved a resolution requesting the
state Department of Transportation re-think its preliminary plans to close the Nelson Avenue Extension Bridge, and instead consider replacing it. [See story on page 14.] City officials say the bridge closure would negatively impact residents. The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors and the Malta Town Board previously adopted similar resolutions.
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NEWS
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
City Explores Sustainable Saratoga Housing Proposal by Thomas Dimopoulos for Saratoga TODAY
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A decade-old proposal that supporters say would assure the implementation of affordable housing strategies
across Saratoga Springs is being dusted off and re-visited by the city. The City Council on Tuesday unanimously agreed to send the
plan to both the city and county planning boards to gauge whether the proposal has merit for further review. The proposal, which was initiated in 2006 and currently counts Sustainable Saratoga as an advocate, would require new development projects in all districts across Saratoga Springs to include a proportion of housing units be made affordable to residents with lower to middle incomes. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines “affordable housing” as housing for which occupants pay no more than 30 percent of their income for gross housing costs, including utilities. According to the 2010-14 American Community Survey Report of the U.S. Census Bureau, one-third of residents in the city of Saratoga Springs are paying more than that 30 percent of income guideline. Of those residents, about 24 percent are homeowners, and 44 percent are renters. According to Sustainable Saratoga, more than 20 local agencies provide housing opportunities for low-income households and special needs populations, but not nearly as much is being done for middle-income groups. Typically, law enforcement, teachers, nurses, firefighters and other public-service personnel fall in the middle-income group, as well as business entrepreneurs, among others. According to the Saratoga Springs City Police Department, the residency requirement was lifted, in part, because the cost of housing within city limits was not affordable to new officers. Sustainable Saratoga estimates the council’s adoption of such an ordinance – which could take place before the end of the calendar year – would result in the construction of 20 to 30 new units of affordable housing annually. The 2006 inclusionary zoning proposal was drafted in the wake of a year’s worth of committee meetings, but never made it to the City Council table for a vote. The proposal has its detractors. “It was so strongly rejected by the public, it didn’t even come to the council for a vote,” local resident Bonnie Sellers told the council during Tuesday night’s public
comment period. The proposal would result in more building density, the need to increase staff at City Hall and subsequent associated costs, and the potential for higher taxes, Sellers argued. City resident Dave Morris, an affordable housing advocate and a host of the Facebook group “Saratogians for Sustainable Housing” is also opposed to the proposal. While the plan stipulates developers would receive a density bonus - or a right to build additional units on the same site to offset costs incurred by providing affordable units - Morris said current city zoning laws and building-height restrictions offer no such opportunity for builders. “The problem is in the numbers. Developers are not going to take jobs where they lose money. If they’re going to lose money, they’ll just go somewhere else. The numbers don’t work,” Morris said. The area median income for a family of four in Saratoga County is $82,000, according to HUD. It is not currently known what the income limit requirements would be should the ordinance be locally adopted. HUD estimates define “lowincome” provisions as 80 percent of the median family income for the area, or $65,000 earned income for a family of four in Saratoga. More than 400 communities in 17 states currently have some kind of Inclusionary Zoning in place. Regarding the Saratoga Springs plan, a study is being conducted by GAR Associates, of Amherst, and is expected to provide updated data regarding the proposal when completed in late September. The potential ordinance would apply to both rental and owner-occupied housing and current city residents would have first opportunity to apply for affordable housing units. “I think we are obviously going to look at this closely,” city Mayor Joanne Yepsen said Tuesday. “This is hopefully going to be a partnership when it’s all said and done. I’d like to see it benefitting the builders and developers through various incentives. I think it would be very refreshing to have developers partner with the city as we move forward with the specific language of this proposal.”
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
NEWS 17
Elizabeth Sobol: SPAC’s New President & CEO Continued from front page.
“We are excited to welcome Elizabeth Sobol as SPAC’s next President and CEO,” said Susan Phillips Read, Chairman of SPAC’s Board of Directors. “Elizabeth is a seasoned executive whose artistic and musical interests and experience range from straightforward classical to pop, jazz, world music and dance. All of this makes her an ideal fit for SPAC, with its eclectic mix of programming. As SPAC concludes its 50th anniversary season, the Board was struck by Elizabeth’s imagination and vision for expanding SPAC’s future reach and audiences.” “I am delighted to join the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, a vital artistic institution that is clearly cherished by its enthusiastic and curious audiences,” said Sobol, “and many of the artists I’ve worked with over the years have enjoyed performing on the SPAC stage. I am looking forward to deepening SPAC’s artistic partnerships with the Philadelphia Orchestra, New York City Ballet, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and Live Nation to curate SPAC’s signature blend of programming. I have really fallen in love with the culture and ethos that is in abundance in Saratoga Springs and look forward to being a part of and contributing to this community.” During Sobol’s nearly three-decade tenure at IMG Artists, she nurtured the careers of some of the music world’s most respected artists including violinist Joshua Bell. Bell writes, “I have worked with Elizabeth Sobol in many capacities over the past thirty years and believe she is one of the true gems in our industry. She has a tremendous ear for great music, matched by a heart filled with passion and a commitment to bringing out the best in every artist she works with and project she touches. I have no doubt she will bring that enthusiasm and commitment to SPAC.” “As SPAC’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
comes to a close, I am thrilled to pass the baton to Elizabeth Sobol,” said Marcia J. White, President and Executive Director of SPAC. “Her proven record as an arts manager and her passion for the arts are testaments to the leadership and inspiration that she will bring to our exceptional venue. I wish her great success and will be cheering her on in the years to come.” Before coming to SPAC, Sobol most recently served as President and CEO of Universal Music Classics (UMC) where she successfully ran the American home for the prestigious Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Mercury Classics and ECM imprints, along with the revitalized UMC label, which Sobol oversaw from Universal’s New York headquarters. Sobol’s vision for the label included a commitment to the best that “classics” stands for: music rooted in the classical tradition, while also encompassing a variety of genres including contemporary, jazz, and world and a focus on US-based artists and repertoire that represented diverse genres. UMC’s unparalleled release schedule included artists as diverse and compelling as Andrea Bocelli, Renée Fleming, Rufus Wainwright, Itzhak Perlman, Hilary Hahn, Evgeny Kissin, Sting, Tori Amos, Keith Jarrett, Anoushka Shankar, Black Violin, Time for Three, Snarky Puppy and the Hot Sardines. Soon after joining UMC, Sobol led the company to the #1 spot on Billboard’s Classical Traditional Label chart in 2014 and 2015. As Managing Director of IMG Artists North/South America (IMGA), Sobol was widely considered one of the most well-respected and creative artist managers in the business, overseeing a roster of artists including Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Renée Fleming, Emerson String Quartet, James Galway, Evgeny Kissin, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and KODO. Sobol created the IMG Artists Dance Division, which grew into the most
prestigious roster of dance clients in the industry, representing the Bolshoi Ballet, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Pilobolus, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Lyon Opera Ballet and Miami City Ballet. Sobol also created and oversaw IMGA’s initiatives and growth in the areas of world music, jazz, contemporary music and music/ dance theatricals. From 2006-12, Sobol was programmer and producer of the Festival of the Arts BOCA, which included many of IMGA’s premier clients, as well as cultural figures such as Salman Rushdie,
Edward Albee, David Brooks and Doris Kearns Goodwin. In the recording sphere, Sobol has been Executive Producer of numerous albums, three of which have garnered Grammy nominations. Sobol, a current resident of Miami Beach, Florida, studied at Sarah Lawrence College and the Rotterdam Conservatory. She received her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the North Carolina School of the Arts. Since its opening 50 years ago, The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) has been recognized as a vital cultural hub of upstate New York, the
Hudson Valley, Vermont, the Berkshires, Connecticut and nearby Canada. Chosen by readers of USA Today in 2015 as the nation’s #1 “Best Outdoor Music Venue,” SPAC’s gorgeous amphitheater and lawn in the heart of Spa State Park make it a favorite destination for artists ranging from the New York City Ballet to Dave Matthews, from the Philadelphia Orchestra to Phish and from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center to the Northeast’s hottest jazz festival. For more information on SPAC and all upcoming events, visit spac.org
18 BALLSTON SPA 2 McCrea Hill Road $328,728.27. MXMAC LLC sold property to CTI Properties 2 McCrea Hill Road $232,432.98. MXMAC LLC sold property to LKS Realty Corp
CHARLTON 4163 Jockey Street, $274,000. Arnold and Holly Arras sold property to Ceaser and Jean Singleton
CLIFTON PARK 72 Tallow Wood Drive, $172,500. Deborah Tallman sold property to Pamela Dudoff 49 Gretel Terrace, $265,000. Robert and Mary Curley sold property to Michael and Amy Pelc 36 Dorsman, $360,000. John and Karen Mahar sold property to Andrew and Lauren Cole Lot #4 Vanvranken Rd. $10,000. Karen Donohue and James and Virginia Vanvranken sold property to Paul Pipino JR. 21 Bridlewood Loop, $811,701. Regatta View LLC and Bridlewood Ridge DBA
PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS sold property to Leonardus Ammerlaan 11B Woodbine Dr., $199,000. Mark and Michelle Soroka sold property to Rebecca Lyke 10 Panarama Court, $310,000. James and Katherine Staalesen sold property to Richard and June Antonio 69 Dubois Lane, $246,000. Ronald Parchment and Ann Marie Prahar sold property to Diane and Robert Haroutunian 26 Barkwood Lane, $192,095. Mathew Vazhappilly sold property to Nickolay Gilman and Samantha Seim 90 Robinwood Dr., $435,000. Maxwell and Lois Lippitt sold property to Robert and Holly Urban 1 Merion Ave., $266,900. Richard and Sherri Brescher sold property to Andrew and Jennie Wager 49 Blue Spruce Lane, $270,000. Sandra Petronis sold property to Melissa and Breton Reed 55 Wheeler Drive, $262,000. Paul and Bernadette Luciano sold property to Sujan Thandi and Tina Ryder 23 Tamarack Lane, $270,000. GRSW Stewart Real Estate sold property to Philippe
Langlois and Lauren Anuszewski 23 Tamarack Lane, $265,000. Andrew Smith and Sarah Dakin sold property to GRSW Stewart Real Estate
CORINTH 5 Oak Street, $98,871.51. Claudia Braymer and Raymond Procter sold property to Nationstar Mortgage
GALWAY Hermance Rd., $32,000. Shirley Niles sold property to John Mechanick
HALFMOON 49 Mann BLVD., $420,000. Gregory and Pamela Dudoff sold property to Deva Chan and Kent Butz 26 Captain Blvd., $215,000. Dolce Vino LLC and Michael Dicrescenzo sold property to Prorsus Real Estate 12 Cambridge Dr., $259,900. Eric and Amy Killoran sold property to Peter and Parishma Gonzalez 34 Sheldon Dr., $355,000. Kriston Yetto and James Kaylor sold property to Richard Adler and Teresa Wuerdeman 33 Farm to Market Road, $1,250,000. Farm Leggett sold
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
property to Estate Paar 22 Hidden Farm Road, $490,000. Andrew and Melissa Leach sold property to Cartus Financial Corp. 22 Hidden Farm Road, $490,000. Cartus Financial Corp. Sold property to Yeop Kook 22 Pruyn Hill Road, $187,000. Richard Miller sold property to Barbara Leighton 11 Stuart Drive, $455,000. Russell and Cynthia Teplitzky sold property to Chockalingam Subramaniam and Umayal Avichi
MALTA 1198 Laurel Lane, $130,000. Fannie Mae sold property to Leigh McConchie 34 Willis Way, $227,000. David and Amy Kwiat sold property to Mark and Elizabeth Kwiat 14 Covel Ave., $341,000. Capital Community Federal Credit Union sold property to Cynthia Vanwky 76 Wineberry Lane, $262,650. John and Stacey McVeigh sold property to Graeme and Celia Dinneen
MECHANICVILLE William St., $6,250. City of Mechanicville sold property to Capital District Venture LLC 414 Grand St., $60,000. Filomena and John Wallace sold property to Deborah and John Stewart
MILTON 9 Old Mill Court, $385,000. Michele Robinson sold
property to Brad and Alaina Fersch 102 Citation Way, $408,000. Michael and Kathleen Rowland sold property to Gray Denise and Shannon Istad 120 White Road, $157,000. Kenneth and Janice Jagodowski sold property to Jason Gocha 1135 Middle Line Road, $285,000. Charles and Lorraine Sherman sold property to Robert Israel and Monna Bender Zuckerman 208 Falsetto Court, $367,000. Michael and Cheryl Grugan sold property to Kevin and Karen Cox 434 Sodeman Rd., $300,000. Sara and William Gaba sold property to AMC Realty 326 Stone Church Rd., $64,500. Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. sold property to Khris Clemens 2009 and 2017 Barrett Road, $420,000. Viola McCarthy and Elizabeth Faklaris and David and George Wiederkehr sold property to John Mahony 621 Sunny Lane, $196,500. Mary Barber sold property to Thomas and Sarah Docherty
MOREAU 601 Gansevoort Road, $183,900. Michael and Beverly Karpinski sold property to Melanie Haynes and Gray Johnson 138 Hudson Street, $90,000. Alberta Wells sold property to Franciszek Sprycha 1492 West River RD., $89,000. Thomas and Eva Brown sold property to Gardner Congdon
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016 1663 Route 9, $80,000. Judith and Adolph Valente sold property to Mark Reynolds
PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
STILLWATER
WILTON
431 Hudson Ave., $140,500. Mathew Campbell sold property to Morgan Mehan
15 Farmington Ave., $185,500. Gina and Jamie Wallace sold property to Ryan Raymonda
217 Little Oak Terrace, $196,500. Allan Picket sold property to Joan Trombini and William Obriskie
8 Morgan Court, $310,885. Camelot Associates Corp. sold property to Steven and Tia Nunziato
28 Rolling Hill Dr., $285,000. David Carey sold property to David and Paula Huth
14 Steven Court, $221,550. Erick and Nina Moser sold property to Sean Jones
8 Morgan Court, $80,000. Camelot Associates Development sold property to Camelot Associates Corp.
NORTHUMERLAND
63 Gurn Spring Road, $247,500. Paul and Chelsea Skarka sold property to Marina Wilson
SARATOGA 12 Brock Drive, $95,000. Alfred Parella sold property to Dawn and Corina Zarrillo
SARATOGA SPRINGS 18 Collins Terrace, $300,000. Roger and Nina Laurin sold property to James and Yan Liu Densmore 18 Tait Lane, $259,000. Sara Erlich sold property to David and Michelle Bandriss 133 East Ave., $358,000. Marla Segol sold property to Paul Benzon and Sarah Sweeney 23 Horizon Drive, $515,000. Johannes and Marta Prinsloo sold property to Jeffrey and Kylie Byrne 16 Patricia Lane, $292,000. Joseph and Catherine Racette sold property to Barbara Vanburen 33 First Street, $768,669. PJB 1743 LLC sold property to Richard and Deborah Coburn
36 Lakepointe Way Lot 22, $344,780. Street Mason sold property to Alfred and Bernadette Nastasi 66 East Street, $110,000. Town of Stillwater sold property to Kirk Haner 220 County Route 76, $230,000. Steel Velvet sold property to Brandon and Whitney Barnes
WATERFORD 132 Third ST., $175,000. 132 3rd Street LLC sold property to ZREWF 123 LLC 11 Third Street, $105,000. Dewey and Deborah Blair sold property to Charles Riley
45 Challedon Dr., $315,900. Charles and Alice Evens sold property to Troy and Amy Hoover 66 Woodard Road, $465,000. Ann Marie Flores sold property to Steven and Stephanie White 14 Seymour Drive, $395,000. Brookfield Global Relocation Service sold property to Jeffery Horn 14 Seymour Drive, $401,000. Coley and Anne Marie Campbell sold property to Brookfield Global Relocation Service 4 New Kent Drive, $235,0000. Stephen and Lisa Plata sold property to Thomas Natoli 11 Palmer Terrace, $262,000. Michael Schietzelt sold property to John and Kimberly Mayhew
19
20
BUSINESS
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
Meet Saratoga Bridges Foundation’s New Board Members SARATOGA SPRINGS — Over the past year, Saratoga Bridges Foundation has elected 4 new board members who all reside in Saratoga Springs. Christianne Smith, Erik Whittle, Erin Callahan and Kate Jarosh join a group of distinguished and dedicated individuals who ensure that the agency is able to raise necessary operating funds for programs, capital and special projects which are not sufficiently supported by state or federal dollars, and establish an endowment to ensure the availability of future services; and exercise fiduciary responsibility of Foundation assets. Erik Whittle is a Financial Advisor for Northwestern Mutual. Having served on the Saratoga Bridges White Party Committee since 2007, Whittle was recently elected to be the Treasurer of the
Christianne Smith
Foundation Board. He is a Quality Award winning member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and was a Million Dollar Round Table qualifying member in 2013 and 2015. According to Whittle, “What impresses me most about Saratoga Bridges is its multi-tiered and integrated approach to addressing the needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Erik Whittle
Providing meaningful employment opportunities, independent living options, and cultural and artistic enrichment are all important on their own; however, when made available in concert they not only benefit the individuals who are supported, but our entire community as well. I see real world impact on people’s lives and the need for advocates to continue the mission. The ability to give individuals dignity, meaning and purpose is one of life’s greatest endeavors.” Christianne Smith owns Designsmith Studio. She has been on the White Party Committee since 2011 and designed the event’s marketing pieces. Smith is a Leadership Saratoga graduate and Board Member for Saratoga Arts, Saratoga Arts Fest and Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. She was the 2013-2015 Chair of the American Cancer Society’s Gala of Hope, on the Steering Committee for Capital Region Creative Economy and Stakeholders Civic Engagement Council. In addition, she is on the Mardi Gras, SPAC Wine and Food and Yaddo event committees and a past Wellspring Board Member and in the Schenectady and Saratoga County Junior Leagues. Smith said, “I have always held in the highest regard the work being done at Saratoga Bridges. The programs and opportunities they provide help to nurture confidence and emotional strength. I have witnessed true compassion from their tremendous staff and respect their commitment. Working with the people they support has always been something I wanted to do. I believe that I will directly or indirectly be fulfilling a goal I have had since I was a child. This is extremely rewarding to me and a mission I want to put my energies into!”
