Saratoga Today Newspaper July 22 2011

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Volume 6 • Issue 29 SaratogaPublishing.com

Chickadee Local Writers Bring Major Motion Picture to Ballston Spa

by Daniel Schechtman Saratoga TODAY BALLSTON SPA – A major motion picture written by two Ballston Spa natives is in the early stages of pre-production, with filming in and around Ballston Spa and the Capital District expected to begin later this fall. The project, which first

See Filming page 15

ROAD OVERLOAD Carmageddon Reaches Saratoga County

by Yael Goldman Saratoga TODAY MALTA – While Malta residents attest that traffic congestion is becoming the norm on certain roadways, current construction projects have brought the town board to the brink of declaring an emergency situation.

GlobalFoundries-related traffic in Malta, particularly on Dunning Street, has been an increasing concern among residents and town board members since the Fab 8 construction site became active last year.

Current New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) projects are temporarily amplifying this problem. The

state department closed Route 67 to eastbound traffic just east of Old State Road for a two-week period on Monday, July 11 as part of an ongoing roundabout construction project.

Then, town officials were made aware last week that, pending the completion of the Route 9 round-

See Traffic page 13

Inside TODAY...

Banner Family Values

Equine Advocates Gala pg 6

Three Generations of Generosity at Caffè Lena

by Yael Goldman Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS – Isaac Banner is a third generation Caffè Lena volunteer.

You could say the 18-year-old

Visual Recollection pg 8

Saratoga Springs High School graduate was born with a connection to the Caffè. He gets it from both sides of his family, and, as his father Shawn says, “It is in his blood.”

The tradition began in the late

See Family page 14

Racing Begins

• Traffic Circles • Gridlock • Bridge Repairs

Pageant Winners pg 10 Isaac Banner

Saratoga Bridges’ White Party pg 11 Nobody Home pg 16 SPAC Orchestra Preview pg 30

See pages 18-22

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Friday, July 22, 2011

Chester C. Jones, aka "X," 33, of Rolling Meadows, Villarica, Georgia, was charged with four counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, class-B felonies; four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, class-B felonies; and four counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, class-A misdemeanors. Jones was arrested July 9 in the city of Saratoga Springs and is expected to return to court at a later date.

James G. Jones, 32, of Hamilton St., Albany, was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, class-B felonies; two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, class-B felonies; and two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, class-A misdemeanors. Jones was arrested July 9 in the city of Saratoga Springs and is expected to return to court at a later date.

Jennifer L. Samuel, 32, of 19B2 Jefferson Terrace, Saratoga Springs, was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, class-B felonies; two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, class-B felonies; and two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, class-A misdemeanors. Samuel was arrested July 9 in the city of Saratoga Springs and is expected to return to court at a later date.

Veeto J. Harris, 56, of Gridley Ave., Saratoga Springs, was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, class-B felonies; two counts of third-

degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, class-B felonies; and two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, class-A misdemeanors.

Harris was arrested July 10 in the city of Saratoga Springs and is expected to return to court at a later date.

Brad A. Bova, 32, of President St., Troy, was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, class-A-II felonies; two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, class-B felonies; and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, class-B felonies. Bova was arrested July 9 in the city of Saratoga Springs and is expected to return to court at a later date.

Christopher D. Lydecker, 42, of 69 County Rt. 70, Stillwater, pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, a class-C felony.

Lydecker was arrested October 15 in the town of Milton and is scheduled to return to court for sentencing September 9.

John F. Irvine, 21, of 46 Ballston Ave., Ballston Spa, pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree burglary, a class-C felony. Irvine was arrested November 3 in Greenfield for an incident that occurred October 27.

He has been sentenced to eight and a half years in New York State Prison and five years of post release, concurrent with Montgomery County, and restitution.

Peter W. Winslow II, 28, of 299 Pine St., Corinth, was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child in the vehicle, a class-E

felony; driving while ability impaired by drugs, a class-A misdemeanor; seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class-A misdemeanor; and endangering the welfare of a child, a class-A misdemeanor. Winslow was arrested June 11, 2010, in the town of Corinth and is expected to return to court at a later date.

Jason C. Hamm, 31, of Rt. 30, Vails Mills, was charged with firstdegree burglary, a class-B felony; second-degree burglary, a class-C felony; second-degree strangulation, a class-D felony; third-degree criminal mischief, a class-E felony; fourthdegree criminal mischief, a class-A misdemeanor; and two counts of third-degree assault, class-A misdemeanors. Hamm was arrested March 12 in the city of Mechanicville and is expected to return to court

at a later date.