Erin Callahan
Erin Callahan is an Associate for Whiteman Osterman and Hanna, LLP in Albany. She has served on their White Party Committee since 2015 and is a member of Saratoga Central Catholic’s Board of Education and a Saratoga Hospital’s Summer Gala Committee. Callahan stated, “I highly respect Saratoga Bridges’ mission and the work and dedication of its staff and volunteers in providing a depth and magnitude of services to people with developmental disabilities and their families -- which is unrivaled in the Capital Region. In practicing the Special Education laws, I have participated in meetings on behalf of school districts with parents of a child with a disability during the transition period from school district-provided services to a community-based service provider. Parents are always troubled and stressed during this process. Many are not fortunate to have an organization like Saratoga Bridges to rely on in providing critical, continuing residential services, day programs, community involvement opportunities, employment and transportation. As a Foundation Board Member, I feel it is instrumental to raise funds and increase the community’s knowledge and awareness about the people they support. My goal is to ensure they have the resources necessary to continue maintaining the highest level of services while making major impacts on individuals and their families.” Kate Jarosh is the Business Development Manager/ Assistant Controller for Bonacio Construction. She served on our White Party Committee since 2012. Jarosh is a Leadership Saratoga graduate, President and Co-Founder of Saratoga’s All-American Celebration and a Saratoga History Museum, Wellspring and Adult and Senior
Kate Jarosh
Center of Saratoga Springs Board Member. She is a member of SPAC’s Junior Committee, St. Clements Church and the Karen and Gary Dake Foundation for Children as well as being a part of the political campaigns of Supervisor Matthew Veitch and Steve Stallmer. Jarosh said, “When I agreed to be Matt Veitch’s campaign chair in 2007, I thought I would gain political experience. I did not know that that decision would lead me down a path of learning more about this great organization. At that point in my life, I had never met a person on the Autism Spectrum. During those 8 months, I got to know Matt’s sons who have Autism and saw how hard it can be on a family. However, Saratoga Bridges offers hope. In all my interactions, I witnessed their impressive staff providing compassionate care. This experience encouraged me to apply for a job. Although I was not selected, I became a fundraising volunteer to promote the positive attributes the agency offers and to raise crucial donations. Because legislators do not recognize the need to fully support said services, I am very interested in advocating to them to do so while encouraging individuals and businesses in our community to give generously.” Saratoga Bridges has been providing the highest level of programs to people with developmental disabilities and their families for more than 55 years by promoting their abilities and achievements in every aspect of community life. As one of the largest private non-profit organizations in Saratoga County, they have been committed to ensuring that the individuals they serve are able to realize their goals, hopes and dreams as they work, shop, play, and volunteer while leading full, productive and contributing lives. For more information, visit www. saratogabridges.org.
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
PEP Welcomes Creative Director
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Patient Experience Project (PEP), a full-service, patientcentric marketing and communications agency based in Saratoga Springs, has announced the addition of David A. Moore to its leadership team. Moore joins PEP as Creative Director, bringing with him nearly 20 years of experience in the advertising and design fields, where he has built a reputation as an accomplished brand-building expert. In his new position, Moore is responsible for all creative work produced at PEP across all clients and across all media. Prior to joining the PEP, he helped to build brands in higher education from Ivy League universities and Division I public colleges to groundbreaking research institutions. Across other industries, he has worked with all types and sizes of
organizations from regional theatre groups and performing arts festivals, to large national and international brands like Le Creuset, HSBC Bank, Mead Paper Products, and Diebold. His work has won recognition from the Addys, the CASE Awards, HEMR, the Print Regional Design Annual, and both the Communication Arts Design and Illustration Annuals. Moore earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. He is a former board member for the American Advertising Federation’s Albany Ad Club Association of Professional Communicators, representing New York’s Capital Region. For more information about the Patient Experience Project visit www.the-pep.com.
Clarification On page 12 of our August 12 issue, the article announcing the newest facility of The Home of the Good Shepherd indicates that the nonprofit does not take Medicare or Medicaid. The paragraph should have included “because neither Medicare nor Medicaid pay for assisted living at any facility on a state or federal level.”
D’Orazio and Peterson Selected to Super Lawyers SARATOGA SPRINGS — Scott M. Peterson, founding partner of D’Orazio Peterson LLP, a Plaintiff ’s Employment and Serious Injury law firm, has been selected to the 2016
BUSINESS BRIEFS 21 Upstate New York Super Lawyers List in the field of Plaintiff ’s Litigation, for the fourth year in a row. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Giovanna A. D’Orazio, partner with D’Orazio Peterson, has also been selected as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in Upstate New York for the third year in a row, an honor that is bestowed upon less than 2.5 percent of lawyers under the age of 40 in New York State. Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. For more information about D’Orazio Peterson LLP, visit doraziopeterson.com.
Gun and Militaria Show SARATOGA SPRINGS — New Eastcoast Arms Collectors Associates, Inc. (NEACA), will host the 103rd Saratoga Springs Gun and Militaria Show on Saturday and Sunday, August 20 and 21 at the Saratoga Springs City Center. The doors will open to the general public to buy, sell or trade on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. General admission is $9 daily ($8 for senior citizens over 60) and children under 14 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. For further information, call NEACA President, David
Petronis at 518-664-9743 or visit www.NEACA.com. TRANSFER AND SALES OF ALL MODERN FIREARMS ARE SUBJECT TO FBI BACKGROUND CHECKS.
Stillwater Hearing STILLWATER — A public hearing will be conducted by the Planning Board of the Town of Stillwater on August 22 at 7 p.m. at the Stillwater Town Hall at 881 Hudson Avenue. The hearing is being held to consider an application by Cailean Mackay for Site Plan Review for Saratoga Lake Golf Club. The applicant wishes to present an application to construct a 13,254 SF banquet facility that will include a restaurant, outside deck, and proshop. Other changes include changes to the parking and landscaping, as well as variations in the approved business. The Saratoga Lake Golf Course site is located at 35 Grace Moore Road. The purpose of the hearing is to afford the applicant the opportunity to present their justification for this request and to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the proposal.
Adirondack Antique Shows INDIAN LAKE/BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE — Dealers in high quality antiques from across the country are converging in the Adirondack wilderness for two signature events, the Adirondack Mountains Antiques Show in Indian Lake, held Wednesday, September 14 through Sunday, September 18, and the Adirondack
Museum Antiques Show and Sale, held Saturday, September 17, and Sunday, September 18. More than 100 dealers are expected to exhibit at the two shows, held in the two mountain hamlets located about 11 miles from one another on idyllic New York State Route 28/30, in the very center of the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park. Visit www.ADKAntiques. com to learn more about the 2016 Adirondack Mountains Antiques Show. Visit www. AdirondackMus eum.org to learn more about the Adirondack Museum’s Antiques Show and Sale.
Correction In Saratoga TODAY’s August 12, 2016 issue, a story (“Super Condo”) had a quote (“We’re a family company, small and local, so this is great”) that was attributed to Eric Eckardt, founder of DwellOwner, Inc. In fact, after publication, Mr. Eckardt informed us that DwellOwner, Inc. is … “a national firm licensing in several states pending. We…will be in MA, CT and PA by the end of this year and currently service all 62-counties in New York State. We are one of the most progressive real estate firms in the market, providing unmatched services while allowing home-sellers to save thousands in unnecessary commission fees.” More information can be found at dwellowner.com. Saratoga TODAY regrets the error and any confusion this may have caused.
22
EDUCATION
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
Ballston Spa Earns Ranking on 2016 America’s Top High Schools List BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa High School (BSHS) has been named to the “America’s Top High Schools” list again this year by Newsweek magazine. According to Newsweek, the 500 top high schools selected for 2016 do the best job in preparing students for college. Schools across the nation were ranked based on college acceptance and enrollment, SAT and ACT participation and performance, AP and IB participation and performance, dual enrollment programs and guidance and counseling resources. “We are thrilled to receive this recognition as an indicator of the work we are doing to support student achievement,” said Superintendent Joseph P. Dragone, Ph.D. “We will continue to provide access and opportunity for all students to
pursue diverse and challenging coursework.” Since 2010, the district has continued to receive national recognition based on academic opportunity and performance. Ballston Spa High School was also recently recognized on The Washington Post’s list of the “2016 America’s Most Challenging High Schools,” with prior recognitions in 2015, 2014 and 2011. Newsweek previously recognized the high school on the America’s Best High Schools list in 2010 and 2013 based on an increased number of students taking Advanced Placement examinations and an increase in the assessment scores. The school was also cited as one of “America’s Best High Schools” by U.S. News and World Report, along with twice receiving the national “AP Achievement
Award” from the College Board for increasing student access to AP coursework while maintaining achievement levels. New offerings at BSHS in 2016-2017 include an expansion of the district’s partnership with Proctors to offer a Media Works course and Artist-in-Residency in 9th grade, integrating ELA with filmmaking and technology. An expanded partnership with Schenectady County Community College will also provide students the opportunity to enroll in an additional 18 courses for college credit. Visit http://www.newsweek. com/high-schools/americas-tophigh-schools-2016 for the full list of high schools on this year’s list and related information.
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
EDUCATION BRIEFS
Clarke-Brunetto Receives Frederick Allen Scholarship
23
Child Seat Check and Child ID’s CORINTH — On Saturday, August 20, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office is providing a free and open to the public car seat check from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Full Gospel Assembly Church 20 Stark Rd. Corinth. Technicians from the Saratoga
County Sheriff’s Office will be on hand to educate car seat owners and to ensure proper car seat installation. Free Child ID’s will also be provided. Questions can be directed to contact person Sgt. Brent Dupras at bdupras@saratogacountyny.gov
Horrors & Jedi
Left to right, Bob Reed, Exalted Ruler, Frederick Allen Lodge; Dora Stanley, Daughter Ruler, Mary A. Carter Temple; Mayor Joanne Yepsen; Maya Clarke-Brunetto; China Clarke, Maya’s mother; Bill Stanley, Esteemed Leading Knight; Tommy Davis, past Exalted Ruler.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Maya Clarke-Brunetto, recipient of the annual scholarship awarded to the student of color with the highest Grade Point Average at Saratoga High School by the Frederick Allen Lodge #609 and the Mary A. Carter Temple #362, recently
stopped by the Lodge on Beekman Street to meet Lodge and Temple members. Clarke-Brunetto will be attending Dartmouth College in the fall and hopes to major in engineering. She also plays the viola and frequently can be seen busking on Broadway or at the track.
The Frederick Allen Lodge was established in Saratoga Springs in 1925 and has been a vital part of the City’s history since that time. The scholarship award dates back to the 1960’s and is one of numerous community activities of the organization
Middle/High School Orientations
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Maple Avenue Middle School will host a walk-through for all sixth grade students and any new students on Wednesday, August 31 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. On Thursday, September 1, Maple Avenue will host a walkthrough for all seventh and eighth grade students from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Students must have a parent or guardian with them to attend
the walk-through. Attendees should bring student schedules with them, as copies will not be available at the school. Saratoga Springs High School will host an orientation program for incoming ninth graders and all new high school students and their parents/guardians on Wednesday, August 31. The orientation will be held in the Saratoga
Springs High School Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. There will be an additional walk-through only opportunity for students September 1, between 1 and 3 p.m. The program will provide students and parents/guardians with an opportunity to meet several of the high school staff including administrators, department heads and guidance counselors.
Adult Machine Tool Information Session HUDSON FALLS — An information session for the Adult Machine Tool Technology (AMTT) training program will be held at the WSWHE BOCES Southern Adirondack Education Center on Thursday, September 8, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room, Building D. This intensive 500-hour training program was developed
to address the current and anticipated need for machinists in specialty machine shops across the region, as well as in companies engaged in Advanced Manufacturing. Local employers designed the program in collaboration with two local BOCES. Employers will be on hand to discuss what the work is like and what it takes to be a successful machinist. They will also
share information about careers in machining, what the training involves, and the outlook for employment and potential earnings in the region. Anyone interested in attending the information session must call to register/ reserve a seat for this free session. To register, please contact Lisa Colvin at WSWHE BOCES at 518-746-3401.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Children’s Theatre presents “Little Shop of Horrors.” Director: Chris Stefani; Music Director: Dan Lyng; Choreographer: Leigh Berenis; and Costumer: Linda Bertrand. Performances are Friday August 19 and Saturday, August 20 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at JKB Theatre, Skidmore College. All tickets are sold at the door.
General Admission $10 and children 10 years and under are free. SCT also presents “Jedi Academy.” Director: Holly McCormack; Music Director: Ben Jacob; and Assistant: Greg Mytelka. Performances are Friday August 19 at 11a.m. and 4 p.m. at St. Clement’s School. All tickets are sold at the door. General Admission $5 and children 10 years and under are free.
Puppet Making Class SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Children’s Theatre is hosting a Puppet Making Class for ages 4 to 6. Dates are Thursday, September 8 through Thursday, September 29 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Senior Center, 5 Williams Street. In this class, the students will learn how to make different types of puppets. The students, with the guidance of the instructor, will
write skits to bring their puppets to life. The final class will have a showcase starting at 5 p.m. for family and friends. Instructor: Regina Sinnott. Fee $75. To register, visit www. SaratogaChildrensTheatre.org.
24 Adirondack Christian Fellowship 8 Mountain Ledge, Wilton 587-0623 | acfsaratoga.com Services: Sunday 8 a.m. & 10 a.m. Adirondack Friends Meeting 27 Saratoga Ave, South Glens Falls 793-3755 | adirondackfriendsmeeting.org Regina Baird Haag, Pastor Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Assembly of God Faith Chapel 6 Burgoyne St, Schuylerville 695-6069 | Rev. Jason Proctor Services: Sunday 10:45 a.m. Assembly of God Saratoga 118 Woodlawn Ave, Saratoga Springs 584-6081 | Services: Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Bacon Hill Reformed Church* 560 Route 32N, Bacon Hill | 695-3074 Rev. Janet Vincent | Services: Worship service 10 a.m.; Sunday School 10 a.m. Baha’i Community of Saratoga Springs 584-9679; 692-7694 | usbnc.org Ballston Center Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 58 Charlton Road, Ballston Spa | 885-7312 ballstoncenterarpchurch.org Services: Sunday Worship, 10:30 a.m. Ballston Spa United Methodist Church 101 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa 885-6886 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Bethesda Episcopal Church* 41 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs Bethesdachurch.org | 584-5980 The Very Rev’d Marshall J. Vang Services: Sunday 8:00AM & 10:00AM Calvary Capital District 17 Low Street, Ballston Spa | Pastor Andrew Holt Services: Sunday 10 am | calvarycd.com Church of Christ at Clifton Park 7 Old Route 146, Clifton Park 371-6611 | cliftonparkchurchofchrist.com Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Christ Community Reformed Church 1010 Route 146, Clifton Park | 371-7654 ccrc-cpny.org | Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Christ Episcopal Church Routes 50 & 67, Ballston Spa | 885-1031 Services: Sunday 8 & 10 a.m. Christian Restoration Ministries Saratoga Senior Center 5 Williams St, Saratoga Springs 796-4323 | Pastor Pat Roach Services: Sunday 10 a.m.; 6:30 p.m. Christian Science Church 107 Circular St, Saratoga Springs 584-0221 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Community Alliance Church 257 Rowland St, Ballston Spa 885-6524 | Services: Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Congregation Shaara Tfille* 84 Weibel Avenue, Saratoga Springs 584-2370 | saratogasynagogue.org Services: Saturday 10 a.m. Corinth Free Methodist Church 20 Hamilton Ave, Corinth 654-9255; 792-0271 Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Corinth United Methodist Church 243 Main Street, Corinth 654-2521 | cfumc@cnyconnect.net Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Cornerstone Community Church 516 Park Ave., Mechanicville | 664-5204 mycornerstonechurch.org | Pastor Frank Galerie Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Community 2001 Route 9, Round Lake 877-8506 | ccorpusc@nycap.rr.com Services: Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.;
RELIGION Eastern Orthodox — Christ the Savior 349 Eastline Road, Ballston Spa 786-3100 | xcsavior@yahoo.com. Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m. First Baptist Church of Saratoga Springs 45 Washington St, Saratoga Springs 584-6301 | Services: Sunday 11 a.m. First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa 202 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa 885-8361 | bspabaptist.org Services: 10:30 a.m. worship, 9 a.m. Sunday School (all ages) First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa 22 West High St, Ballston Spa 885-5583 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Full Gospel Tabernacle 207 Redmond Road, Gansevoort 793-2739 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Galway United Methodist Church 2056 East St, Galway | 882-6520 galway-united-methodist-church.com Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m. (9 a.m. in July and August) Grace Fellowship Saratoga 165 High Rock Ave, Saratoga | 691-0301 saratoga.gracefellowship.com Pastor: Mike Adams Services: Sundays 9 & 11 a.m. Grace Brethren Church* 137 W. Milton Road, Ballston Spa 587-0649 | Rev. Dan Pierce Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Greater Grace Community Church Pastor David Moore | 899-7777 thechurch@ggccmalta.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Greenfield Center Baptist Church 30 Wilton Road, Greenfield Center | 893-7429 Services: Sunday School for all ages - 9:45 a.m.; Church Service - 11 a.m. Highway Tabernacle Church 90 River Road, Mechanicville | 664-4442 Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Hope Church 206 Greenfield Ave, Ballston Spa 885-7442 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Jonesville United Methodist 963 Main St, Clifton Park 877-7332 | Services: Sunday 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Living Springs Community Church 59 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs 584-9112 | Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Living Waters Church of God 4330 State Rt. 50, Saratoga Springs 587-0484 | livingwaterscog.us Services: Sundays 10 a.m. Malta Presbyterian Church Dunning Street, Malta 899-5992 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Malta Ridge United Methodist Church 729 Malta Ave. Ext, Malta 581-0210 | Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Middle Grove United Methodist Church* 581-2973 | Pastor Bonnie Bates Services: Sunday 9 a.m. Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Corner of Jefferson St. & Crescent St. Saratoga Springs | 584-9441 Rev. Dr. Victor L. Collier, Pastor New Horizon Church 150 Perry Road, Saratoga Springs 587-0711 | Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m. New Life Fellowship 51 Old Gick Road, Saratoga Springs 580-1810 | newlifeinsaratoga.org. Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.
NorthStar Church Gowana Middle School, Clifton Park 371-2811 | northstarchurch.com Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m. & 11:15 a.m. Old Saratoga Reformed Church* 48 Pearl St., Schuylerville oldsaratogareformedchurch.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Old Stone Church (American Baptist) 159 Stone Church Road, Ballston Spa 583-1002 | Services: Sunday 9 a.m.; Adult Sunday School 9 a.m.; Service 10:30 a.m. Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church* 73 Midline Road, Ballston Lake 399-5713 | Services: Saturday 5 p.m. Sunday 8:15 & 10:15 a.m. Presbyterian-NE Congregational Church 24 Circular St, Saratoga Springs 584-6091 | pnecchurch.org Services: Sunday 10:45 a.m. Quaker Springs United Methodist Church* 466 Route 32 South, Quaker Springs 695-3101 | qsumc.com Pastor Al Johnson Services: Sunday 9 a.m. River of Hope Fellowship 100 Saratoga Village Blvd, Malta Cmns, Ste. 3 | 881-1505 riverofhopefellowship.com Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 584-2375 | Services: Saturday 5 p.m.; Sunday 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m. St. Clement’s Roman Catholic Church 231 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs 584-6122 | Services: Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 8, 9:30, 11:15 a.m. and 5 p.m., 1 p.m. Spanish Service St. George’s Episcopal Church 912 Route 146, Clifton Park 371-6351 | stgeorge@csdsl.net Services: Saturday 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 8 & 9:30 a.m. St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church* 3159 Route 9N, Greenfield Center 893-7680 stjosephschurchgreenfieldcenter.org Services: Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 10:30 a.m. St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church* 167 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa 885-7411 | stmarysbsta.org Services: Saturday 4 p.m., Sunday 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., Noon. St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church* 771 Route 29, Rock City Falls 893-7680 | sjoegctr@nycap.rr.com Services: Sunday 8:30 am. St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 149 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs 584-0904 | Services: Saturday 5 p.m.; Sundays 8:30 & 11 a.m. St. Peter Lutheran Church 2776 Route 9, Malta | 583-4153 Services: Sunday 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.; Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church 1 Grove Street, Schuylerville 695-3918 | Rev. Donna J. Arnold Services: Sunday 8 & 9 a.m. St. Thomas of Canterbury 242 Grooms Road, Halfmoon st-thomas-of-canterbury.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Saratoga Abundant Life Church 2325 Route 50 South, Saratoga Springs 885-5456 | SALChurch.org Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m.
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016 Saratoga Chabad 130 Circular St, Saratoga Springs 526-0773 | saratogachabad.com Saratoga Friends Meeting (Quaker) Rts. 32 and 71, Quaker Springs 587-7477; 399-5013 Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Saratoga United Methodist Church* Henning Road, Saratoga Springs 584-3720 | saratogaumc.com Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Saratoga Seventh-Day Adventist Church 399 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs 882-9384 | saratogasda.org Services: Sabbath School: 10 a.m. Worship Service: 11:30 a.m. Schuylerville United Methodist Church* 51 Church St, Schuylerville 695-3101 | sumethodist.org Services: Worship at 11am Shenendehowa United Methodist 971 Route 146, Clifton Park 371-7964 Services: Sunday 9 & 10:30 a.m. Simpson United Methodist Church Rock City Road, Rock City Falls 885-4794 Services: Sunday 10:45 a.m. Soul Saving Station for Every Nation Christ Crusaders of America 62 Henry St, Saratoga Springs Services: Sunday 10 a.m. www.SOULSAVINGSTATIONCHURCH.COM Stillwater United Church (Presbyterian U.S.A.) 747 Hudson Avenue, Stillwater | 664-7984 stillwaterunitedchurch.org Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Temple Sinai* 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 584-8730 | saratogasinai.org Shabbat Services: Friday 6 p.m. or 8p.m. (rotating schedule) Saturdays: 10:30a.m. Terra Nova Church* 45 Washington St, Saratoga Springs 833-0504 | terranovachurch.org Services: Sunday 5:30 p.m. The Salvation Army/ Worship, Service & Community Center 27 Woodlawn Ave, Saratoga Springs 584-1640 Services: Sunday School 10 a.m.; Praise & Worship 11 a.m. Trinity United Methodist Church 155 Ballard Road, Gansevoort 584-9107 | tumcwilton.com Rev Keith Mann Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs 624 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs 584-1555 | uusaratoga.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m. Unity Church in Albany 21 King Ave., Albany 453-3603 Services: Sunday 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. West Charlton United Presbyterian Church 1331 Sacandaga Road, West Charlton 882-9874 | westcharltonupc.org Rev. Thomas Gregg, Pastor Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Wilton Baptist Church 755 Saratoga Road, Wilton 583-2736 wiltonbaptistchurch.com Services: Sunday 11 a.m.
* — Handicap Accessible
25
RELIGION
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
Strange Haven: A Jewish Childhood in Wartime Shanghai
Sigmund Tobias
Congregation Shaara Tfille will host Sigmund Tobias as he presents “Strange Haven: A Jewish Childhood in Wartime Shanghai.” Held at 84 Weibel Avenue in Saratoga Springs on Sunday, August 21 at 7pm, the event is part of the 2016 Saratoga Jewish Cultural Festival. Dr. Tobias will discuss his poignant memoir which
describes Jewish refugees living in Shanghai during World War II. Richly detailed, it opens a little-documented chapter of the Holocaust and provides a fascinating glimpse of life for these foreigners. In the wake of Kristallnacht, November 9, 1938, Sigmund Tobias and his parents fled Germany and relocated to one of the few cities that offered shelter without requiring a visa -- Shanghai. Seventeen thousand Jewish refugees flocked to Hongkew, a section of Shanghai ruled by the Japanese, and created an active community that continued to exist through the end of the war. In this exotic sanctuary, Sigmund’s comingof-age story unfolds within his descriptions of Jewish life. Depleted by disease and
hunger, constantly struggling with primitive and crowded conditions, the refugees faced shortages of food, clothing, and medicine. He also observes the underbelly of Shanghai, the brutal lives of the Chinese workers, the tensions between Chinese and Japanese and the approach of the communist “liberators” afterward. The evening is part of the 2016 5th Annual Saratoga Jewish Cultural Festival which includes family-oriented, fun-filled events intended to foster community, enhance Jewish identity and raise awareness of Jewish cultural arts. Open to the public, their event is sponsored by a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Northeastern NY. $5 donation requested by contacting 584-2370 or saratogajcc@albany.twcbc.com.
Congregation Shaara Tfille continues Adult Education program series focusing on US Presidents and American Jews
Free Spirit Fellowship Breaks Ground for Expansion Please join Free Spirit Fellowship Sunday, September 4 for an exciting time in their history as they break ground for expansion of their facilities as well as marking 35 years
Congregation Shaara Tfille, located at 84 Weibel Avenue in Saratoga Springs, is continuing its program series focusing on 2 Presidents – Harry S. Truman
and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Rabbi Kenneth Blatt will lead the discussion pertaining to their interaction with the AmericanJewish community. Held on
Tuesday, August 23rd at 7pm, the event is open to the public. For more information, contact the Synagogue at 584-2370 or saratogajcc@albany.twcbc.com.
of God’s blessings. The church is located at 1425 W. High Street in Ballston Spa. Service time is 10:30 a.m. For further information, please call (518) 885-3149.
26
FOOD
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
Eating ‘The Rainbow’, Farmers’ Market Style Photos by Pattie Garret
Saturdays, 9 to 1 Wednesdays, 3 to 6
Ingredients
Directions
Adapted from Eating Well
Whisk vinegar, honey, garlic, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, onion and corn. Stir well to combine. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, before serving. Garnish with dill or basil. 52 calories, Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Carbohydrates 11 g, Sugar 7 g, Added Sugar 3 g, Protein 2 g, Fiber 2 g, Sodium 149 mg.
Serves 4
High Rock Park
* Ingredients currently available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market
by Pattie Garrett
for Saratoga TODAY August is a peak produce period for farmers, and the vendor stalls at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market are bursting with color. Everything looks so good that you want to buy everything. But that abundant array also can feel a bit overwhelming. As a Registered Dietitian, let me propose the following strategies: First, start with your seasonal favorites. For instance, if you love corn on the cob, now is the time to savor it. Make sure to buy some to eat now, and perhaps some to freeze for later. Next, think about color. A popular notion is to eat the colors of the rainbow. It’s a fun, easy way to think about the foods we eat. Colorful vegetables and fruit are generally considered to be rich in nutrients. And
Rainbow Summer Vegetable Salad
since we need a variety of nutrients, eating an array of colors is one way to ensure that you’re getting a balance. How can a trip to the farmers’ market help you eat the rainbow? Well, start with the color green, the easiest color. Think about broccoli, spinach, cabbage, salad greens, Swiss chard, kale, collards, and the huge array of Asian greens. These leafy green vegetables are often a good source of folic acid, Vitamin K, potassium, and carotenoids.
Then, think red. Tomatoes and watermelon are not only bright and beautiful. They also are associated with lycopene, an antioxidant. Red vegetables and fruit also are usually high in Vitamin C and folate. For orange, there’s carrots, cantaloupe, and soon sweet potatoes. The color orange is associated with beta-carotene, an antioxidant. This is converted to Vitamin A in our body. Often these foods have high levels of Vitamin C. We’ve covered yellow, with corn. But there’s also yellow summer squash, crooknecks and patty-pans. And, finally, think purple: beautiful blueberries, blackberries, and eggplant. Their deep blue to purplish hues signify a rich level of phytochemicals. All vegetables and fruits, of course, are a good source of fiber and each has their own unique combination of vitamins and minerals. It is recommended that we eat at least 10 servings of vegetables and fruit each day. So, fill half of your plate with vegetables and fruits. And if your bags are too heavy, ask the market’s Veggie Valet volunteers for some help. The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through October at High Rock Park. Playing the Rainbow Dinner game The following “recipe” for a rainbow meal is adapted from a game by the Whole Kids Foundation. It’s a great game for adults, too. Using the rainbow, you can plan a meal or several meals.
- 1/3 cup cider vinegar * - 2 teaspoon honey * - 1 small clove garlic, minced * - ¼ teaspoon ground pepper - 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes * - ½ medium cucumber, halved, seeded, and sliced thin * - ½ medium zucchini or yellow summer squash, quartered and sliced thin (use both for color) * - ½ medium sweet onion * - Kernels from 2 ears of corn * - 2 Tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh dill or basil *
Photo by Pattie Garrett
Play the game, and share your results with the Friends of the Market volunteers tomorrow at the Veggie Valet tent: 1. Draw a rainbow on a sheet of paper. Bring it with you to the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. 2. Look for a food to match each color while browsing through the farmers’ market. 3. Devise a salad, a stir-fry, or
a grilled plate of veggies that would include all of the foods you chose. Or, perhaps make your rainbow dinner into a multi-course meal. 4. Share your results with your friends and with us. You can view the game at https:// www.wholekidsfoundation.org/ downloads/better-bites/better-biteseat-a-rainbow.pdf.
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
FOOD 27
“Herbs add Spice to your Life”
by John Reardon for Saratoga TODAY Hello my Foodie Friends. Many of our Foodies enjoy planting and harvesting herb gardens. The intense heat of summer will soon take a toll on many of the cooler-weather culinary herbs, such as chervil, chives, cilantro, dill, fennel, French tarragon, lavender, parsley, sage and thyme. With the hot August days the production and quality of herbs may drop off offering the time to harvest generously now. Why plant herbs? Herbs have been used in foods for centuries. Archeologists estimate that by 50,000 B.C. primitive man had discovered that parts of certain aromatic plants help make food taste better, according to the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA). Many of us who harvest herbs to use with every meal have a fondness for gadgetry that can make the job easier or faster or more fun. Items such as a curved chopping blade, or mezzaluna, are perfect when you’re chopping herbs in time to rock music. Sure, any knife would probably do an adequate job of chopping,
peeling, and mincing, but then we would miss the fun of searching out these other ways to do it. There is an assortment of tools that any would-be chef would love to use to prep and cook meal creations with herbs. Mortar and pestles, used for centuries to pound and crush foods and drugs alike, are indispensable in today’s kitchen. The mortar and pestle is wonderful for smashing fresh herbs with garlic and oil for savory pestos, or reducing a pile of nutmeats to a paste. Or you can chop or mince your herbs. Many cooks favor the curved blade of a mezzaluna (Italian for “half moon”), which rolls across fresh herbs to the cook’s own rhythm. The double-handled versions are easy to use on a wooden cutting board or other surface and can make quick work of a large pile
of herbs. One of our favorite herb tools is the herb mincer with round blades that zip across a cutting board mincing every herb. The herb mincer has stainless steel blades that quickly mince fresh herbs; perfect for leafy herbs like cilantro and parsley, chopping vegetables for salad toppings or fresh salsa, and cutting fresh noodles. The OXO herb mincer has a soft, non-slip grip that keeps hands away from blades while cutting. The front end serves as scraper to gather herbs into a pile while mincing. Add fresh herbs during cooking. As a general rule, add fresh herbs near the end of the cooking time or just before serving as prolonged heating can cause flavor and aroma losses. Add the more delicate fresh herbs — basil, chives, cilantro, dill leaves, parsley, marjoram and mint — a minute or two before the end of cooking or sprinkle them on the food before it’s served. The less delicate fresh herbs, such as dill seeds, oregano, rosemary, tarragon and thyme, can be added about the last 20 minutes of cooking. For some foods, such as breads, batters, etc., you’ll need to add fresh herbs at the
beginning of the cooking process. Come visit Saratoga Springs’ CTTC, where we have Tools for Cooks! We are located at 46 Marion Avenue (across from Fresh Market).
Add spice to your life with herbs. Put music on while you cook and have fun creating culinary magic. Remember “Life Happens in the Kitchen”. Take care. John and Paula
28
LOCAL BRIEFS
Walk with Compassion Capital Region Walk with Compassion is the walk to end child poverty. Compassion International’s new fundraising walk series, Walk with Compassion, was created to address the challenges of vulnerable children around the world that go beyond what monthly sponsorship covers. The money we raise together helps to fund critical needs such as: medical emergencies, disaster relief, HIV/AIDS response, caring for unsponsored children, clean water, and much more. The walk will take place at the Halfmoon Town Hall on August 27 at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit www. walkwithcompassion.com. Summer Craft and Food Festival The Adirondack Folk School will host a Summer Craft and Food Festival on August 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will take place on the school grounds overlooking the Hudson, located at 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne. Dozens of craft and food vendors are expected, and Mac Petrequin will play his signature blue grass music from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information visit, www. adirondackfolkschool.org. A Call to Artists and Artisans The Friends of U.S. Grant Cottage Historic Site invite artists to participate in a one day “Plein Air” painting event on Sunday, August 27, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Artists are invited to bring their easels and painting supplies to set up anywhere on the grounds to paint the historic site and its landmark landscape and panoramic views. The event is free to artists. Paintings will be auctioned off at the Fine Arts Festival on September 18 to benefit Grant’s Cottage (50/50 percentage rate). Music will be provided by the Lost Rounders, “Politics and Patriots” starting at 1 p.m. For more information or to register contact Bev at bjsartworks@gmail.com or call (518) 793-9350. Burnt Hills Oratorio Call for Singers The Burnt Hills Oratorio Society
welcomes singers for its upcoming concert, Mozart’s “Requiem Mass”. This immortal choral work will be performed in a joint concert with the University at Albany Choral Artists, November 11, 2016. The first rehearsal is Tuesday, August 30, Immaculate Conception Parish Hall, 400 Saratoga Road, Glenville 12302. Registration is at 6:30 p.m., rehearsal is at 7 p.m. “Meet and Greet” Meet Artistic Director, William Jon Gray, at 8:30 p.m. Refreshments provided. BHOS welcomes all singers, without audition. Subsequent rehearsals are Tuesday nights, 7 p.m. at the Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake High School choral room. Membership is $55 plus the cost of music. For more information, visit www.BHOS.us. Walk-ins welcome. Vendor/Craft Fair Round Lake United Methodist Church is hosting a Vendor/Craft Fair on Saturday, September 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a variety of vendors including Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, Thirty-One, Tupperware and LuLaRoe designs. Participating local crafters will have jewelry, knitted items, mobiles, photography stoneware and much more for sale. Each participant will have an item available to bid on during a Chinese auction. All proceeds from the sale will be used to support the ministries of the Round Lake United Methodist Church. Tailgate Party to Benefit Veterans Join us on September 11, 2016 at 11:45 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the VFW Post 420, 190 Excelsior Ave., Saratoga Springs for a tailgate party. $1 draft beer and cash bar for bottle beer, wine and well drinks, food, big screen TV’s for opening day football games, and vendors. Enjoy live music – Skippy and the Pistons, Jeff Brisbin and more. Donation $10. NatureFest NatureFest will be held on September 17, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Moreau Lake State Park. Free fun-filled family day of interactive nature related activities, raptor birds, insects, and reptiles. There will be fun crafts and activities for the kids, like birdhouse building, face painting, pumpkin painting and much more. There will also be nature related educational
booths, representatives from local parks, rescue organizations and wagon rides. Food is available that day as well as silent auction and tours of the nature center. All donations collected will go to The Friends of Moreau Lake (non-profit). The Friends of Moreau Lake support the Moreau Lake Nature Center, environmental education classes as well as offering crafts and special events for the park. We are working toward being a Zero-Waste event so bring your reusable water bottle and get a free pin or magnet! Havurah Vatik Stand up, sit down, laugh, laugh, laugh! Join us on September 20, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Congregation Shaara Tfille, located at 84 Weibel Ave, Saratoga Springs as we start off our Havurah Vatik fall season with a wealth of hilarious stand-up comedy from the Golden Years of the Catskills, cheerfully offering you “Catskills on Broadway.” Let Freddie Roman, Mal Z. Lawrence, Dick Capri, and Louise Duart work their comedic magic: howl, weep, and then feel great -- laughter is the best medicine wise men say. OK, these old-time, all-time greats of the Borscht Belt are not here in person, but the wonders of cinematic technology provide us with frontrow seats. Let the chuckles begin and the guffaws grow. A catered lunch will follow. All Saratoga area seniors, 55 plus are welcome. Call the Temple Sinai Havurah Vatik reservation line at (518) 584-8730, ext. 4. Bus Trip to House of Ephesus Shrine & Chapel in Vermont The bus trip will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 and is sponsored by Ct. Stella Maris, #396 Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Bus departs at 8 a.m. from Notre Dame Visitation, Schuylerville, will pick up at K-Mart, Greenwich and St. Patrick’s Church, Cambridge. Please bring your own lunch and beverage. Scheduled return will be approximately 5 to 5:30 p.m. Cost is $25.00 per person, payment is due at registration. For reservations and information, please call Marvil Patrick, (518) 695-3385. Monthly Indoor Craft and Garage Sale On Sunday, September 25, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. the popular Elks Ladies Auxiliary Indoor Craft and Garage Sale will take place at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Club
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016 off Maple Avenue on Elks Lane. Admission is free with over 40 vendors. Great parking, bargains galore, lunch, books, household items, sports equipment, handmade items, clothing, jewelry, party vendors, pet supplies and just about anything you can imagine may be found here. New vendors are signing up every month. Rain or shine. A fun activity the entire family enjoys. Come browse, visit, eat, or just get out of the house with a friend. All proceeds go to our local charities. All markets are held the fourth Sunday of each month: next sales dates are October 23, November 13 and an extra date on November 27. Tables are $15 for an 8 ft. table; call (518) 289-5470 for information or to sign up for a table(s). Open Mic Fundraiser Showcase your talent at SOUNDBYTES, Saratoga Soundtrack’s open mic fundraiser and we invite you to participate on Friday, October 7, 7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, located at 50 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs, NY. Performance time: 1 or 2 songs or 5 minutes, 16 acts only for 90 minutes show. NO application process/ audition. Age limit: If you are between 15 and 105, you are eligible to perform. Order of appearance will be given when intent to perform is received. Cost is $10 at the door suggested donation, including participants. Cash bar and snacks will be provided by Knights of Columbus If you are interested in performing, email your name or group name and contact information with a brief description of your talent to tcfit@aol.com by August 31. The 14th Annual “The Way We Were” Car Show The Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association and Saratoga Automobile Museum will, once again, partner to bring the 14th Annual “The Way We Were” Car Show is to be held Sunday, October 9, 2016 from 9 a.m. - 40 p.m. on Front St. in Ballston Spa. The rain date will be October 16. The public is invited to come stroll our historic village, check out the hundreds of cars and trucks on display, and enjoy the music, vendors and downtown businesses. It’s a great day for the whole family. For more information, visit www. ballston.org or call (518) 885-2772.