Justin J. Sherman, 27, of 755 Rt. 29, Rock City Falls, was resentenced July 14 by Judge Jerry J. Scarano to one and a half years in New York State Prison and seven years of post release supervision, probation terminated. Sherman was originally convicted January 21, 2009, of thirddegree rape, a class-E felony, for which he had been sentenced to six months in Saratoga County Jail and 10 years of probation.

Joshua C. French, 27, of 372 Wilton-Gansevoort Rd., Northumberland, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while intoxicated, a class-D felony. French was arrested April 2 in the town of Moreau and has been sentenced to time served and five years of probation, to include drug treatment court.

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WEEK IN REVIEW

Skidmore Chefs Preview Dishes for Palamountain Scholarship Benefit

MarkBolles.com • Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS - On Tuesday, July 19, Skidmore Executive Chef James Rose offered a sneak preview of the innovative dishes to be served at the annual Palamountain Scholarship Benefit in the test kitchen at the college's Murray-Aikins Dining Hall.

Rose prepared two sample dishes - a farmers’ market salad with grilled peaches and duck, and roasted garlic sausage - in addition to four luscious desserts to be served at the August 2 event.

In its 32nd year, the Palamountain Scholarship Benefit, titled "Polo

by Twilight," is a major fundraiser for scholarship aid for Skidmore College students. Anyone interested in attending should contact Bob Kimmerle, director of community relations for Skidmore College: bimmerl@skidmore.edu, (518) 580-5744.

New Location 9/11 Sculpture

for

SARATOGA SPRINGS - A sculpture made of steel collected from the World Trade Center site following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, will now be located on the lawn in front of the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center and Heritage Area on Broadway.

The work of art, known as “Tempered by Memory,” was originally to be located in front of the newly expanded Saratoga Springs City Center.

Joel Reed, executive director of Saratoga Arts and supervisor of the project, noted that the new location will be less crowded and will allow a greater number of people to observe the sculpture from every angle.

Saratoga County Votes for Hiring Freeze BALLSTON SPA – At the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, July 19, the Board unanimously voted to institute a hiring freeze that will be in effect until December 31.

The exact amount that will be saved will depend on future turnover, but has been estimated to potentially be as high as $1 million.

Positions that are exempt from the hiring freeze include critical public safety and health positions such as

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Friday, July 22, 2011

deputy sheriffs, corrections officers and nurses. The county is facing a budget shortfall in 2011 that could be up to $9 million, and other costsaving measures are being examined.

Man Arrested for Using Counterfeit Money WILTON – After an ongoing investigation, police arrested a White Plains man for using counterfeit money at the Wilton Mall. Dario Harding, 32, was arrested for using a counterfeit $100 on June 29. He was arraigned on Tuesday, July 19.

Greenwich Board of Education Reacts to Recent Indictment of Superintendent GREENWICH – The Greenwich Central School District Board of Education announced on Tuesday, July 19 that it has placed Superintendent of Schools Matthias Donnelly on paid administrative leave, pending resolution of misdemeanor charges filed against him in Washington County Court.

Donnelly faces charges for his and the district’s response to allegations of teacher misconduct against Greenwich Elementary School art teacher Eric McHenry. Benjamin Pisani, the former Greenwich elementary school principal, has also been indicted.

TODAY

The decision is pending resolution of charges filed in Washington County Court in conjunction with the superintendent’s response to allegations of teacher misconduct that arose in March 2011.

Placing an employee on paid administrative leave is the standard course of action during active investigations and court proceedings.

Club Shadow’s Cancelled

License

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The New York State Liquor Authority voted on Wednesday, July 20 to cancel Club Shadow’s liquor license, and penalize its owner with a $15,000 civil fine for violating the state alcoholic beverage control law.

The Caroline Street bar’s license was suspended July 1, following a 40-50 person brawl that occurred on June 26. The clash broke out on the Club Shadow dance floor, spilled out onto Caroline Street and resulted in four police officer injuries.

Prior to this incident, the New York State Liquor Authority identified 19 liquor license violations at Club Shadow earlier that weekend.

City police were called to the establishment at midnight on Friday, June 24, and the owner voluntarily shut down for the remainder of the night.