Fall Craft Fair and Bake Sale The American Legion Auxiliary at Post 1450, located on Grooms Rd. in Halfmoon is planning their annual fall craft fair and bake sale for October 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crafters who are interested in attending can email alcraftshow@aol. com for more information. Seeking Volunteers The Saratoga National Cemetery Support Committee is seeking volunteers that can help out at the cemetery. The Support Committee works with the Director of the cemetery to provide help at cemetery functions. The committee meets at the cemetery every 3rd Wednesday of the month. If you would like to volunteer to help out or for more information please contact John Mehan at (518) 664-2797 or the Cemetery Administration Office at (518) 581-9128. You do not have to be a veteran to volunteer, male and female volunteers are needed. Community Connections Your free hour could change a senior’s life. Volunteers needed. Do you have an hour to assist with visiting, transportation, shopping & more? Please contact Kris at (518) 584-1621 ext. 208. Learning to Live with Your New Normal Are you…Living with a chronic condition like arthritis, heart disease, osteoporosis or diabetes? Interested in exploring new ways to manage your condition? Through participation in this evidence based Chronic Disease Self- Management Program you can educate and empower yourself with techniques to manage ongoing health conditions. Topics covered will include nutrition, exercise, medication management, dealing with stress and difficult emotions. Free training materials and light refreshments will be provided. Please contact Janet Haskell @ RSVP 884-4110 for information and details on Living Healthy and to register for this class. We will be starting a 6 week workshop series at the Milton Community Center located at 310 Northline Rd., Ballston Spa on Mondays from 1:30 to 4p.m., September 12, 19,2 6 and October 3, 17, 24. The Saratoga County Office for the Aging and Center for Excellence are partnering together to offer these workshops.
Send your local briefs to calendar@saratogapublishing.com two weeks prior to the event.
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016 to use, and a tripod if possible. It is recommended that participants know the basics of their camera already. Space is limited; RSVP by calling (518) 587-5554. The event is free, but donations are greatly appreciated.
Family Friendly Event
Friday, August 19 Discover Brazil Saratoga Springs Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Through hands-on stations and activities, students explore three major regions of Brazil and how climate, geography and natural resources affect the way people live. For children in Grades 3 and up. For more information and other events visit www.sspl.org.
Theater: Little Shop of Horrors Bernhard Theater, Skidmore Campus, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. (Friday and Saturday) Saratoga Children’s Theater presents the popular musical comedy. Tickets sold at the door. $10 general admission, children 10 and under free. For more information call (518) 430-7423.
Saturday, August 20 14th Annual Jail House Rock 5K Race Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton St., Ballston Spa, 8:30 a.m. Proceeds from this fundraiser will support our collection, preservation efforts and the education programs that we offer to thousands of local children. For more information or to register call (518) 885-4000 or visit www.brooksidemuseum.org.
Saratoga PLAN to Host Nature Photography Workshop Orra Phelps Preserve, Wilton, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. A photography seminar with photographer Linda Eastman. Learn how to capture the beauty of the natural world through photography. Everyone will receive personal advice and suggestions on their work. Participants should bring their camera, any lenses they wish
10th Annual Clifton Park Elks Car, Truck and Bike Show Clifton Park Elks Lodge, 695 MacElroy Road, Ballston Lake, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. All years and makes of cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome. Fun, music, 50/50 raffles, and great food. Registration ($10) starts at 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. and awards at 3:30 p.m. Spectators are free. Rain Date is Sunday, August 21. For information call Mike Bendetti @ (518) 495-0240 or Dick Campion (518) 928-8725. Email: CarShow@cliftonparkelks. org.
SommerFest St. Peter Lutheran Church, 2776 Route 9 (across from Malta DriveIn), Malta, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. There will be a tag sale, food, and free family fun activities. All proceeds to benefit social services camp program for local children. For more information call the church at (518) 583-4153 (leave message).
Sunday, August 21 Breakfast Buffet Saratoga-Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Rt. 9, Saratoga Springs, 8:30 – 11 a.m. Donation Requested: Adults $10, Seniors and Military (Active/ Retired with ID Card) $9, Children 5—12 $8, Under 5 Free, Take-outs $10. Call (518) 584-2585 for more information.
10th Annual Trooper Joseph Longobardo 5k Walk/Run Saratoga Spa State Park, Orenda Pavilion, 10 a.m. This is a family walk/run event that raises money for the Trooper Joseph Longobardo Memorial Scholarship. All proceeds go to High School students that are pursuing a career in Criminal Justice. Kids fun run, bounce house and BBQ following the race. Parking for this event is located in the SPAC parking lot. There will be no fee for the park that day. For more information call (518) 461-5769.
CALENDAR 29 Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Summer Stroll: Down in the Valley: Exploring the Gut
Tuesday, August 23 American Pharoah: The Untold Story of the Triple Crown Winner’s Legendary Rise
SE Corner of Phila and Putnam Streets (Ben & Jerry’s) Ellen Steinberger will conduct a tour of the area behind Broadway known as “The Gut,” home to many working class family businesses and important contributions from Saratoga’s Jewish community.
Northshire Bookstore, 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 5 p.m. A presentation from award-winning sports journalist and author Joe Drape, as he shares his definitive account of American Pharoah’s quest for the Triple Crown. For more information, visit www.northshire. com.
Car & Motorcycle Show
Potluck and Movie Night
Mr Bill’s Car Hop, 3 Trieble Ave. , Ballston Spa, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Open to all makes and models. Thirty trophies with two Best Of Show’s. Registration $15 on day of the show. Dash plaques to the first 100 cars. Registration givebacks with DJ Andy spinning the tunes. Free admission for spectators. Show contact: Bill (518) 664-7466, oldcorvettes@gmail. com - rain cancellation visit: www. CapitalCarShows.com
Evening Vespers Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church, 24 Circular St, Saratoga Springs, 7 p.m. Join us on the lawn for an al fresco worship experience of prayers and music, Sunday evenings in August. This is a casual service, so please come as you are. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. Visitors welcome. For information, call (518) 584-6091.
Monday, August 22 History, Legends, Lore and More Guided Walking Tour Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center, 297 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 10:30 – Noon A 90-minute walking tour that concentrates on historic Congress Park and the colorful characters who helped make Saratoga what it is. This guided tour of legends and lore will walk you through history while sipping the famous mineral waters and strolling through the Victorian Congress park. Cost is $8 for adults, children under 12 free. For more information call (518) 587-3241.
Woodlawn Commons, 156 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, 5:30 p.m. Bring a dish to share. Enjoy some spiritual community and watch an inspiring Spiritual Cinema flick. Donations welcome. For more information, visit www. newthoughtnewyork.org or call (518) 518-366-9918.
Saratoga Friends Saratoga Springs Public Library, Susman Room, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. A social group for baby boomers who are new (or not) to the Saratoga area and are interested in making new friends to socialize with. This is not a dating or “singles” group. Couples and singles are welcome and there is no membership fee. Group members plan social activities based on their interests. For more information contact newsaratogafriends@gmail.com or join our www.Meetup.com.
Horses, History & Handicapping Series Longfellows Conference Center, 500 Union Ave., Hiawatha Room, Saratoga Springs, 7-8:30 p.m. Speaker: Teresa Genaro - turf writer. Sponsored by ThoroFan. Open to the public. $15 at the door. Admission includes snacks and beverage. For more information, please call the Academy at (518) 587-2100 ext. 2415, www.esc.edu/all.
Wednesday, August 24 Volkswalk for Fun, Fitness and Friendship Start point: Dominick Pasquale Recreational Field, Haven Rd, Round Lake, 9 a.m. & 6 p.m. Register 30 minutes before start. A volkswalk is a leisurely walk
(typically 10k or 6.2 miles. A 3 mile route is also offered) through a scenic and or historic area over a pre-marked trail. Information is available at www.ava.org or www. walkescv.org.
Guided Mindful Meditation Saratoga Springs Public Library, Susman Room, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Take a break from the daily grind and clear your mind with guided Mindful Meditation led by professionals from One Roof Holistic Health Center. Free and open to the public. For more information, call (518) 584-7860 ext. 205.
Southern Dinner Saratoga-Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Rt. 9, Saratoga Springs, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Donation Requested: $12 adults, $11. Seniors (62 years) and Military (Active or Retired) with ID card, $8 Children 5-12. Children under 5 Free, $12 All Take-outs. Cash Bar Available. Call (518) 584-2585 for more information.
Bicycle Tour Saratoga National Historic Park, Route 4 and State Route 32, Stillwater, 6 – 8 p.m. A free, ranger guided 5 mile bike tour of Saratoga Battlefield. Meet in the parking lot. In case of inclement weather, bike tour will be cancelled. Bring your bike, water, and insect repellent. Helmets required. For more information, (518) 670-2985.
Thursday, August 25 Free Concert in the Park Wiswall Park, Front St., Ballston Spa, 6 – 8 p.m. The concert series is free to the public. This week’s concert features . Sirsy (Indie Rock). For more information, visit www.ballston.org.
Barber Shop on Broadway Downtown Saratoga Springs, 6:30 – 9 p.m. The award-winning Racing City Chorus will present its seventh season of strolling a cappella performances of standards, pop songs and patriotic numbers on the sidewalks of downtown Saratoga Springs during the thoroughbred race meet.
Send your calendar events to calendar@saratogapublishing.com two weeks prior to the event.
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Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
Puzzles Across 1 City on the South Saskatchewan River 12 It’s about 5 mL 15 Over 16 Cut (into) 17 Factor in cold waves 18 Boomer’s offspring 19 Put in 20 Senseless 21 Jazz duo? 22 Answered back 24 Drivetrain component, perhaps 26 Southwestern language 28 Brawn 29 Sign of shock 33 Diamond shape 35 Star movers 37 Runs through 39 Take time to answer 41 Mail 42 Save for later, in a way 44 City southwest of Bayeux 45 Woodstock performer before Sly 47 Ecua. rejoined it in 2007 49 Hail Mary 51 Charges for rounds 56 Newspaper section 57 Goya’s “La __ vestida” 59 Washington portraitist 60 Star Wars letters 61 December-to-May fruit 63 RBI producer, perhaps 64 Outlet worker 65 Stick-__ 66 1623 Shakespeare work, with “The” Down 1 Blues 2 “Waterworld” orphan girl 3 Strikes out 4 Apple purchases 5 Mexico’s Sea of __ 6 Journalist Kupcinet 7 Krypton relative 8 Ancient Italian region 9 Opposite of “stand” 10 They multiply by dividing 11 Drive handle 12 Like churches, as a rule
See puzzle solutions on page 54
See puzzle solution on page 54 13 Common abrasive 14 Intrinsically 21 The Marx Brothers, e.g. 23 Deceive 25 Bug but good 27 Home in the woods 29 Meas. of course performance 30 Brand with a Jumpman logo 31 Meaning 32 Fine points 34 Letters sometimes seen before a phone no. 36 Nestle’s __-Caps 38 Cheat 40 1924 co-defendant 43 Court complaint 46 Horn of Africa native
48 Cousins of clam diggers 49 Western ring 50 Expert 52 Jerk, say 53 Patty Hearst alias 54 __ bloom: pond vegetation 55 __ Bag: eponymous ‘70s designer label 58 Old, in Oldenburg 61 Additional 62 Legend on ice
Writing the Right Word by Dave Dowling
Accuracy in word choice is a key to effective communication. In your daily writing and speaking, try to make sure you use the right word in the right place with the right spelling. By doing so, its effect will affect your communication in a positive way. This quick weekly tip will help you filter the confusion in some of our daily word choices. This Week: Calamity, Calumny Calamity is a great misfortune or disaster. A hurricane would be a calamity for this low coastal region. Calumny is a falsehood maliciously made to hurt one’s reputation. The charges were pure calumny in an effort to embarrass them. Dave Dowling is the author of The Wrong Word Dictionary and The Dictionary of Worthless Words. Both books are available from many book retailers, and signed copies can be obtained by contacting Dave at davedowling59@yahoo.com
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
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Photos by Francesco D’Amico
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Pretty Cool, Bud! Clydesdales Hit Our Neighborhood See Page 36
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Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
THE SOCIETY PAGES WRITER CARRIE ROWLANDS JOHNSON / PHOTOS ALICE COREY PHOTOGRAPHY
The performers from The School of The Arts are in a League of their own! Mary and Andrew Olechowski
L
Laura DiRado, Rosalie DiRado
Honoree Patricia Wilde
Grace under Duress – Grace Triumphs Over Duress The National Museum of Dance’s “Dancing Athlete” Gala – Saturday, August 13 amp shades teeter atop tall, slender bodies clothed in green stockings, the glow emanating from these performance artists alone in the mission to light the foyer and ball room at The National Dance Museum (NMD) during the Dancing Athlete Gala on Saturday, August 13. The grand entrance, built to guide guests through a spectacular new exhibit so carefully planned by the gala’s hostess, philanthropist and socialite Michele Riggi, forced to close as water dripped through the sopping canvas and onto the red carpet beneath.
But even the worst storm of the summer - showboating and bragging in the form of hard rains, stalled traffic, blown power and flooded streets throughout the city were no match for Michele Riggi… and the show did go on, as graceful as the hostess herself. And it was perhaps the best party of the summer gala season. Within minutes of the blackout, Riggi had generators on their way to the National Museum of Dance. Meantime, candles licked at their wicks, adding a romantic flair and Great Gatsby feel to the party, Michele Riggi’s pet project held every year to raise money for the dance museum. Guests dressed in tuxedos and floor length gowns sipped cocktails and posed for fun photos with the roaming performance artists, decked out in full body paint and costume. As they wandered to the simple yet exquisite tables set for dinner service, they turned their attention to the middle of the room, where Riggi, dressed in her second outfit of the night, payed homage to dancing athletes near and far. Gregory Hines and Patricia Wilde were this year’s honorees, inducted into the museum’s Hall of fame. Riggi gave special mention to Saratoga’s very own John Witt, former member of the US Olympic Freestyle Ski Team, and member of the NMD Board, after which MOMIX dancers donning golden skis delighted and entertained. After dinner and dancing, generators lit the way for some guests to double back through the well-planned exhibits before leaving with Riggi’s very special souvenir gift. Even more irony on sweet Michele’s side tonight - her pre-ordered selection…. a gorgeous designer candle, of course. -Carrie Rowlands Johnson Carrie Rowlands Johnson is owner of the blogging bar and a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Blake Realtors in Saratoga. She is a freelance writer for Simply Saratoga Magazine. Alice Corey is owner of Alice Corey Photography. Together they cover the social scene in Saratoga, offering you a sneak peek inside charity galas and fundraising parties. If you’d like your event featured, email us at thebloggingbar@gmail.com
Johnny Joseph, MacKenzie Matthews
Nicole Marie Rich, “Goldie,” Sandra Foley
Michele Riggi, NMD Director and School of the Arts Director, Raul P. Martinez
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Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
THE SOCIETY PAGES WRITTEN BY MAUREEN WERTHER – PHOTOS BY SARATOGAPHOTOGRAPHER.COM
2016 Saratoga WarHorse Board of Directors: David Cornell, Brian Spearman, Anne Campbell, Paul Oreffice, Sharyn Neble and Jim Price
“T
Congressman Paul Tonko and Bob Nevins, Saratoga WarHorse Founder and Director of Veteran Program
Attendees of the Gala watch as images of veteran graduates of the “Connection” program with “their” horses scroll throughout the night
Blue Spangled Evening Salutes Heroes of the Track and the Battlefield here’s something about the outside of a horse that’s good for the inside of a man.” Those words, spoken by Winston Churchill, epitomize the mission of Saratoga Warhorse Foundation. Its annual fundraising event, “Blue Spangled Evening,” held at the Hall of Springs and emceed by CBS News 6 Anchor, Liz Bishop, brought together both horse lovers and supporters of our country’s veterans. There were also a number of veterans present, many of whom have benefitted from the work of the Warhorse Foundation. It was an elegant evening with a violin duo accompanying lively conversation as guests enjoyed champagne and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a delightful dinner catered by Mazzone Hospitality.
Speakers included Brian Spearman, Saratoga Warhorse Chairman, Dr. John Rigg, M.D., and Program Director of Traumatic Brain Injury at Eisenhower Army Medical Center, and Immediate Past President of the Warhorse Board, Paul Oreffice, who introduced the evening’s honoree, Anne Campbell. As a founding board member of Saratoga Warhorse Foundation, Inc., Anne has worked tirelessly to raise funds needed to offer new hope for veterans struggling to adjust to life after combat. Her “boundless energy and commitment to service” was recognized and applauded by her peers.
Jeffrey Minton, Fasig Tipton Auctioneer raises money for WarHorse through a Live and Reverse Auction
Bob Nevins, founder of Saratoga Warhorse, flew helicopter missions over Vietnam, helping to extract wounded soldiers from the field of battle. Bob, himself, was wounded in action in 1971. After years of reading about the record number of suicides among his fellow vets, he decided it was time to do something about it. In 2011, he left his career as a pilot with American Eagle and started Warhorse. Four years later, the Foundation is gaining national attention as veterans, who have participated in the three-day experience with rescued thoroughbreds, walk away with a renewed desire to be part of life once again. “For me, it’s so emotionally gratifying to see veterans who go through this program return from the dead,” said Nevins. “We have 500 graduates from the program and it just keeps on growing.” The evening ended with a live auction, with Auctioneer Jeff Minton, which included a seven-night stay for four in Tuscany and a three-day fly-fishing getaway for two in the legendary waters of Southwest Montana.
Bill and Sandy Tucker with WarHorse Staff: Katherine Pelham Executive Director and Mary Katherine Philipp, Aiken Director
Bob Nevins (right) Founder of Saratoga WarHorse and Carol Hopper on left
Emcee, Liz Bishop shines bright with praise for the work being done on behalf of veterans and off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTB’s) through the Saratoga WarHorse “Connection” program
The Honoree herself, Anne Campbell
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Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
TOBY KEITH FOR PRESIDENT: 2016 by Nikia Harris for Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — Toby Keith related to the crowd at SPAC (on Sunday, August 14) on numerous occasions, handing out guitar picks, giving high fives - even placing a rose in his mouth given to him from an ecstatic fan. He was fun to watch, and seemed to be comfortable in the town we call home. Being on a tour called Interstate and Tailgates, I think it is just what he needed almost nearing the end of his 5-month tour. I happened to cross paths with the keyboardist and bassist, Toby Keith refers to them as the knuckleheads, but I didn’t bring that up. I asked the keyboardist how many times he played here in Saratoga. T.Rex thought quickly and responded with “I don’t know, like 7 or 8,” so in return I asked him if this was one of his greater shows of the tour, and he chuckled as he reflected the night and replied that “this one was the best SPAC show yet” After giving him a handshake and praising him, I told him to have a good night. I was star-struck.
The reason being, is Toby Keith in my eyes, is a true cowboy. The band, which backs him up, backs us up, in return we back them up, and there you have it, we have a nation. He wears collard denim button up shirts, and starched jeans with a nice big belt buckle that would leave an imprint for days if he ever whipped you with it. Not saying that is one of my fantasies, but more leading to “I’m built tough” so I could handle it if the occasion were to ever arise. Which is why I fit in the crowd oh so perfectly well. His face I remember seemed the same, but the impression his voice left on me, was very familiar. He sang songs that I rocked out too while on my daily drives to work in the morning, like his catchy “ I wanna talk about me” single that came out in 2009, he also sang “I love this bar”, and “how do you like me now?” He even brought back the “red solo cup” a melody belonging in a bar room that caused a lot of controversy when it came out. When I looked around the venue, I couldn’t help but notice a lot of screen-printed shirts promoting the service men of America,
NAVY, ARMY, EMTs, Firefighters, Policemen, and small-town businesses. I also was overwhelmed with seeing and this isn’t exaggerating, more than 100 American flags at one time, whether it was painted onto a pretty blonde with high cheek bones, or it be graphically mastered onto a shirt, or a patch on a hat. The best one I saw was a denim vest with the flag painted on the front - accessorized with a yellow straw cowboy hat and rose engraved cowgirl boots stained a red copper tone. The crowd grew quiet when he started to sing his new song “ a few more cowboys” and they were listening intently. The song was about how this world today needed a few more cowboys, to make the world a better place, with its simple nature, yet powerful outcomes of the way they live in this country. That is why we should elect Toby Keith as president. He ranks up there with George Strait, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, and a guy Toby paid tribute to last night Merle Haggard. These powerful gentlemen I just named have a personal impact on my own life,
Toby Keith. Photo by Francesco D’Amico
a small-town girl with a knack for clotheslines and lightning bugs. Being a cowboy, to me, is an honor. Cowboys honor others as well, like Toby toasting to the service men of our country, and hand picking eleven members of the crowd to stand on stage while he was brought out for an encore. Funny thing is, the patrons
weren’t chanting “encore” they were chanting “USA”. Toby Keith and his band united some of the best hard working, patriotic, selfless, genuine people together last night, and made us remember what America used to be. It gives me hope that one day, it will be how it was when I was very young, and America had a dream.
90s Rock Stars Take on SPAC! by Allison Capasso for Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — Two of rock music’s most established artists performed at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Monday, August 15. Rob Thomas and Counting Crows filled the crowd with positive vibes as they both played a variety of songs for all concertgoers to enjoy. First up after K Phillips was Rob Thomas, the pop rock artist who was previously the lead singer of the hit 90s band Matchbox Twenty. Thomas put on an incredibly energetic show and was extremely engaged with the crowd. He played many of his older Matchbox Twenty classics, such as ‘3 AM’ and ‘Bent’, as well as many of his hits as a solo artist, including
‘This Is How A Heart Breaks’ and a song off his most recent record The Great Unknown – ‘Heaven Help Me’. His set was filled with many uplifting moments. “It’s about love. It’s about acceptance. It’s about both of those things that make the world goround,” said Thomas to the audience in reference to his feel-good song ‘Someday.’ The venue was filled with bright lights when Thomas encouraged the crowd to take out the flashlights on their phones during ‘Pieces.’ Of course, Thomas couldn’t forget the iconic 90s Santana hit that he¹s featured on, ‘Smooth.’ He ended his set the way that he always does, with a simple yet meaningful quote: “Be good to each other.’
Next up was Counting Crows. In contrast to Thomas, CC focused more on their more emotional and lesser-known tracks, including ‘Catapult’ and ‘Sessions’, as well as a very moving performance of their ballad ‘Colorblind’. It was very evident throughout the whole set that lead singer and front man Adam Duritz really felt the emotion in each song, and truly meant every lyric that he put out into the crowd. “We’re not the type of band who plays all the stuff that you know,” he told the audience, before they transitioned into one of the group¹s most popular singles ‘Mr. Jones.’ Other crowd favorites included the opener of the night ‘Scarecrow’, as well as ‘Possibility Days’ and the start to their three-song encore ‘Palisades Park’, which
Counting Crows. Photo by Sharon Castro.
Duritz told me in a recent interview is one of his favorite songs to perform live. You can check out the interview, as well as more information about the band in our August 5 issue. Duritz also paid tribute to some local organizations during his encore, including Wellspring
and Saratoga PLAN, encouraging audience members to help out and donate, and urging those in need of help to reach out. While concluding the performance, Duitz called K Phillips and Rob Thomas “the two best guys on Earth”, and told SPAC: “We will be back!”
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Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
Far-m Out! by Mark Bolles for Saratoga TODAY Editor’s Note: I returned to Saratoga Springs (and Saratoga TODAY) after a year-plus sabbatical the week that Farm Aid was coming to SPAC, yet I had no chance of being there – as Mark says, there were no tickets to be had – for love, money, or media. Some of the staff at the time bought tickets – but they have all moved on. The one constant was Mark and his camera. Since he was the only one there, I asked him to re-create his thoughts from that day in writing. - Arthur Gonick September in Saratoga is the calm after the storm. Beyond Labor Day, there’s no more horsin’ around, the parties are over and the SPAC stage goes silent. Not the case for the famed concert venue in September 2013. Excitement instantly swelled when Farm Aid was announced. On the ticket: Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Jack Johnson, Dave Mathews and John Mellencamp to name a few.
The one-day grass roots festival was an instant sellout. The ‘farmy’ feeling swept through our agricultural region when celebrities of the Farm Aid organization visited family farms on the days leading to the big September 21 show-the last day of summer. It was also the last stage performance by Pete Seeger who passed away four months later. It is not on a sad note that I recollect Pete Seeger’s surprise performance (media and audience alike were made aware only minutes before Seeger took the stage). The folk legend’s message was celebrated and shared in voice as the stars of the festival together with an audience of twenty thousand sang an improvised version of ‘This Land is Your Land’ in which Seeger warns that fracking threatens our nation’s farmland. The memory of that last summer day in 2013 has faded but not the cause. Thanks to Pete Seeger, the Farm Aid performers and founders, local agriculture and family farms are better off. As for the concertgoers, they enjoyed one of the greatest days in SPAC’s 50-year history.
Going Out With a Bang Orchestra, CMS Poised for a Fantastic Finish! by Alex Kisiel for Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Philadelphia Orchestra will conclude their summer schedule at SPAC this year with a “Triple Threat” program at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 20. Led by conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the program will include Brahms’ Second Symphony, Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, and end with perennial favorite Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Beethoven’s Triple Concerto (officially, the Concerto for Violin, Piano, and Cello in C major, op. 56) will include Benjamin Beilman on the violin, David Finckel on the cello, and Wu Han playing the piano as soloists. Mr. Finckel and Ms. Han also serve as the artistic directors for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, performing at SPAC’s Little Theater. The yearly performance of the 1812 Overture will triumphantly round out the evening, appropriately punctuated both by cannon-fire during
the performance and a fireworks display directly afterwards. The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will also be finishing their season at SPAC this upcoming week on Tuesday, August 23. In their final program, entitled “Russian Fireworks,” the accomplished ensemble will be performing selections from Russian composers both wellknown and relatively obscure; the selected composers include Glière (Selected Duos for Two Cellos, Op. 53), Moszkowski (Suite in G minor for Two Violins and Piano, Op. 71), Rachmaninoff (Suite No. 2 in C minor for Two Pianos, Op. 17), and Tchaikovsky (Sextet for Two Violins, Two Violas, and Two Cellos, Op. 70, “Souvenir de Florence”). The intimate nature of the ensemble will be complemented by SPAC’s equally-intimate Spa Little Theater, which, in addition to their masterful skill level, will make for an assuredly excellent concert.
Photos by MarkBolles.com
Breakout Artist! K Phillips Takes the Stage by Allison Capasso for Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — Right before legendary rock stars Rob Thomas and Counting Crows took the stage at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Monday, August 15, a relatively new artist took the stage and blew the audience away with his soulful take on country blues. K Phillips, a Texas born country rock artist, opened up Monday’s show with his band The Concho Pearls”. Phillips, raised in West Texas by his grandparents, has had a passion for music since a young age, learning guitar at age 5 and playing in bar bands starting at age 14. Adam Duritz, front man of the Counting Crows, personally invited Phillips to join in on their summer tour after hearing some of his work. “It was like winning the lottery. Better than that, actually,” Phillips told me. “Adam sponsors a blog that wrote an article about me. He said that he’d been listening to some of my stuff.” Phillips had great praise for both CC and Thomas. “These
Photo by Sharon Castro.
guys don’t have to do anything nice for anyone. They’ve already made it. But they do,” he said. Being invited on this tour has given Phillips’ career a boost. He says that he’s noticed more and more people responding positively to his music. “There are 50 new fans on Facebook every day,”he told me. “By the end of this tour, I¹ll have played for around 500,000 people.” Counting Crows treated Phillips to a pleasant surprise at one of their shows on this tour. They played Phillips’ song ‘Kat’s Song’ during their set. “It was such a surprise,” he said. “I started crying.” Phillips has only been with his band, The Concho Pearls, for
about three months. Nonetheless, there’s no doubt that there is chemistry, both onstage and off. Phillips was very complimentary of SPAC. “This is the nicest venue,” he told me. What’s next? Phillips’ album, Dirty Wonder drops in October. A song, ‘Hadrian’, features Adam Duritz on backup vocals. I asked if Duritz had ever considered coming out during Phillips¹ set and singing it with him. “We’ve talked about it.” Phillips also said that he has an upcoming tour lined up with Jonny Lang. Out on a limb: Be sure to keep your eyes on this breakout artist.
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Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
Pretty Cool, Bud! Clydesdales Hit Our Neighborhood by Maisie Guzi and Arthur Gonick
Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales are in Saratoga Springs. Having arrived on Tuesday, August 16, they will be in the Capital Region through Sunday, August 21, with events in Saratoga Springs, Lake George, Troy and Altamont. The Clydesdale breed originated in Clydesdale, Scotland over 300 years ago. Canadians of Scottish decent brought the animals to America in the mid1800s, and they made their first appearance in correlation with Budweiser on April 7, 1933. August A. Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch presented 12 Clydesdales as a gift to their father in celebration of the repeal of Prohibition, sparking a multiple-city tour of the six-horse hitch that delivered cases of Budweiser to each city. From there on out, Clydesdales became associated with the Budweiser brand. The Clydesdales have spent
the summer of 2016 on tour, hitching their famous red beer wagon in hundreds of locations across the country. To be considered for the job of hitch horse, a Clydesdale must be at least three years old, approximately 18 hands tall, weigh approximately 2,000 pounds, and have the signature Budweiser Clydesdale coloring and markings. On average, a single Clydesdale horse consumes 20-25 quarts of feed, 40-50 pounds of hay, and 30 gallons of water per day! The hitch is also accompanied by a Dalmatian, which has been the mascot of the Clydesdales since 1950, when a Dalmatian was introduced with the horses at the opening of the Newark Brewery. Originally, Dalmatians were trained to protect the horses and wagons while the drivers made deliveries; today, they are simply another symbol of Budweiser. In Saratoga Springs, the horses are stabled in the Warming Hut in the Saratoga Spa State Park. Stable viewings are held daily and open to the public beginning at 10 a.m.; everyone is invited to come
take pictures with the horses or simply admire the impressive animals. On Wednesday, August 17, the Clydesdales had their first of two “public workouts” – parading along the picturesque Avenue of the Pines from inside SPAC to their home base by the Warming Hut. The reaction was universally gushing: “I love, love, love the Clydesdales!” exclaimed Fred Clark, AKA ‘Saratoga’s Santa.’ “I was so happy my daughter, Lisa, saw this on Facebook and told me… I saw them at the race course in their last appearance a few years ago.” Clark played down rumors that he was scouting said Clydesdales as reindeer replacements should they come open on the free-agent market. “Well, they’re not as fast. Santa loves his reindeer,” he stated firmly, yet with a hohoho. Lucy Dwyer, age 12, was there on the Avenue with Aunt Molly and Grandma Sheila (visiting from Stuart, Florida). The seventh grade student at Maple
Photos by Francesco D’Amico
Avenue Middle School said it was her first time seeing the “pretty horses” up close and personal. “Aunt Molly told me about it!” she said. Molly also learned about it from Facebook, in this case a group page called “Signs You Live in Saratoga Springs.” Teddy Foster and her posse (all from Saratoga Springs) made it unanimous. “I’m just thrilled and delighted,” she said. “It’s my first
time seeing them, and it’s also a beautiful evening!” Her friend Tammy supplemented Teddy’s thoughts by saying “Yet another reason why we love this town,” Tammy said. Lena was thrilled to see the mighty steeds receive their bath earlier in the day; and Donna (who insisted on opining that she plans to never plans to grow up, Continued on page 37.
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016 Photos by Francesco D’Amico
37 PULSE The Most Interesting Entertainment Mix in The World! SARATOGA SPRINGS — As we proceed into a pre-Travers feeding, dancing and grooving frenzy – a
by Arthur Gonick Saratoga TODAY
reminder: Let’s be careful out there! Having said that, let’s roll through a sampling of some cool stuff.
Horror-fying! Photos by MarkBolles.com
Indeed, if you think you navigated through treacherous waters in last Saturday’s storm – that was only to prepare you for the tempest ahead. All of which is to say that the highly prolific Saratoga Children’s Theatre will have live performances of Little Shop of Horrors at the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard (JKB) Theater at Skidmore College, on Friday August 19 and Saturday August 20 at 1 and 7 p.m. Local teens, ranging in age from 13-18 will be starring in the musical which has been directed by Chris Stefani, along with music director Dan Lyng. All tickets are sold at the door. General admission: Continued from page 36.
is a season ticket holder for the “Clydes” of sorts – this was her fifth time seeing the stallions – two in Florida (Busch Gardens, naturally). The Clydesdales will also be making various other appearances throughout their stay in the Capital Region, including the Charles R. Wood Park in Lake George, the Altamont Fair, and the Troy Valley Cats baseball field at Hudson Valley Community College. Locally, It’s not too late to catch a glimpse of these amazing horses: come to the Avenue of the Pines in Saratoga Spa State Park on Friday, August 19 at 6:30 p.m. and watch the awe-inspiring Clydesdale parade.
$10. Kids 10 and under: FREE. Refreshments will be available. In ‘Shop,’ meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” – after his coworker crush. This foulmouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame
and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination! For more information, visit saratogachildrenstheatre.org or call 518-430-7423.
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Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
One Blond Joke Double Down on This! and You’re Done!
Yes, yes – you want to pull them apart and tell them to play nice, but that’s not in the cards. Besides, where would you grab hold of them? Meet Carrie “The Spine Manipulator” Petko, Mikki “I can tackle you with one look” Quinones, and Jill “The Whippet” Mason -members and supporters of the blond team, which will be battling their brunette counterparts in a - yes - special flag football tilt at Skidmore College on Saturday, September 10 at 5 p.m. for an excellent cause: To benefit North Eastern Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. We caught the blondes and brunettes in rare training camp mode, fundraising at Baileys Café for their teams’ (no doubt) designer uni’s and other items.
Raffles and giveaways galore were in evidence, as was glamorous hair flipping and goodnatured trash talking. This much is clear: We have identified an event that deserves intensive scrutiny and close-up wraparound coverage as the B v. B’s proceed through training camp and onto Skidmore’s Wachenheim Field for game day action. It will take discipline and commitment on our part to do so, but we believe we are up to the challenge. If we fail, well – what a way to go! Find out more game day info and the very, very good works that the Alzheimer’s Association does in our community by visiting act.alz.org.
MALTA — You gotta give props to Mark Rose. Equally adept at any genre he chooses - Mark was a founding member of the rock powerhouse that took this market by storm (Ten Year Vamp). He now sets his sights on 222 5th Avenue South – which happens to be the address of the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN! Before polishing his speech whilst traveling to the Central Time Zone, Mark and his mates – known as Double Down & Hardways
– make a pit stop at Nanola (2639 Route 9, Malta) – a great place for music that might get overlooked during these Saratoga-centric days of SPAC, Downtown and track, but is worth looking into for great New Orleans cuisine and fine, diverse music offerings. Mark Rose has assembled another powerhouse lineup of band mates. Pictured are left to right: John Birchenough (lead guitar), Jessalyn Rose (vocals), Greg Nash (drums),
Mark Rose (vocals and acoustic guitar), Michael Schoeppler (Bass and vocals). Not pictured is Tucker James (Fiddle) – he must have snuck into Nanola’s kitchen for some gator bites and crawfish hushpuppies. DD & H, and Nanola itself are two great reasons to throw caution to the wind and negotiate the nuances of Malta’s roundabouts. See them both together on Friday, August 19. Everything Nanola may be derived by visiting NanolaMalta.com.
Go (Pink Talking) Fish on Saturday! Maybe all these fish stories have come about because of last Saturday’s torrential rain… but I digress again. How about a viewpoint from ace music critic (see page 34) Nikia Harris: “Pink Talking Fish is something I would imagine as possibly a giant pink gilled slippery fish, with fat lips and a tail that flops to and fro while speaking uncontrollably. But here you have a band created to incorporate three major icons in the music industry: Pink Floyd, The Talking Heads, and Phish… Pink Talking Fish has created a fan base that revolves around the love of three major music talents and yet they appear to have mastered the fact that they are their own band, collaborating with tunes from other influences like the pop star Michael Jackson. They will be returning to our town at the end of their fall tour, and will be showing us love, just like we have shown them in the recent years. Come to Putnam Den this Saturday at 8:30 p.m. to catch a glimpse of this band that has the town talking. If you are missing something from your life, Pink Talking Fish will fill the void.” I can get behind that. Admission is $15 for PTF, with Hayley Jane and the Primates opening. There is an extra $5 surcharge if you are 18,19, or 20 years of age. All these and other Den-nuggets are at your fingertips at putnamden.com.
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
39 PULSE
Go Fish(man) Friday Night! Critically-acclaimed composer, guitarist, songwriter, singer and bandleader Howard Fishman has toured the world as a headliner for nearly two decades, fronting ensembles versed in pop, New Orleans jazz, country, bluegrass, classical, punk, gospel and experimental music, but tied to no particular genre. That is, however, a lot of commas for one paragraph. But I digress.
Howard and his band will play at Universal Preservation Hall on Friday, August 19. Doors open at 7 p.m., show
starts at 7:30. Tickets are $30 at door. Cash bar available all evening.