“Peace Week” Proclaimed

by Mayor Johnson SARATOGA SPRINGS - In honor of the third annual Peace Fair on September 25, Saratoga Springs Mayor Scott Johnson declared the week of September 19-25 as “Peace Week.”

The proclamation declared “the city of Saratoga Springs seeks to be a peaceful and just community that is inclusive of all people and rejects violence as a way to resolve differences.”

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John J. LeRoux Saratoga Springs, NY - John J. LeRoux, 84, passed away on June 18, 2011.

Born in Saratoga Springs, NY, on October 1, 1926, John was a longtime resident of the city. His wife Ann Marsh LeRoux predeceased him in 1982. He was also predeceased by his second wife Kathleen Farone LeRoux and stepson John Farone.

He is survived by his five children, Patricia A. LeRoux Richardson of Jacksonville, FL, Philip J. (Jayne Howe) LeRoux of Fayetteville, NY, David E. (Mary) LeRoux of Eden Prairie, MN, Mark T. (Kathryn) LeRoux of Huntington, CT, and Maribeth LeRoux Carroll of Jacksonville, FL; six grandchildren, Thomas, Sarah, Amy, Ann Carroll, Harrison and Augustus LeRoux; sister, Dorothy LeRoux Lowe of McAllen, TX; stepchildren,

Suzanne (John) Farone Alderman of Frederick, MD, Linda (Albie) Farone Lewis of Johnsonville, NY, Joanne Farone Uris and Kathleen Farone, both of Saratoga Springs; and four step-grandchildren, Elizabeth and John Alderman, Alicia Lewis and Benjamin Uris.

A noon Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, July 22, 2011, at St. Clement's Church in Saratoga Springs, NY. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial donations be made to a charity, church or Hospice of choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs 584-5373.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

Adolph Michael Valente Saratoga Springs, NY - Adolph Michael Valente, 68, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 17, 2011.

Born in New York, NY, in 1942, he is the son of the late Adolph M. Valente and Michelina G. Pastore.

Survivors include his wife, Judy; sister, Lola Peck; children, Adam Valente and Angela Dimke and their spouses; and his granddaughters, Lauren and Gianna Dimke.

Funeral services will be conducted 10 a.m. Friday, July 22, 2011, at the Burke Funeral Home.

Burial with military honor will follow at noon at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wilton Emergency Squad, 1 Harran Lane, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

Grace M. Pelleschi Saratoga Springs, NY – Grace M. Pelleschi passed away Monday, July 18, 2011. She was 84.

Born on Jan. 25, 1927, in Ellenburg, NY, she was the daughter of the late George M. and Frances R. (McCoy) McKinney. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her beloved husband, Hugo J. Pelleschi, and a sonin-law, Thomas Hudson.

Survivors include four loving daughters, Mary Hudson of Saratoga Springs, Debra (Carlos) Zardoya of Miami, FL, Amy (David) Castricone of Schenectady and Julie (Lawrence) Rusch of Clifton Park; 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was conducted Thursday and burial will be at Memory’s Garden in Colonie.

Memorials may be made in her name to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or a Humane Society of your choice.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

It is the policy of Saratoga TODAY to publish obituaries as a service to our readers. Please send your obituaries to Christina James at cjames@saratogapublishing.com.

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Gwendolyn M. DeLaurie Saratoga Springs, NY Gwendolyn M. DeLaurie passed away Friday, July 15, 2011. She was 72.

Born on Oct. 15, 1938, in Saratoga Springs, NY, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Gertrude (Bennett) Kedzierski, and a lifelong resident.

Survivors include her daughters, Terri Newborn, Dale Bazaar and Jean Harris; her sons, Warren Wendle and Scott (Christina Lopez) DeLaurie; her grandchildren, Erica and Eric Newborn, Joseph Bazaar,

Starlett and Joshua Harris, Alex, Joshua and Victoria Wendle, Scott P., Ashley R., Nicole D., Danyela A., Joshua S. and Jacob I. DeLaurie; her great-grandchildren, Aliyah DeLaurie and Maria E. Hill; her former husband, Stewart DeLaurie; and many brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was conducted Wednesday, July 20, 2011.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

Thomas J. Donahue, Jr. Saratoga Springs, NY- Thomas J. Donahue, Jr., a lifelong resident of Saratoga Springs, passed away on Wednesday July 13, 2011. He was 70 years old.

Born on July 8, 1941, in Saratoga Springs, NY, he was the son of the late Thomas J. Donahue Sr. and Catherine Keeley Donahue. He was also predeceased by his brother, Donald Donahue.