Local Actors Guild of Saratoga presents ‘9 to 5’ at 8 and 2 The Local Actors Guild of Saratoga (LAGS), in its tenth year of productions, will present 9 to 5 the Musical. Since the company opened in 2006, more than 200 different actors, technicians and stagehands from the local area have taken the stage at the Dee Sarno Theater at the Saratoga Arts Center (320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Several of the alumni of LAGS can be found on professional stages, on TV and in film throughout the country. “I’m proud of the quality productions LAGS produces every year, and am excited to continue to bring some of the best of American theater to the stage here in Saratoga,” said founder and artistic director, JJ Buechner. “We’ve done 38 different shows in the years that the Local Actors Guild has been around, and we continue to have the most affordable seats in the Capital District,” said Buechner. “I believe that folks will come and truly enjoy our take on the popular 9 to 5 musical.” 9 To 5 The Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970s this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought provoking, and even a little romantic. Pushed to the boiling point, three female co-workers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy - giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give the ol’ workplace a dream makeover,
taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she? Well, I suppose she can… as long as she doesn’t go all blond on us. There’s that digressing thing again.
Yet I maintain course long enough to note that performances are August 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. Sunday matinees are August 21 and 28 at 2pm. $20 General Admission. For reservations, call 518-393-3496.
PULSE
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Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
week of 8/19-8/25 friday, 8/19: Erin Powers, 630 pm @ Kraverie — 450.7423 Blues House Rockers, 9 pm @ Bailey’s — 583.6060 Just Nate, 9 pm @ Bentley’s — 899.4300 Bill Staines, 7 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583.0022 Take 2, 7 pm @ Carson’s Woodside Tavern — 584.9791 Master Cylinders, 10 pm @ Caroline St. Pub — 583.9400 High Peaks Trio, 9 pm @ Druthers — 306.5275 Rick Bolton + Jeff Walton, 5 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359 Rich Ortiz, 9 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359 Ryan Clark, 6 pm @ Gideon Putnam — 584.3000 Leah Woods Trio, 10 pm @ Harvey’s — 583.0003 Audiostars, 7 pm @ Horseshoe Inn — 587.4909 Double Down + Hardways, 8 pm @ Nanola — 587.1300 New Regime, 9 pm @ 9 Maple Avenue — 583.2582 Al + Kathy Bain, 6 pm @ Olde Bryan Inn — 587.2990 Mark Kleinhaut, 6 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 The North + South Dakotas, 9 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 John Stack, 7 pm @ Peabody’s — 886.8673 Curly Lamb Duo (Inside), 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Toga Boys (Outside), 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Given to Fly, 10 pm @ Putnam Den — 584.8066 Just Looking, 8 pm @ Saratoga City Tavern — 581.3230 Electric City Horns, 5:30 pm @ Siro’s — 584.4030 Mike Gaffney, 8/10 pm @ The Comedy Works — 275.6897 Beatin’ the Odds, 9 pm @ The Mill — 899.5253 Latin Night, 8 pm @ The Newberry Music Hall — 877.565.3849 Kevin McKrell Band, 9 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916 Seth Warden Trio, 6 pm @ The Saratoga Winery — 584.9463 Howard Fishman + Band, 7:30 pm @ Univ Preservation Hall — 584.2627 Rob Aronstein, 7 pm @ Wishing Well — 584.7640
@ Caffè Lena — 583.0022
@ Saratoga City Tavern — 581.3230
Franklin Micare Duo, 7 pm @ Carson’s Woodside Tavern — 584.9791
Dirt Cheap, 5:30 pm @ Siro’s — 584.4030
Crazy Head Mazie, 10 pm @ Caroline St. Pub — 583.9400
Hot Club of Saratoga noon @ The Merry Monk 584.6665
The Remainders, 9 pm @ Druthers — 306.5275
Kevin McKrell, 9 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916
Virgil Cain, 9 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359
Kevin Kinney, 3 pm @ The Saratoga Winery — 584.9463
Frank Loscavo, 6 pm @ Gideon Putnam — 584.3000
Dollard/Panza, 7 pm @ Wishing Well — 584.7640
Pat Decker, 8 pm @ Saratoga City Tavern — 581.3230
monday, 8/22:
Motown Night, 8 pm @ The Newberry Music Hall — 877.565.3849
The Refrigerators, 7 pm @ Horseshoe Inn — 587.4909 Tim Oritz on the Roof, 6 pm @ Harvey’s — 583.0003 Arch Stanton Quartet, 9 pm @ 9 Maple Avenue — 583.2582 Matt McCabe + Gary Blodgett, 6 pm @ Olde Bryan Inn — 587.2990 Chuck Lamb, 6 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 Matt Mirabile, 9 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 George Giroux (Inside), 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Dan Sherwin (Outside), 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Pink Talking Fish w/ Hayley Jane + The Primates, 8:30 pm @ Putnam Den — 584.8066 Rich Clements Band, 9 pm @ Saratoga City Tavern — 581.3230 Gary U.S. Bonds, 5:30 pm @ Siro’s — 584.4030 Mike Gaffney, 8/10 pm @ The Comedy Works — 275.6897 80s + 90s Dance, 8 pm @ The Newberry Music Hall — 877.565.3849 Kevin McKrell Band, 9 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916 Red Haired Strangers, 3 pm @ The Saratoga Winery — 584.9463 Rob Aronstein, 7 pm @ Wishing Well — 584.7640
sunday, 8/21: Rich Clements, 7 pm @ Bailey’s — 583.6060 Al Bruno, 9 pm @ Crown Grill — 583.1105 Steve Candlen, 3 pm @ Druthers — 306.5275 Sirsy, 8 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359 Toga Boys, 6 pm @ Horseshoe Inn — 587.4909
Emily Teller, 7 pm @ Bailey’s — 583.6060 Alan Payette, 6:30 pm @ Brook Tavern — 871.1473 Jeff Walton, 6 pm @ Horseshoe Inn — 587.4909 Tim Wechgelaer, 7:30 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 Matt Cosgrove, 8 pm @ Saratoga City Tavern — 581.3230
Andy Iorio (Inside), 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Just Nate (Outside), 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Master Cylinders, 5:30 pm @ Siro’s — 584.4030
Chris Coccia, 8/10 pm @ The Comedy Works — 275.6897
Celtic Session, 7 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916 Karaoke, 9 pm @ The Rusty Nail — 371.9875 Christine Spero, 7 pm @ Wishing Well — 584.7640
thursday, 8/25:
Surprise Band, 5:30 pm @ Siro’s — 584.4030
Pat Decker, 7 pm @ Bailey’s — 583.6060
tuesday, 8/23:
Open Mic, 10 pm @ Circus Café — 583.1106
Matty Finn, 6 pm Latin Night, 8 pm @ The Newberry Music Hall — 877.565.3849 @ Carney’s Tavern — 952.7177 Yellowdog, 10 pm Larry Finke, 7 pm @ Caroline St. Pub — 583.9400 @ Wishing Well — 584.7640 Rod Fraser, 7 pm @ Carson’s Woodside Tavern — 583.9400 Foldin’ Money, 7 pm @ Bailey’s — 583.6060 Garland Nelson Soulist, 7 pm @ Congress Park — 587.3241 Open Mic w/ Rick Bolton, 8 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359 Deena Chappell Trio, 7 pm @ Mouzon House — 226.0014 Frank Murray, 8 pm @ Saratoga City Tavern — 581.3230 Chris Coccia, 8/10 pm @ The Comedy Works — 275.6897 Off Track Band, 7 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916 Noreen Pratt, 7 pm @ Wishing Well — 584.7640
Ubuntu, 9 pm @ Druthers — 306.5275 Chris O’Leary Band, 8 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359 The New York Players, 6 pm @ Horseshoe Inn — 587.4909 Hot Club of Saratoga, 7 pm @ Mouzon House — 226.0014 Matt McCabe + Rick Bolton, 6 pm @ Olde Bryan Inn — 587.2990 Chris Carey + Mike O’Donnell, 8 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 Hungry Crows, 7 pm @ Peabody’s — 886.8673 Rich Ortiz, 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563
wednesday, 8/24: Knot Dead, 8:30 pm Steve Candlen @ Kraverie — 450.7423 Leah Woods, 7 pm @ Bailey’s — 583.6060
Funk Evolution, noon @ Nanola — 587.1300
R+B with Azzaam + Roosevelt, 7 pm @ Crown Grill — 583.1105
saturday, 8/20:
Cara May Gorman, 6 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026
Toga Boys, 8 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359
Funkalicious, 9 pm @ Bailey’s — 583.6060
Live Jazz Brunch, 10 am @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563
Hot Club of Saratoga, 8 pm @ Hamlet + Ghost — 450.7287
Jeff Brisbin, 8 pm
The Heaters, 6 pm @ Horseshoe Inn — 587.4909
Jonathan Edwards, 7 pm
The Masters of Nostalgia, 8:30 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026
@ Putnam Den — 584.8066 Grand Central Station, 5:30 pm @ Siro’s — 584.4030 Rock Garden, 8 pm @ Saratoga City Tavern — 581.3230 Chris Coccia, 8/10 pm @ The Comedy Works — 275.6897 Country Night, 8 pm @ The Newberry Music Hall — 877.565.3849 Celtic Session, 7 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916 Rob Aronstein, 7 pm @ Wishing Well — 584.7640
42 It’s where NEED to be.
YOU
Publication Day: Friday
Ad Copy Due: Wednesday, noon
Space Reservation Due: Monday, 5 p.m.
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE
classified@saratogapublishing.com
Call (518) 581-2480 x204
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WANTED TO BUY CASH FOR DIABETIC TEST STRIPS Up to $35/Box! Sealed & Unexpired.Payment Made SAME DAY. Highest Prices Paid!! Call JENNI Today! 800-413-3479 www.CashForYourTestStrips.com
DIVORCE DIVORCE $349 - Uncontested divorce papers prepared. Only one signature required. Poor person Application included if applicable. Separation agreements. Custody and support petitions. - 518-274-0380
MISCELLANEOUS SAWMILLS from only $4397.00- MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N
ADOPTION Unplanned Pregnancy? Need help? FREE assistance: caring staff, counseling and financial help. You choose the loving, pre-approved adoptive parents. Joy 1-866-922-3678. www. ForeverFamiliesThrough Adoption.org. Hablamos Espanol.
HEALTH IF YOU USED THE BLOOD THINNER XARELTO and suffered internal bleeding, hemorrhaging, required hospitalization or a loved one died while taking Xarelto between 2011 and the present time, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Attorney Charles H. Johnson 1-800-535-5727
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
MISC FOR SALE KILL BED BUGS & THEIR EGGS! Buy Harris Bed Bug Killers/ KIT Complete Treatment System. Available: Hardware Stores, The Home Depot, homedepot.com
AUTO DONATIONS Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 518-650-1110 Today!
LAND FOR SALE 83 Historic Farm Acres on the Vermont border. Half hour to Saratoga and Dorset Vt. Asking $180,000. Call 518-243-9695.
LOST AND FOUND Lost Cat on July 10 in Loughberry MHP area, Saratoga Springs, 2 yr. old female spayed, Calico cat with white belly and paws. Indoor cat. If you should see her, please call 518-450-9779.
43
GARAGE SALES 29 Cobble Hill Drive, Wilton, - Saturday, August 20, 9am - 1pm - household goods. No early birds. Funkiest Sale in Town - 4084 Rt 9N, Daily 10-5. Antiques, collectibles, etc. Come and check it out.
REAL ESTATE AUCTION LAKE GEORGE WATERFRONT HOME, Saturday, AUGUST 20, 2016,10:30AM, FORMER RESTAURANT, 9574 Lakeshore Dr. (Rt. 9), HAGUE, 4 DOCKS, DECK, Starting Bid $375,000, Bryce Real Estate, (518) 928-1231
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
BUSINESS OPPURTUNITY
Busy/profitable general country store w/18 seat restaurant (serving breakfast and lunch), full deli, groceries, large assortment of lodge and cabin gifts. On Beautiful Schroon Lake in Adirondack, New York. Includes all inventory, equipment and beautifully renovated apartment above store. Great opportunity for a lifestyle change. Asking $695,000/Negotiable. Inquire at adksell@gmail.com.
FOR RENT OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Resort Services. 1-800638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com
MORTGAGES
44
TRAVERS
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
Excellent ‘Taste’!
Inaugural Taste of Travers Celebration honors 2015 Travers winner Keen Ice and Donegal Racing by Arthur Gonick Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — Prestwick Chase at Saratoga presents the Inaugural Taste of Travers Celebration to benefit The Adult and Senior Center of Saratoga on Friday, August 26, from 6-10 p.m. at the National Museum of Dance (99 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs). This fun-filled Travers and Saratoga themed event will recognize 2015 Travers winner Keen Ice. Jerry and Linda Crawford of Donegal racing, Javier and Abby Castellano, Dale Romans and Tammy Fox are cochairs. The Owners of Prestwick Chase are committed to bringing back a Travers celebration to Saratoga Springs, similar to those held for the Kentucky Derby and other large stakes races. The evening will feature two different parties under one tent. Enter the VIP party through an exclusive private entrance with valet parking. You’ll be greeted with a welcome drink. Visit the Keen Ice VIP lounge with original memorabilia, old Travers races streaming, and other Travers surprises. Enjoy special top-shelf tastings and an open bar by William Grant & Sons, E&J Gallo and Empire Merchants. Gourmet food stations by Old Daley Custom Catering, live music by Grand Central Station, cigar tasting by Smokin SAMs, and a photo booth by Heather Bohm-Tallman. Get ready for the Travers race with a special presentation and handicapping session by Bruno De Julio, Tom Durkin and others; hear their perspectives on last years Travers Stakes. Tables
are sold out but tickets are still available. Senior Citizen tickets are available for members of The Adult and Senior Center of Saratoga who are 60 or older. Please call the Saratoga Senior Center 518-584-1621 to purchase senior tickets. Executive Director of the Saratoga Senior Center, Lois Celeste, is ecstatic about the event. “When I was first approached about bringing another gala to Saratoga Springs, my initial reaction was no. In fact, we turned down Prestwick Chase’s offer to underwrite this event for two years, before Fred McNeary convinced us that we needed to be similar to other horse communities and stakes races and have a true celebration of the Travers Stakes and the Travers winner here in Saratoga Springs. The event is beyond anything we ever expected.”
A five foot replica canoe, commemorating Travers winner Keen Ice. Constructed of cedar and cherry trim, they will be presented to Honorary Chairs at this year’s event
“My day today was spent talking to and firming up details with Donegal Racing owners Jerry Crawford and Ray Bryan, trainer Dale Romans, Tom Durkin and
Bruno DeJulio. How humbling is that?” Celeste said. According to Celeste, the RSVP’s continue to pour in from the general community as well as the horse community. Attendees will include jockey Javier Castellano and his wife Abby, trainer Chad Brown and his wife Terill as well as Ramon and Sharon Dominguez, and Dallas Stewart - all of whom have supported the concept from the beginning. “The Honorary Committee is impressive and have gotten behind the concept from the beginning. Other confirmations have come in from Lake Star Stables, Parting Glass Racing, Starlight Stables,
Saratoga native and agent Matt Muzikar, Maggie and Tom Morley and many more. “I’m thrilled that we could be a part of this, be the recipient of all ticket sales and help to bring this event back to Saratoga,” Celeste concluded. The Adult and Senior Center of Saratoga Springs, a non-residential community center serves over 1,200 members by providing a fun and nurturing social environment with support services and programs tailored to adults and seniors. The facility is located in the heart of downtown Saratoga at 5 Williams Street, and serves as a community hub where seniors can get help and maintain an independent lifestyle by
making new friends, sharing a meal, taking a healthy living class or learning a new skill. The social interaction provided by these programs is essential to the physical and mental health of the seniors in our community. Free transportation to and from the Museum of Dance from Saratoga Race Course and Downtown Saratoga Springs will be provided by Martin, Harding, and Mazzotti - call 1-800-LAW-1010. Don’t miss this unforgettable party! Tickets may be purchased at www.eventbrite.tasteoftravers.com or www.saratogaseniorcenter.org or by calling the Center at 518-584-1621.
45
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
WINNER’S CIRCLE Saratoga TODAY Newspaper’s Guide to the 2016 Racing Season at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York
California Dreamin’ All Roads Lead to the West Coast
by Brendan O’Meara for Saratoga TODAY Sometimes it’s good to look away from the Spa every now and again. As Olympic coverage is nauseatingly pro-American/antiworld, so too can the horseracing world be overly Saratoga-centric in the summer. There is a world beyond Saratoga and, as it turns out, it’s a big, Californian one. The 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner runs on Saturday,
which transitions us into this very discussion. The Grade I $1 million Pacific Classic run at 1-¼ miles takes place Saturday at lovely Del Mar. In the field of nine, you’ll find California Chrome, the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner. You’ll see Beholder, the super mare who recently whipped through a fourfurlong breeze at Del Mar in 47 and change. “She looked good to me,” Richard Mandella, her Hall-ofFame trainer, said in a Daily Racing Form story. “She didn’t need to do much. The one thing I told [exercise rider] Janeen [Painter] was to make sure no one was buzzing off around her. If she started the work at the half, or the three-eighth’s, or the quarter, I didn’t care. It all worked out. She found a spot by herself. She had her serious work the other day. She didn’t need anything more serious than this. The last four or five days leading to the race we
just want her mellowed out, into that groove we had before.” While winning last year’s Pacific Classic, Beholder smashed the field with a gargantuan run after three-quarters of a mile. It was, as race caller Trevor Denman put it, “poetry in motion.” She covered the 10 furlongs in 1:59.77. There’s also Dortmund, the Bob Baffert trainee who at one point in 2015 was the prime threat to American Pharoah in the Derby and Preakness. Pish posh. This will be a big race for the big son of Big Brown. Ten furlongs may not be in his wheelhouse. Few horses come programmed with that in their out-of-the-box software. His lone try at the distance was the Kentucky Derby, which is an anomalous distance at an anomalous race. He did have a wonderful trip in Kentucky, but he did get out-dueled by Firing Line and the divine monarch, American Pharoah.
This race is the perfect prep for all these horses namely because it’s the classic distance and the classic venue. The Breeders’ Cup will travel to Del Mar and having a coveted race over the surface bodes well for Classic contenders. We already know Beholder loves the track. So too does California Chrome. Some east coasters will likely point to Frosted as the horse to beat off his Met Mile win back in June. The problem with that is multi-fold. One, it was only a mile. Two, it was a one-turn mile. Three, when he won the Whitney, it was only nine furlongs, his longest winning distance. He’ll likely run in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont, a 1.5turn, 10-furlong race. He’ll probably win that, but it won’t do much except pad his Tinder profile. And the thing is—and this is no fault of trainer Kiaran McLaughlin’s— Frosted probably ran his best race
already. Running back to that form and sustaining it another quarter-mile is highly questionable, probably impossible. The more compelling cases to win the Classic live out west and run out west. There’s no crosscountry commute involved and there’s familiarity. Chrome and Beholder are No. 1 and No. 2 on talent and geography. As for Chrome, a Derby winner endowed with breeding material, running at age five (When was the last time that happened?), is arguably in the best shape of his career. He breaks from Post 1 and will likely have to shoot out from there and set the pace. Jockey Victor Espinoza will get him out into the three-path soon enough and keep Dortmund and Beholder as wide as possible. “I wasn’t smiling too much after the one-hole was drawn,” trainer Art Sherman said in a Continued on page 51.
46 WINNER’S
CIRCLE
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
Weezie at the Flagpole What a Week!
by Louisa Foye for Saratoga TODAY ‘Tho Mother Nature thankfully blessed us with perfect weather at the start of the week for the FasigTipton Yearling Sales, by midweek she was cursing us with the dreaded “h-cubed muggies”, and by Fourstardave Saturday, she was
defiantly laughing in our faces! The annual Sales hold a very special place in my heart. It is there that my lifelong love affair and fascination with horses began. Since my childhood home (our Presbyterian Church’s manse) was literally behind the yearling stables on the north side of Madison, I could walk out my backyard on Fifth, cross over what was then a real alley, slip under a gap in the fence, and be in seventh Heaven! If I knew then what I know now, however, I would never have been filled with the joyful innocence of that little girl who believed that one day a horse like these could be hers! On the second night of the sales, a filly by Medaglia d’Oro, (sire of the great Rachel Alexandra and current star Songbird) elicited a bidding war between Mandy Pope and B. Wayne Hughes that resulted
in the Sales topper at $1.45 million! Ms. Pope, who has been building a powerful breeding operation in Ocala for some time now, along with the reputation as a fierce player and bullish foe, outdueled Mr. Hughes in a spirited battle, as they sat close by to each other! It never becomes old to watch in wonder as these beautiful babies are led out to the walking ring, often and loudly displaying their dismay with all of the attention, and to then see their potential suitors fight over them in the Sales ring like jilted lovers! In the very same location on Friday morning, pillars of the industry gathered for the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. For many years, I’ve relished being able to attend this wonderful event that has always been open to everyone, but thank goodness I had a media pass this year, because for the first time, it was closed to the public! Sadly, this resulted in a much smaller crowd than usual, for what was perhaps their most decorated class ever. Even though I’m sure the Hall anticipated huge ticket requests from the connections of
this star-studded class, it was common knowledge that they were mostly fearful of PETA protesters ruining their event because of the scurrilous and baseless allegations of abuse that were leveled by Joe Drape in the New York Times against Steve Asmussen. Thank goodness these trumped up charges, based on a dubious and highly edited video that was manufactured by PETA, were found to be false after lengthy investigations by both the NY and KY Racing Commissions. After two agonizing years of waiting, their findings opened the door for the Hall to finally and rightfully induct him. Steve’s wife Julie, who began as a hot walker in his barn, introduced him, and remarked that the most important lesson he has shared with their three sons, is that you never give up, and that you wake up every morning and give it your all, because effort is everything! Although it’s been said that Steve is rather unapproachable and can appear aloof, in an extremely emotional and heartwarming acceptance speech, he showed us a very different side. He
made it clear that he owes so much to his wife, who stood bravely by his side in spite of battling cancer during this ordeal, and to his Mom and Dad, (a former Jockey and Trainers who were in attendance) who raised him and his older brother Cash (a former Eclipse Award Winner as an Apprentice Jockey) in the small Texas town of Laredo, to believe in their ability to succeed, and to understand the importance of family and hard work. Choking back tears, he thanked his Mom for her faith in him, and his Dad for being the essence of a “true man”. He also made a point to thank his longtime Assistant, Steve Blasi, who had been the focus of the PETA witch-hunt. He went on to explain that this honor belonged to his entire team, and to his owners that never stopped believing in him, and most importantly, to the horses, including greats like Rachel Alexandra, Curlin, My Miss Aurelia, Untapable and Kodiak Cowboy. I can’t recall ever feeling any more devastated about an athlete’s injury than I did after hearing the horrible news of the bad fall Ramon Dominguez had taken on the hard inner track at Aqueduct, that January afternoon in 2013. I was absolutely heartbroken that this could happen to not only such an amazing talent, but to such an incredibly fine human being. Praying incessantly that he would recover, and hoping beyond hope that he would be able to return to the saddle, as the months passed, I remained optimistic. When the final verdict was announced, that the 3-time Eclipse Award Winner had to retire, I cried like a baby, and continued to tear up each time I saw him after he finally returned to the Track that following summer in Saratoga. But this year, and this day, are different, as the tears of sadness have turned to tears of joy for a man who has accepted his fate with the same humility, class and grace that defined his career. To make it easier on us who are easily moved to tears, he engaged us with hilarious stories during his acceptance speech, and showed us all why he will forever remain on top, no matter where life leads him.
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
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“This was taken circa 1960 by my oldest sister Betsy at the yearling stables behind our house. On the back of this old square black and white photo she wrote, "Weez says this is her horse!"... Lol! Ahhhh... the delusions of childhood!”
The ever-entertaining Tom Durkin, who once again served as the MC, introduced each honoree with his usual flair, and when he did so for Ann and Jerry Moss’ incomparable Zenyatta, he lamented that he was never able to call one of her races. Moss, the founder of A & M Records, (hence Queen Z being named after the album by The Police) and wife Ann, were understandably ebullient in their praise of, and thanks to and for their superstar, who wowed her throngs of fans with her diva-like prancing in the Post Parades, bigger than life personality, and devastating come from behind thrilling stretch runs. As has become my routine, I have saved the best for last, and I say this unapologetically and unabashedly with pride, because Rachel Alexandra is one of my very favorites of all time! I’ll freely admit that my opinion is based on the fact that I was so blessed to see her greatness in person several times, and from Churchill Downs in the Oaks, to Belmont in the Mother Goose, and ultimately on to Saratoga for her iconic Woodward, she thrilled me like no other, and left us all
breathless and in tears! My heart stopped when we almost lost her in childbirth, and broke when we realized she would never be able to give birth again, but the unbelievable memories of her courage, grit and determination will remain alive in my heart and soul forever! As her compassionate yet understated owner, Barbara Banke, remarked during her acceptance speech on behalf of Rachel, it is her amazing courage that will define her legacy. In what was arguably his greatest race call, Tom Durkin reminded us of how Rachel’s heart stopping Woodward literally raised the rafters and moved the crowd with her gutsy victory! I will never forget standing at the rail on the finish line, with bodies ten-deep pressed up against me, and with tears running down my face, as she returned to the Winner’s Circle! Thank You, Rachel, for creating these unforgettable moments! Anticipating a storm of epic proportions, NYRA wisely cancelled
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the last six races on Saturday’s card, putting safety first, and all eyes then turned to Arlington Park. At this point, NYRA had to be very pleased with their fortuitous decision to provide bonus coverage that day from AP during their Saratoga Live show, and since Gabby Gaudet was already there to cover the big races, they smoothly transitioned from the mess at home, and turned it into a positive Win-Win for their new national programming. In spite of struggling in his Saratoga debut this Meet, with only three wins to his credit before he headed to Chicago, Florent Geroux, the almost-30-year-old French Jockey, had a day to remember at his old stomping grounds at AP! He racked up five wins from eight mounts, with four of them being Stakes, and two of these being Grade 1s. He owes a huge debt of gratitude to his hardworking Agent, Doug Bredar, (husband of TVG analyst Caton, and a former Racing Secretary at Churchill Downs and Gulfstream) for securing mounts for him three weeks out, on very live horses, that were favorites in every race he won! His Stakes streak began in the American St. Leger, on Mike Maker’s 4-5 favorite Da Big Hoss, and continued in the Grade I Secretariat for 3-year olds, aboard Chad Brown’s classy Beach Patrol, a son of Lemon Drop Kid. In the $700K Grade 1 Beverly D, FloG rode Chad’s even money favorite, Sea Calisi, stable mate and training partner of the great Lady Eli, to victory, and ‘tho he didn’t have the same luck in the Arlington Million, he closed out his streak in the Grade III Pucker Up, where with a continued stroke of good luck, he was awarded the victory on Chad’s 5-2 shot when the apparent winner was disqualified and dropped to third! The up and coming young Trainer from the UK, David O’Meara, further elevated his rising star when his 6-year- old
Mondialiste, a son of the great Irish Sire Galileo, captured the Million. Although O’Meara only got his Trainer’s license six years ago, he has opened eyes with a win in the Woodbine Mile and a place in the Breeders Cup Mile already to his credit. In spite of still maintaining a four-win lead in the Jockey Standings with 31, it was a pretty rough week for Irad Ortiz, per his usual high standards. He was shut out on Wednesday, and again on his Birthday on Thursday, and also on the shortened card on Saturday. He was able to manage one win on both Friday and Sunday, but was also disqualified in Sunday’s feature, the Grade II Special, following a scary moment when his wayward 2-yearold bumped Ricardo Santana’s baby hard, who then in turn, bumped Johnny Velazquez, but fortunately, nobody went down! Javi Castellano was not involved, and ran down Irad aboard Gunneveral, who with an impressive turn of foot in the deep stretch, won in a thriller! This was Javi’s fourth Win of the day, and it moved him into a tie with Johnny for
second in the standings at 24, but he would move ahead with a win on Monday to 25. However, this would be short-lived, as José Ortiz had a great Monday with four winners, too, and bolted ahead of them to 27! Joel Rosario remains in 5th with 18, and a streaking Luis Saez, who has been on fire since his huge 55-1 upset in The Test, now has 17! Manny Franco has 13, and after a big Wednesday for José Lezcano with three wins, he now has 10. ‘Tho FloG kept his hot hand going in the 1st Race Sunday, upon his return that morning from Chicago, he still only sits in 14th place with 4 Wins, proving how extremely difficult it is for any Jockey to venture into Saratoga and win! Chad Brown has a six-win lead over Todd Pletcher, 23-17, and Kiaran McLaughlin remains in 3rd with 9, while a red hot Rudy Rodriguez now has 8! I cannot wait for Saturday’s Alabama and the chance to see the magnificent Songbird once again! The delayed Fourstardave will also be on Saturday, and the cancelled Adirondack will now be run on Friday. See you next week!
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Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
The Seductive Siren Call of Exotic Wagers
by Tom Amello Saratoga TODAY In our opening week column, “Pari-mutuel – It’s You Alone Against the World”, we examined the pari-mutuel concept that is the cornerstone of Thoroughbred racing: Bettors at the track play against each other. “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away”, parimutuel players had few wagering pool options. Wagering was limited to “flat bet” wagers on Win, Place, Show and Daily Doubles. It was simple and, by today’s standards, boring. These days it’s not so simple and for good reason. The century of lottery and Mega Ball became a model for race tracks
to develop opportunities for bettors to make a score, perhaps even a life-changing score, through exotic wagering. Like casino jackpots, the multi-day carryovers on Pick 6 or Rainbow Six are the lure, the bait. Unlike casinos or Lotto, which make big winners poster children for wannabe winners, Thoroughbred racing rarely publicizes the identity of its big winners. But the betting public pays attention. The current exotic wagering menu at NYRA includes pools for making intra-race wagers such as Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta, in addition to Win, Place, Show and Daily Double. Said another way, inter-race is horizontal wagering between races, and intra-race is vertical wagering within a race. Inter-race pools are extensions of the original Daily Double concept. These include Daily Doubles throughout the card, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Pick 6 and Grand Slam options. With vertical intra-race wagering, a bettor attempts to pick the correct order of finish for two, three, four or five positions in that same race. For the uninitiated, picking the exact order for the one-two finishers is the
Exacta, the exact one-two-three finishers the Trifecta (triple), and the exact one-two-three-four finishers the Superfecta. Money flows into these separate wagering pools. (Note that in modern wagering the Exacta pool claims more money than the Win pool.) With horizontal inter-race wagering, a bettor attempts to pick only the winner for a particular sequence of 2,3,4,5 or 6 races. For serious recreational handicappers and professionals, exotic wagering is about
leveraging opinion. Leveraging is important because Thoroughbred racing has been plagued by a shortage of horses, diminishing foal crops, and short fields, even at this 2016 Saratoga meet. Short fields yield post-time favorites at shorter prices. Exotic wagers permit bettors to turn 6-5 favorites and short fields into payouts of 3-1 or more. When favorites fail, as they often do, payouts increase. As with investing in the stock market, philosophy and style of play dictate when and where a
bettor decides to invest a portion of his/her bankroll. The intra-race exotic pools are for the mildly adventurous. Inter-race pools are for risk takers and serious players seeking that “Fucillo Huge” score or life-changing event. There is a seductive simplicity to both vertical and horizontal wagers. The big “carry over” pools, which draw money, further entice. The Lottery has it’s “dollar and a dream.” Thoroughbred racing once had Harvey Pack’s clarion call to the next day’s card,
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
“NOOOBody picked six!” Both invite one to wager a little in hopes of gaining significantly more. At the track, playing favorites is like backing bluechip, dividend producing companies; playing long shot horses is akin to investing in penny stock. Playing exotic wagers allows the investor to marry the two, and sometimes that penny stock is a hit. There is the fan dance of exotic wagering. In the horizontals, all you have to do is pick the winners. That’s all? A handicapper who regularly picks 30% winners playing a pick 3 has a 30% x 30% x 30% chance of hitting the sequence, which is a .027% probability of picking three in a row. To increase chances of winning, pick players must “spread” in races to include both probable and possible winners. Sometimes a player must “buy” a race and cover “all” the runners. It can
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be expensive, but the returns might be generous. A “short pocket” or unwillingness to risk an uncomfortable amount of money forces inexperienced pick players to reduce the cost of a ticket. They regularly eliminate possible but less probable horses. A friend once lost a pick by eliminating an older horse named Federal Funds. He left the horse off his tickets “hoping Federal Funds would not run well today.” Of course the horse ran well. Also, pick players too often have winners at good odds in their pick but fail to make win bets on these winners, a lose-lose double whammy. Solid opinions in each leg of your pick series are required, even if it’s “no opinion”. Backing opinions and spreading in races where there is little or no opinion is a requirement for cashing pick tickets. Most pick
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players suffer losing streaks, some quite long. Ironically, the “key” to generous pick payouts is usually the odd horse, included or excluded from the ticket, which either makes or breaks your play. Bottom line: If you are reluctant to invest the bankroll it takes to cover near all the probable/possible winners in a pick play you have two options: pool resources with friends or save your bankroll for flat bets and intra-race wagers. Vertical intra-race exotics have the same requirement: attempt to cover all reasonable probable and possible horses that might fill your finish spots. Visualizing a pyramid helps understand the fact that only a few horses can actually win, several might actually race well enough to finish second, and almost any horse entered is possible to finish third or fourth. The pyramid has a wide base, as should your vertical exotic ticket.
A trifecta ticket, for example, might be constructed to have the numbers 1 and 2 over the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Take this same approach with superfectas. And, the horse named “All” (using the entire field) is sometimes an exotic player’s best horse. A common strategy for vertical exotics involves the concept of “boxing” tickets. To box means a multiple horse bet will pay if either horse in your ticket fills any slot. An Exacta box 1-2 will pay if either 1 or 2 runs first or second, but both must do so. A three-horse Exacta box of 1-2-3 pays if any of the three run first or second. Boxing is an easy strategy for new players to make this or any vertical exotic bet. Frankly, boxing is not the most efficient way to bet. Boxing actually sends an equal amount of money after unequal returns, not a positive investment strategy. But learning to wager efficiently comes with knowledge and experience. I believe the best chance to have a winning day is to leave the horizontal plays to others, unless you have a strong opinion in one or more races. My recommendation is to make win bets on midpriced horses and exactas using your win horse as a “key” with logical favorites and other midpriced horses. Such a play sounds and looks like this: “Win 4… Exacta 1, 2, 3 with 4…Exacta Box 1-2-4.” If number 4 wins, you win.
If number 4 runs second to the 1, 2, or 3, you win. If either the 1-2-4 run first and second, you win. Some might argue I’m buying losing tickets. True, but the goal is winning while at the same time protecting the bankroll. The above play does just that and, if you are right, you get paid. Tom Amello began his Thoroughbred education over 50 years ago. In 1984, Tom created his own database of New York trainers and horses that became the foundation for the Saratoga selection sheet, Trackfacts. For over twenty years Tom produced and hosted original programming covering Thoroughbred racing for Capital District OTB Television. Tom conducts numerous handicapping seminars and workshops, including participation in “Count Down to…” programs at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and the “History, Horses and Handicapping” program at SUNY Empire State College’s Academy for Lifelong Learning. In 2013, Tom published Playing the Odds Board: Gateway to the Game ™, a guide that makes betting easier to understand and more fun for those new to Thoroughbred racing. Tom, with his daughter Kate, owns and operates the Brunswick at Saratoga Bed and Breakfast at 143 Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Contact Tom at trkfacts@nycp.rr.com.
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Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
Raucci’s Corner
The Collector: Special Guests and More Programs by Arthur Gonick Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — In this week’s episode, Joe Raucci talks about two legends that visited him, and some of the many programs they enjoyed looking over.
“Looking over horse racing history with A jockey who needs no introduction. Rider of the immortal Ruffian and twice winner of the Kentucky Derby - Jacinto Vasquez. Also, without question one of the most interesting and knowledgable racetrack personalities in memory. With a sports resume longer than the Verrazanno Bridge. General Manager and VP at Hialeah Park when it was the Queen of North American racetracks. Also, named best-dressed man of 1980. Taking this award from his fellow sportscaster, and friend, Frank Gifford. Mr. Tommy Roberts. Photo by MarkBolles.com.
I would like to thank Mr. Pat Dowd. A friend for many years, and a gentleman who graciously gave me this Treasure. The decade of the 1960s gave us thrills that will never be forgotten. The great Kelso. His nemesis Gun Bow. Jack Price's Carry Back and Majestic Prince to name a few. That being said: Buckpasser, Dr Fager and Damascus. Three immortal thoroughbreds. They would set the stage for the aptly phrased "The Race Of The Century". It would take place on a fall afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack in 1967. The prestigious Woodward Stakes and Horse Of The Year Honors at stake. I remember it like it was yesterday. Dr Fager would do the only thing he knew: He would blaze incredible fractions through the first six furlongs. ‘Rabbits’ who would force the early going were used to sap this fierce competitor's strength. This tactic proved successful. The speedball was finished. Buckpasser - the regally bred son of Tom Fool did not have the skills that had made his name synonymous with perfection on that day. Damascus, with the steadfast hands of the great Bill Shoemaker, would make it a romp. A staggering ten-length victory and the Champions crown. This you can take to the bank. There never has been and never will be a race of this quality again.
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
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Here is one that had it all. Swaps and Nashua. Two of the all time greats. Add to that "The Master" Eddie Arcaro and his star pupil and heir apparent Bill Shoemaker. The eastern elite. The Woodwards and their legendary Belair Stud. From California came Rex Ellsworth, a rancher and polar opposite. It would be his Swaps that would stun the racing world when he took the measure of Nashua in the Kentucky Derby. Swaps and his connections headed back west. Choosing not to race in the final two jewels of the crown. Nashua would easily prevail in both the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. The perfect storm had been created for a showdown. On August 31, 1955. In Chicago at the long gone Washington Park Racetrack. The race itself never equaled the hype. Arcaro hustled Nashua to the lead and scored an easy, six-length gallop to the winner’s circle. Shoemaker said it best when he quipped this humbling remark: "The Master… he just taught me a lesson."