Survivors include three brothers, William (Mary) King, John (Nancy) King and Paul (Mary) King all of Saratoga Springs, NY; three sisters, Catherine (Thomas) Bosley of

Saratoga Springs, Agnes (Frank) Welden of Greenfield Center and Margaret (Joseph) Migliaccio of Cazenova, VA; 21 nieces and nephews; and numerous greatnieces and nephews.

A mass of Christian burial was held at St. Peter’s Church in Saratoga Springs. Burial will be at Greenridge Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Esterville No Kill Animal Shelter, 100 Russell Rd., Greenfield, NY 12866. www.tunisonfuneralhome.com

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Mary E. Smith Saratoga Springs, NY - Mary E. Smith died peacefully at the Wesley Health Care Center on July 18, 2011.

Born on January 4, 1917, in Saratoga Springs, she was the daughter of the late Alexander and Julia (Cherry) Tougas. Mary was also predeceased by her husband of 76 years, Luther A. Smith.

Survivors include three daughters, Claire J. Hannah of Ballston Spa, Mary Lou Smith of Saratoga Springs and Irene M. White of Gales Ferry, CT; one son, George A. Smith of Virginia Beach, VA; a sister, Margaret Sodemann of Gansevoort; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A graveside service at St. Peter's Cemetery, West Ave., will be held on Friday, July 22, 2011, at noon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wesley Foundation, 131 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or to a charity of one’s choice.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

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TODAY

Equine Advocates Gala Reaches for the Stars!

Equine Advocates Gala

by Arthur Gonick Saratoga TODAY The leading lights of both the Thoroughbred and entertainment worlds will come together to once again celebrate the majesty of the equine as the Equine Advocates 10th Annual Awards Dinner and Charity Auction will occur in the new wing of the Saratoga Springs City Center on Thursday, August 4.

Equine Advocates is a national non-profit equine protection organization founded in 1996. In its 15 years, it has rescued thousands of equines, including horses, ponies, donkeys and mules from slaughter,

Thursday, August 4 Saratoga Springs City Center 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Tickets: $250; front tier - $500 For tickets/information: (518) 245-1599 www.equineadvocates.org Photos Provided Returning honorees Bebe Newirth and co-chairperson Bo Derek will each present awards at the 2011 gala

abuse and neglect. In 2004, the organization founded the Equine Advocates Rescue and Sanctuary, a 140-acre facility in upstate New York to further these aims.

All proceeds raised at the gala will directly benefit Equine Advocates horse

rescue, sanctuary and humane education programs. "This year's gala is extra special because it will mark the 10th anniversary of our annual event in Saratoga," said Equine Advocates President and Founder, Susan Wagner. “Many of our honorees of the past decade will be back to participate in this celebration.”

One past honoree in attendance will be two-time Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress, Bebe Newirth. Ms. Newirth will be presenting an award to one of this year’s honorees; Arlington Park Chairman Richard L. Duchossois will receive Ellen and Herbert Moelis Equine Savior Award for Philanthropy.

The event is co-chaired this year

by Julie Bonacio, who has been involved with this event for several years, along with actress and horsewoman Bo Derek. Ms. Derek, a past honoree herself, will be back to pres-

Equine Advocates Top Live Auction Items Some of the many superior live auction packages you will have the opportunity to bid on at the Equine Advocates Gala on Thursday, August 4: • 2012 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks ultra-exclusive Jockey Club suite tickets for four • "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in New York City (NYC) for four and a Tiffany diamond horseshoe necklace

Photo Provided 2011 Honorees: Jockey Kent Desormeaux and Chairman of Arlington Park Richard L. Duchossois

ent the Bo Derek Award of Merit to leading jockey Kent Desormeaux.

Additionally, Ms. Derek is directly involved as the centerpiece of one of a fantastic array of live auction items at the gala. The lucky bidder will get to enjoy brunch with Ms. Derek at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club on Friday, August 5. Other exclusive and singular live auction items include VIP access to the Kentucky Derby, Broadway shows and New York City shopping sprees, as well as original artwork and oneof-a-kind jewelry items (see side box for a list of highlighted live auction items). “I don't think we have ever had a roster of auction items this unique and exciting,” Ms. Wagner said.

• "Zenyatta," original oil painting

by Katie Upton • "Bubbles & Lingerie”: an afternoon in NYC for four to six people at the luxury showrooms of the world's largest producer of lingerie, slee wear and lounge wear; a personal stylist and fitter will help you select a wardrobe of 38 pieces from top designers. Champagne luncheon and private tour included.

• Brunch with Bo Derek at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club on Friday, August 5 • Three-day/two-night NYC Extravaganza: Includes four house seats to a Broadway show and dinner on Saturday, September 3;

With this amazing collection of star-power and glamour, it is important to focus on the reason everyone is lending their support. With the coming of another racing season, we will see arguably the world’s leading collection of Thoroughbred athletes at the pinnacle of their prowess, and it is incredibly important to raise awareness of what happens to the animals we love after their careers are over. The animals we cherish, our past, present and future heroes, deserve a humane existence, free of abuse and neglect, throughout every phase of their lives.

Ms. Wagner emphasized that this is a crucial time for supporting these goals. “The current recession has had a devastating effect on non-profit organizations, especially those dedicated to helping and protecting animals. For the past 10 years, we have come to depend on this event to help fund our vital rescue work and maintain the equines under our care."

To purchase tickets to the Equine Advocates Gala, call (518) 2451599.Visit equineadvocates.org to learn more about their programs, their passion, and the many ways you can support their goals.

New York Yankees field box seats for four with table service and limousine on Sunday, September 4. NYC hotel accommodations included.

• Waterford crystal chandelier from Wolberg Lighting Design and Electrical Supply • Beautifully handcrafted profile horse necklace by deJonghe Original Jewelry • “Tempered by Memory,” pastel drawing of the 9/11 Memorial Sculpture for Saratoga Springs by John Van Alstine • Toby Keith tickets with a “meet and greet” for two at SPAC on Thursday, September 8 • Exquisite 18-karat yellow gold horse necklace by Roberto Coin from Frank Adams Jewelers • Classe' Catering “White Glove Dining Experience” for 10 people • "Post Antics," bronze by Peggy Kauffman

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Friday, July 22, 2011

New Doctors on Staff at Saratoga Hospital Prime Business Dining Redesigns the Lunchbox for GlobalFoundries Employees

by Yael Goldman Saratoga TODAY MALTA - GlobalFoundries has chosen Prime Business Dining, a division of Mazzone Hospitality, to develop and run all food services for its new Fab 8 facility currently under construction in the Luther Forest Technology Campus.

Dining services will be designed to support the facility's 24 hour, 7 days a week operations, and offer breakfast, lunch and dinner for more than 1,400 employees.

Prime Business Dining has had a presence on the tech campus since February 2010, when the company was contracted to operate The Foundry, an 8,000 sq. ft. temporary dining facility located inside the Fab 8 construction site. The Foundry currently provides thousands of freshly prepared meals and food services to M&W Group construction teams, and will continue operations after the new permanent dining facility is built in order to service ongoing construction at the Fab 8 campus. In addition to The Foundry, the company also operates a kiosk at 107 Hermes Road in the Saratoga Technology + Energy Park (STEP).

“I am deeply honored and gratified

by GlobalFoundries' decision,” said Angelo Mazzone, owner of Mazzone Hospitality. “It is exciting to continue to be a part of this dynamic project, and it also demonstrates GlobalFoundries' commitment to working with local and regional companies that share their high quality standards.”

According to Norm Armour, vice president and general manager of Fab 8, GlobalFoundries conducted a competitive bid process that included large international companies. He said GlobalFoundries is pleased to announce that a local company was selected.

“As it's been said, 'an army marches on its stomach' and we're excited to be expanding our relationship with Angelo Mazzone and his team to serve our growing army of dedicated, talented employees, as well as our customers from all over the world,” Armour said.

With GlobalFoundries' growing and diverse staff in mind, Prime Business Dining is setting out to create a state-of-the-art, multi-cultural dining experience with the slogan "Redefining Your Lunchbox." The menu will feature a wide variety of choices from international specialties

to budget-conscious and quick-serve meals, all made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients.

Specialty dining stations staffed with culinary experts will offer everything from handrolled sushi to houseroasted deli meats. According to Mazzone, each station will provide healthy options and be equipped to accommodate special requests.

The Mediterranean station, for example, will include quick pizzas ranging from traditional pepperoni on fresh dough to a more exotic fig-andbrie on flatbread, while the Pacific Rim station will feature Asian cuisine for the company's global customers, visitors and employees looking for a taste of Asian “home cooking.”