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Paulick Report story. “I’d have loved to have been on the ninehole, but hey listen: the best horse is going to win, no matter what. Being a former jockey, I know it’s going to be a jockey’s race.” Which is why Hall of Famer Gary Stevens all but cackled when Chrome drew inside Beholder and Dortmund drew just outside him. “I got a big smile on my face,” Stevens said. “I looked across at Richard [Mandella] and he just
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If 1915 is called the year the stars fell on for West Point Graduates; then 1955 surely is the year that the stars fell on horse racing. The racing gods outdid themselves with three of the greatest stars of the turf being foaled that year: Bold Ruler, Gallant Man and Round Table. So aptly named - they sound like they came right out of Camelot. And, just maybe, they did. Garden State Park got the race. And this one had it all. It would be the greatest three-horse field ever assembled on an American racetrack. The classic distance. A mile and a quarter. Three great champions vying for Horse of the year honors... When all was said and done, it would be Secretariat’s daddy - Bold Ruler- with his legendary rider, Eddie Arcaro, an easy winner. And with that the champion’s crown for 1957.
California Dreamin’ All Roads Lead to the West Coast winked at me. I winked back at him… Dortmund right to my outside, California Chrome in the one-hole; it makes my job pretty simple.” If it is a jockey’s race, then look at this three-way phone call: Espinoza aboard Chrome. Stevens aboard Beholder. Rafael Bejarano aboard Dortmund. All three horses have similar running styles, but we’ll likely see Chrome leading the charge with Beholder applying pressure as she did a year ago in this race.
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She practically ran off the screen and will probably go off as the favorite at post time. And no matter what happens back east in the Woodward Stakes on closing weekend at Saratoga or the Jockey Club Gold Cup in September, the winner of the Classic runs this Saturday, in a Classic harbinger.
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Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
My Olympic Moments Jason Morris’ Olympic Judo Journey by Jason Morris for Saratoga TODAY My Olympic journey in judo first came to fruition when I qualified for the 1988 Games in Seoul, Korea. It’s hard to believe that in one way or another, the journey has continued for almost two decades. I have been involved in the past eight Olympics: the first four as a player (Seoul, Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney); the next one (Athens) for my magazine, Real Judo; the next (Beijing) as a coach; and in the most recent three, including Rio, competitors have reached the Games from the training center in Glenville that my wife, Teri, and I started. I reached both the high and low of this Olympic journey at the 25th Olympiad in Barcelona, Spain. And it happened within a span of nine days. I’d had four narrow misses leading up to the Barcelona Games - losing in the bronze medal match at the 1987 world championships, losing in the second round of the 1988 Olympics and losing in the bronze medal match of the 1989 world championships. Then, I had to settle for ninth place at the 1991 world championships. I was considered one of the top players in the world during that time, but I couldn’t break through and reach the podium at the main events. In 1987, 1988 and 1989, I had lost to Bacir Varaev from Russia; even now, I joke that he has three of my medals. I had gone into those events with high confidence, fully expecting to win. Losing had taken a toll. Maybe I needed a new approach. I was all business my first Olympics, not really taking in all it had to offer. I changed that in Spain. Even though I trained extremely hard, I was determined to enjoy the Olympic ride, so to speak, and take it all in. There are so many things to enjoy inside and outside the Olympic village, and I tried to take advantage in hopes of
lessening the pressure of the competition. I hung out on the beach boardwalk, which had a couple places to eat and a fantastic view. The ocean was very calming. Seeing it took me away from the fact that I was at a competition. I changed my mind-set. I wasn’t going to define my career by whether I medaled. I recall enjoying the entire process, including my competition days. As I moved through the rounds, I was quite calm. I didn’t put the pressure on myself that I had in the past. I was able to control those emotions and work my way through each match, doing what was needed to be successful. I ended up beating one of the favorites to win our division -Antonie Wurth of the Netherlands in the second round, even though he had defeated me earlier in the year in the Hungarian Open final. Next up, in the quarterfinals, was a familiar name. I was to face Charip Varaev, the brother of my biggest rival. The Russians replaced Bacir with Charip for the Barcelona Games, even though Bacir had medaled in four previous Olympics. Finally taking out a Varaev was satisfying, but even more important, it put me into the semifinals. I was one victory from finally achieving a medal. When I threw Lars Adolfsson, from Sweden, in the semifinal to secure a place in the final and assuring myself a spot on the podium, I walked around the mat with my hands raised high and let out a primal scream. That outburst was me thinking: “Finally!” As I came off the mat, I was greeted by one of the Olympic coaches and longtime friend Irwin Cohen. I then went right in the stands to Teri, my girlfriend at the time. We embraced and shared a congratulatory kiss that was replayed over and over on Japanese TV. The final was against Hidehiko Yoshida (Japan), who had plowed though the other side of the draw. I was very nervous, but it was a healthy
nervous. My confidence was high. I started the match strong and took the early lead. I knew he would come back at me harder after he was penalized for passivity. I withstood his barrage of attacks, but not before getting scored on (a yuko, or partial score) to fall behind. I felt that he was starting to fade after he spent so much energy to take the lead. Like the previous three bouts, in which I also had trailed, I was sure I would come back. But just then, Yoshida maneuvered his way into a very good position. He knew I was in trouble and blasted in with his trademark uchimata (an inner-leg throw). It was over. At that moment, of course I was devastated. I was so close to winning a gold. Still, I knew the silver was an incredible achievement. The next nine days were heaven, but my dream quickly became a nightmare. I had headed back to Washington, D.C., for the Olympians luncheon at the White House and was staying at Teri’s parents’ house in Alexandria, Va., when I received word that my father, Bernie, who had remained in Spain, suffered a massive heart attack and died on his way to the closing ceremonies. He was just 49. Suddenly, my world was torn apart. I was very close to my father, and getting closer because of all of his involvement in my judo career. My dad was my travel agent, public relations man, press agent, financial advisor and videographer, among other things. In fact, one of his videos of Wurth
was very valuable in creating a strategy to beat him. It took some time, but I put the pieces back together and regained the passion to make two more Olympic teams. And I went on to develop one of the top programs in the country, the Jason Morris Judo Center. Although the focus of the media was my success and the death of my father, my mother, Chris, was the early driving force in my career. She often gets overlooked, but I wouldn’t have accomplished anything without her getting me to practice and putting up with me for many years. My dad really came into the picture with my career later, when he realized judo was more than something I participated in. It was a livelihood. My passion for the
Olympics is as strong as ever, and trying to get athletes to realize their own dreams is what drives me. There are so many phenomenal things about the Olympic Games but I must say, walking in during the opening ceremony tops them all. I was fortunate enough to walk in five of them. Not a lot moves me, but being part of those ceremonies is such an honor and privilege. Sometimes I catch myself thinking of how proud my dad was then, and how he would be now that this wonderful ride has lasted eight Olympiads. Jason Morris competed in four Olympics in judo, winning a silver medal in the 1992 Games. He and his wife, Teri, run the Jason Morris Judo Center in Glenville.
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
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Pay-to-Play in High School Sports: Bad Idea!
by Damian Fantauzzi for Saratoga TODAY Paying for the privilege to participate in high school sports is still a relatively new thing for me. ‘Participation fees’ is actually a better description since no one is really able to guarantee playing time. I never had to pay to participate in high school sports back in the late 50s and early 60s, while growing up in New York. Other than a few dollars to buy football cleats, socks, basketball shoes etc., New York State is where property taxes and other levy’s funded all academics and extra curricular activities. Up until the 1980’s most states were also this way with regard to funding athletics. Then of course funding challenges in public education, Title IX equity mandates, recessions and expenses of growing athletic programs began to chip away at available funding and the practice of charging pay-to-play fees became more and more common to keep public school athletic programs afloat. New York State does not permit pay-to-play, even though some local school districts experimented with the idea. Here are some pros and cons. Pros: there is no advantage here, so there are no pros. So, what’s wrong with the concept? Increasing the cost of playing sports by implementing pay-toplay, without a doubt, keeps some low-income students from participating, at a time in their lives when they should be trying new things, and at a time in our country when kids are less active than ever. Officials are finding it hard to resist using fees beyond athletics, risking the creation of an a la
carte-style education where only students with means can take full advantage of what is offered through public schools. Not to mention that the concept might have the potential to widen the gap between students based on their financial resources. Both must be avoided. The last 40 years of public education have been defined by the demand for more: more classes, more clubs, more services and more sports, especially with the addition of Title IX. For much of that time, those demands have been accompanied by more money. Since the 2008 economic crash, however, pressure on state budgets and property taxpayers has produced sharp cuts in the money sent to schools. In New York State, as a result of underfunding, students are being shortchanged as schools have inadequate supplies, overcrowded classrooms, insufficient numbers of guidance counselors and social workers, understaffed and under resourced libraries, underfunded arts and sports programs, lack of sufficient tutoring and other supports for struggling students and reduced curriculum offerings and after school options. These classroom cuts have the greatest negative impact on students in high needs schools with large concentrations of students in poverty, students with disabilities and English language learners. So school districts across the state are looking for other means to fund certain “extracurricular” programs, like the sports programs, in order to sustain some quality in academics. Andrew Cuomo’s two percent tax cap had short-changed many school districts across New York State, as a result Governor Andrew Cuomo has failed to live up to his constitutional obligations to New York State’s school children. Governor Cuomo has consistently failed in his obligation to provide the resources necessary for all New York State students to receive the “sound basic education” that is guaranteed by New York State’s constitution. Cuomo is delinquent in the amount of $5.9 billion that is owed to the New York State schools as a result of the Campaign for Fiscal
Equity (CFE). Governor Cuomo’s delinquency perpetuates inequality with the funding gap between wealthy and poor districts being at $8,733 per pupil. So, the athletic programs have become part of this tendency of negligence, for most of New York’s public schools. This information comes from The Public Policy and Education Fund, in an article about the Governor’s failure to keep public schools on track. As a matter of fact Governor Cuomo has butted heads with the NYSUT (teachers’ union) since the day he was voted in as New York State’s leader. The above scenario, of gubernatorial cuts and delinquency funding strategies, has become an issue for at least 35 states across the country. There has been discussion, as well as the implementation of pay-to-play in many states because of the concern of budgetary slashing. Many ideas have evolved to remedy and solve ways for the funding of sports programs. So far, there hasn’t been an ideal model that actually works. In general, it has been, for
the majority of the states, to fund public education through property taxation. To use a sports related analogy, school districts, teachers’ salaries, the extracurricular programs, especially athletics have become a political football. I see it in a very different way. I feel, for example, Governor Andrew Cuomo, like some other governors across the states, have this thing about teacher’s unions, let me use the prehistoric label called “union busters.” The concept has been reincarnated from the early 1900s - it might be the underlying force behind cuts to education, and one result being cuts in athletics. But, the subject of the payto-play scenario has unfortunately become a bad idea, turning into programs for elitists, for those who can afford to pay to participate. So, not all students would have the opportunity to become involved with athletics, because of the costs. Some states have districts that are charging up to $1,200 for the school year athletics, some
states have school districts charging $250 to $600 dollars per sport. So the student who comes from a single parent family and whose mom (usually) who makes barley a sustainable income for her family, might not be able to pay for her child, or children to play school related sports. As a coach, I can see so many related problems. If a child is paying $1,200 to participate on the football team, the coach is pressured to use that kid more than he has planned maybe because the kid just might not be strong enough to physically compete. The biggest problem with payto-play might even come from the parents: “I just paid all of this money and my kid isn’t getting the time “I” think he deserves!” Pay-to-play is a dangerous concept, and I see no winners in this game, it changes the scholastic environment from a chance for all versus only a game for the privileged. Quite frankly, it’s the “haves overshadowing the have-nots.” Thoroughly a true opposite of what public education represents.
The 2016 Amazing Race Will Be At Our Place! Saratoga Springs on Saturday, September 10.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city’s version of the long-running TV show was created by the Saratoga Springs History Museum and will take place within city limits. Just like on the show, contestants will be given missions to complete, except these missions are each based on historic destinations within the Spa City. The first team to finish nine of 11 missions and make it to the finish line at the Thirsty Owl will be the winner. Teams of two to four people will be given a set of clues written by members of the museum¹s board. Decipher the destination based on the
clues; take a picture of yourself at each historic location for review at the finish line. The race begins at the Saratoga Springs History Museum in the Canfield Casino at 10 a.m. on September 10. In addition to bragging rights as the first ever Saratoga Springs Amazing Race champions, a $250 gift card from the Downtown Business Association. Each member will receive an 8 x 10 print from the George S. Bolster Collection. The second place team wins a complimentary tour of Saratoga from Saratoga Tours for up to 20 people. The third place prize is a three-month
membership to the Saratoga YMCA. All competitors get a complimentary glass of wine or non-alcoholic drink at the Thirsty Owl. All proceeds benefit educational programming and historic preservation at the History Museum. Sign up at www.saratogahistory.org or call 518584-6920 for more details. The Entry fee is $25 per person, $100 for teams of four. Corporate sponsorships are available for $200. The History Museum is located in the Canfield Casino and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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SPORTS
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
COMMUNITY SPORTS BULLETIN Fall Youth Rugby Dates: September 11 October 30 Location: Saratoga Rugby Grounds (5 Clement Ave) Ages: 6-13 (Boys and Girls) Times: Sundays 1 - 2:30 p.m. Registration Link: https://saratogarugby.org/youth/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/1477271199192594/ PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Welcome to the new and most exciting Olympic Sport! The Youth Rugby program follows the same safe guidelines and principles as other youth programs around the world. This non-contact variation of rugby introduces all types of athletes to the fastest growing sport in all of America! Over the course of the program, participants will learn the fundamental components and rules of the sport, as well as progress to flag variation game models. Rugby incorporates skill components of many popular sports (soccer, basketball, lacrosse, football). This global emphasis of sportsmanship and comraderie in the game of rugby is taught and implemented in this program. The program is run, coached and part of Saratoga Rugby Club!
Springs Recreation Center at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue. Early Bird registration ends October 11. Visit www.SaratogaRec.com for more information. Or Contact us: 518587-3550 x2300 or email recreservations@saratoga-springs.org.
YO!
Send your sports stories or briefs to Arthur Gonick, Sports Editor at arthur@saratogapublishing.com
Fall Tiny T-Ball! Saratoga Springs Recreation Department 2016 Fall Tiny T-Ball Program Registration Begins August 22. This introductory program is open to children ages 3-5 and will run fromSeptember 14-October 19. Sign up at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue. Early Bird registration ends October 11. Visit us at www.SaratogaRec.com for more information. Questions? Call 518-587-3550 x2300 or email recreservations@saratoga-springs. org.
Saratoga Springs Saratoga Springs Recreation Department Recreation Department 2016 Fall Indoor Floor 2016 Fall Indoor Floor Hockey Program Hockey Registration Registration Begins Begins August 22 August 22 This introductory program is open to children ages 6-12 and will run from September 12-October 17. Sign up at the Saratoga
This introductory program is open to children ages 6-12 and will run from September 12 - October
17. Sign up at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue Questions? Contact us 518-587-3550 x2300 or email recreservations@saratoga-springs. org.
players. For more information please contact Jo-Anne Hostig, Saratoga head field hockey coach at Tig10@juno.com.
Saratoga Springs Recreation Department 2016 Fall Volleyball Program Registration Begins August 22
Ditch the workout, and join the PARTY! This Latin inspired workout program is not your typical workout. This workout will get you moving to music, while actually enjoying yourself. Preregistration is required at least one business day prior. No dropins allowed (pre-registration required). BTW, Our gym has air conditioning! Fee per session: Wilton Res. - $45; Saratoga School Dist.$55; Other- $60. Sessions are on Mondays from 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. from July 11 August 15. Register at Gavin Park or online: https://activenet018.active. com/wiltonrecreation/
This introductory program is open to children ages 8-14 and will run from September 14-October 19. Sign up at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue Questions? Contact us 518587-3550 x2300 or email recreservations@saratoga-springs.org.
Saratoga Fall Youth Field Hockey Program The Saratoga Springs Booster Club will be hosting its sixth fall season of youth field hockey beginning on August 30 and ending on October 1. The program is open to youths in grades third through sixth. No experience needed. The program features practices working on fundamental skills and at least three play days with other area school club programs. The youth program brochure can be downloaded from the Booster Club’s website at www.eteamz. com/Saratogafieldhockey1. Registration is now open and the cost is $95 for the fall season, which includes a team vest for new
Puzzle solutions from pg. 30 Send your sports stories or briefs to Arthur Gonick, Sports Editor at arthur@saratoga publishing.com
Zumba at Gavin Park
Saratoga Springs Ice Rink Open for Summer Fun Join us for summer fun at the ice rink! Open Public, Open Stick, Open Adult Hockey and Open Figure sessions will be offered. Call 518-587-3550 x 2300, 518-5833462 or visit SaratogaRec.com for more information. See you there!
Saratoga Springs Recreation 2016 Summer Clinics and Programs
The Saratoga Springs Recreation Department will again be offering an extensive and varied list of programs and clinics for summer 2016. Choose from boys and girls basketball, volleyball, baseball, field hockey, tennis, boys and girls lacrosse, soccer, cheerleading, skateboarding, softball, track, running, sandlot baseball, flag football and ice skating lessons.
2016 Fall Soccer Registration Has Begun Follow your goals with the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department’s 2016 Fall Soccer program. This program is open to children grades Pre K-12 and will run September 10-October 29. Players will be separated by grade and exposed to skill development based on age and skill level. Register before August 15 in order to receive the Early Bird Discount. Two volunteer coaches per team are needed at all levels. Registration fee is waived for the child of each coach who registers by August 15. Sign up at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue. For additional information or to download forms go to www. SaratogaRec.com. Questions? Call 518-587-3550 x2300 or email recreservations@saratogasprings.org. 1 Blue Streak Blvd. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Ph: 587-6690, ext. 33304
Week of August 19 – August 25, 2016
SPORTS 55
“Over the Top Mountain Bike & Trail Run Race” at West Mountain! QUEENSBURY — West Mountain is looking to bring visitors to the mountain all year round by hosting unique and exciting events. West will be hosting their first 10 k mountain bike & 5 k trail run, “Over the Top Mountain Bike & Trail Run Race” on Saturday, August 20 at 10 a.m. Individuals will be running and riding on miles of trails, which vary in variety and difficulty, with beautiful views at the top of West Mountain. The “Over the Top” event will allow participants to experience and explore parts of West Mountain they have never seen! Race registration will take place in the main lodge from 7:30 – 9 a.m. Awards and a BBQ lunch (included in your race fees) will take place immediately following
the race on the patio in the back of the Main Lodge. Individuals and two-person (must be 12 years old or older) teams accepted. For the latest information
and photos visit West Mountain’s website http://www.westmtn. net/ on Instagram @wesmtn and on Facebook by searching West Mountain Ski Area.