GlobalFoundries recently moved into the campus to begin initial operations and when the Fab ramps to volume production in early 2013 it is expected to employ more than 1,400 direct employees. With the official opening just over a year off, Prime Business Dining began its preparations immediately following the announcement.

“The minute the contract was awarded we hit the ground running,” said Amanda Piccolo, Prime Business Dining manager. “We're anxious to get started serving food; we're testing recipes everyday.”

The new facility will create 25 jobs, and Prime Business Dining is hosting a job fair Tuesday, July 26 at the Hyatt in Malta to begin filling full and part-time hourly positions.

Company representatives will be onsite from 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. to meet with individuals interested in joining the Prime Business Dining family. The company has already posted job listings for executive and sous chefs, and management.

“We're excited to be part of this because it's what's happening in New York,” Piccolo said.

For more information about Prime Business Dining or to apply for a chef or managerial position, visit www.onereputation.com/.

SARATOGA SPRINGS Saratoga Hospital announced this week that it has welcomed four new doctors to its growing medical staff: Karin Borrelli, MD, Family Medicine, practices with ScotiaGlenville Family Medicine. She received her medical degree from St. George's University, Granada, West Indies, and is certified by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Sandra J. DeSantis, MD, Psychiatrist, practices at the

Saratoga County Mental Health Center. She received her medical degree from Albany Medical College. Dr. DeSantis is certified by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Psychiatric Association.

Patricia Ford, MD, Palliative Medicine, practices with Community Hospice. Dr. Ford obtained a master's degree in preventive and administrative medicine from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and received her medical

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degree from Cebu Institute of Medicine, Cebu City, Philippines.

She is certified by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Heather Madigan, DO, Hospitalist, practices with Saratoga Inpatient Physicians. She received her medical degree from the University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, Maine. Dr. Madigan is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

A Hollywood Ribbon Cutting for Siro's Trattoria Opening

by Yael Goldman Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS - A ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, July 22 will celebrate the grand opening of Siro's Trattoria in celebrity fashion. Kevin Dillon, a star on the HBO hit series "Entourage," will be on hand to cut the ribbon at 8:45 p.m. Free hors d'oeuvres and wine will be served.

Siro's Trattoria, which replaces The Lodge at 1 Nelson Avenue, is the spacious sequel to Siro's, the landmark trackside restaurant that is described as "America's oldest and most distinguished racing venue."

Saratoga Casino and Raceway, 1 Nelson Avenue property owner, is leasing the venue to Racing Restaurants of America, an investment group headed by Manhattan banker Keith Kantrowitz who has aligned himself with a handful of celebrity managing partners, including Dillon and his co-star Kevin Connolly. Paul Carlucci, publisher of the New York Post; Steven Schoenfeld, managing partner with MPS Global Securities; and several racing industry figures are also on board.

Racing Restaurants of America purchased Siro's last summer, and announced their plans for Siro's Trattoria this spring.

The new restaurant opened in the beginning of July with limited hours to unveil atmospheric

improvements to the old Saratogastyle building, including the addition of a new lawn bar. Friday's ribbon cutting marks the official opening of Siro's Trattoria, which will be open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday during racing season.

Spending a half-million dollars on indoor and outdoor projects, the restaurant partners set out to extend the culinary experience offered at Siro's to their new venue. The result is a versatile space styled in European flair that can host any occasion - small inti-

mate gatherings, large 350-guest celebrations, and everything in between.

Restaurant partners are marketing the trattoria as a space "designed for great evenings and table hopping among the celebs and locals."

"We feel we've succeeded in making a beautiful spot that's stately yet approachable - a sweet spot where good food, good friends and good times meet," said Keith Kantrowitz.

The restaurant can be reached at (518) 584-7988.

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SARATOGA

BUSINESS

Friday, July 22, 2011

TODAY

Young Artists, Entrepreneurs Recapture the Past

by Yael Goldman Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS - Daesha Harris and Thomas Dragonette are in the business of preserving memories.

The Saratoga natives, and young entrepreneurs, are the meticulous artistic team behind Visual Recollection, a year-old company located at 43 Washington Street that specializes in preserving namesakes, particularly photographs, by recreating originals in a durable, permanent digital format.

They're experts at white glove scanning, retouching, restoration, digital capture, and archiving of keepsakes.

As professional photographers and designers with "traditional values," Harris and Dragonette can carefully preserve your family photos (even the torn, water-damaged pictures you've been hiding in your basement) by producing a new version of the original.

Not only is the pair skilled and passionate about what they do, but they establish a unique relationship with each customer and project.

Harris and Dragonette grew up in the community where they're now doing business; they appreciate the history of each keepsake, oftentimes linking their own memories to depictions of people and place, and always share their clients' goal

of preservation.

"We love listening to people tell us their stories," Harris said.

After graduating college, Harris with bachelor's and master's degrees in studio art and photography and Dragonette with a design degree, the pair spent time working in San Francisco for prominent painter and fellow Saratoga Springs High School grad Jeremy Fish. By 2010, they were ready to start their own business - and what better place than their hometown, Saratoga Springs?

So, they established Visual Recollection, rented the secondfloor 43 Washington Street office, and got right to work on renovations. They transformed the neglected office into a chic, lofty art space that mixes contemporary elements with antique furnishings in a minimalist approach. The result was a work place that matches their business motto, "golden age meets digital age," just in time for their April 2010 grand opening.

Their first year in business has been a success, mostly because Harris and Dragonette offer a vital service that is otherwise out of reach, or outsourced. Unlike many major digital recapture companies, Visual Recollections does everything at one location; they don't outsource their clients' valuable collections or family heirlooms.

"We do everything in house, by hand. Once it's here, it stays here

Provided by Visual Recollections

Before and after. until you pick it up, and that's important to our customers because their items are irreplaceable," Dragonette said. "We love what we do, so we're really respectful of the materials. They are in good hands."

With their art, graphic design, and photo backgrounds, Visual Recollections is capable of meeting specific demands and nailing the vaguest requests.

"The majority of people just want reprints, but some keep it kind of open-ended, or come to us with a totally unique idea and we'll research how to do it," Dragonette said.

"We talk to every client before we take them on," Harris said. "A lot of people look to us to give them ideas or suggestions."

Some people want to repair a single photograph, or a whole suitcase of images, by recreating an exact replica, while others want to preserve their original copy, transferring signs of aging. Visual Recollections can fix tears, mold damage, burn marks, and even change colors and textures. The point is Harris and Dragonette can do anything.

"There are so many avenues, the opportunities are unlimited, and every person wants a different end product," Harris said.

Their services don't stop at photo preservation. Harris and Dragonette are artists - they love creative

MarkBolles.com • Saratoga Today

Daesha Harris and Thomas Dragonette specialize in digital restoration and archiving. assignments that allow them to think outside the box. For example, one client was looking for a way to compile his family history. He unearthed images and documents, traveled to faraway locations to photograph his relatives' homelands; and, when it was all said and done, he wanted to catalogue the items and tell a story that he could share. So, Dragonette designed an entire book from scratch.

The pair is currently working with a cabinet card collector, who wants to be able to enjoy his valuable portraiture pieces.

"They are worth a lot of money, and he doesn't want to have them out. We re-created the cards and are researching ways to display them so

he can actually enjoy the images while safeguarding the originals at the same time," Harris said.

It's clear that these young entrepreneurs love what they do. Harris and Dragonette are passionate about preserving stories and memories, and, for them, there's nothing better than offering this service to their neighbors.

"The best part is the reaction on someone's face when they see the final outcome," Dragonette said.

"People cry, laugh, smile - we know it makes them happy."

For more information about Visual Recollection, visit www.visualrecollection.com, call (518) 937-8379 or email info@visualrecollection.com.

Send your business news to Yael Goldman: news@saratogapublishing.com.

SARATOGA

TODAY

Friday, July 22, 2011

Announcements Accomplished Realtor Joins Select Sotheby's

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Arthur Cooper of Gansevoort has joined Keller Williams Realty Saratoga Springs as a licensed sales associate.

Prior to joining Keller Williams Realty Saratoga Springs, Cooper was affiliated with Stephenson Realty in Isle of Wight, VA, and Realty USA. He was recognized as Rookie Developer of the Year for his success in developing several rural residential subdivisions.

Cooper is a member of the National Association of Realtors, the New York State Association of Realtors and the Greater Capital District Association of Realtors.

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Turkish Bazaar Opens New Showroom

SARATOGA SPRINGS -Turkish at 506 Broadway on Friday, SARATOGA SPRINGS - Mary Lou Pinckney recently joined Select Bazaar, a boutique specializing in July 15.

Sotheby's International Realty as an handcrafted finery and décor from Owner Levent Derdiyok plans to associate broker. She specializes in Turkey, re-opened in a larger space maintain his original storefront at residential, new construction and apartment rentals, covering the Greater Capital District.

Pickney joins the Saratoga Springs real estate agency with over 15 years of experience. She is well-recognized in her field, and was rated in the "Top 100 Realtors" in the Capital District by the Albany Business Review. She also received a Women's Council Award and AN International Diamond Award.

"We are so happy to have Mary Lou Pinckney join Select Sotheby's International Realty. It speaks volumes for our company when an experienced top-producing agent chooses to join our team," said Joanne DiMarco, vice president of marketing and talent acquisition. “Mary Lou Photos by MarkBolles.com • Saratoga Today exemplifies the type of Realtor that Check out the new Turkish Bazaar at 506 Broadway. will grow and thrive with our brand."

Keller Williams Welcomes New Associate

BUSINESS 454 Broadway in the Saratoga Marketplace through track season before exclusively operating at the new 506 Broadway showroom.

Derdiyok said the move has been a long time coming. His business has been steadily growing since it opened in 2007.

"We were always looking for a larger space," said Derdiyok, explaining that it took a few years

for the right opportunity to present itself. "Finally, we found it."

He said 506 Broadway offers four times more space, and is thrilled about making the move.

For more information about the Turkish Bazaar, call (518) 5834828 or visit www.saratogaturkish bazaar.com.

SARATOGA

Friday, July 22, 2011

10

TODAY

Saratoga County Fair Pageant Winners for 2011

Baby Miss - Kylee Marie Blais, 15 1â „2 months - Ballston Spa

Baby Mister - Matthias Miller, 17 months - Ballston Spa

Tiny Miss - Olivia Boehnlein, 3 years - Galway

Tiny Mister -Tyler M. Perkins, 3 years - Ballston Spa

Little Miss - Alyssa Pisano, 4 years - Ballston Lake

Sweetheart - Arianna Craig, 6 years - Ballston Spa

Princess - Grace Glastetter, 8 years - Rock City Falls

Young Miss - Ryan Freemire, 11 years - Corinth

Honor Queen - Kelly Phillips, 16 years - Middle Grove

Miss Saratoga County Fair Queen Emma Briceland, 17 1â „2 years - Malta.

Congratulations to everyone!

Photos by John Epting

SARATOGA

TODAY

Friday, July 22, 2011

11

Saratoga Bridges’ “White Party – Havana Nights” Fundraiser nets over $80,000!

Photos: Courtesy of www.ImagePhotoEvents.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS - A record amount of $82,000 (net) was raised at Saratoga Bridges’ Gala on Saturday, July 16 as Gala Chairs Julie and Sonny Bonacio and their committee greeted close to 500 guests at the prestigious Fasig-Tipton yearling sales facility.

Many guests were dressed in white, and were photographed by Image Photo and Events. They danced to the band Gravity and enjoyed watching the Arthur Murray Saratoga Springs Dancers. Hall of Springs Catering (Mazzone Management) prepared a delicious buffet, DIAGO provided complimentary cocktails, Fine Affairs created festive décor, Black Iris Flowers fashioned gorgeous floral arrangements and a cigar roller was available to guests as well.

The silent and live auctions were held in the famed equine auction house and they alone brought in close to $40,000 for Saratoga Bridges’ programs and services.

SARATOGA

12

Friday, July 22, 2011

TODAY

SARATOGA

TODAY

Friday, July 22, 2011

13

Traffic Jam continued from Page 1 about, Stone Break Road, which connects to 67, will be closed for a two to three month period at its roundabout intersection with NYSERDA-owned Hermes Road.

Without Stone Break Road, GlobalFoundries commuters will lose access to Route 67, which, according to the 2003 Luther Forest Technology Campus (LFTC) Statement of Findings, is meant to be the main entrance to the Fab 8 site. Based upon current commuter patterns, the board anticipates the closure will cause “a significant increase in commuter traffic on Hermes Road,” and subsequently Dunning Street, thereby magnifying an already difficult situation.

Malta officials held a special meeting early Thursday morning, July 21 to take immediate action on the anticipated emergency situation, or “virtual gridlock,” on Dunning Street, due to the upcoming road closure. NYSERDA and GlobalFoundries representatives were in attendance.

Board members unanimously resolved to temporarily barricade the town-owned portion of Hermes Road at the roundabout to limit GlobalFoundries through-traffic, pending NYSERDA grants the authority to do so. NYSERDA traffic to and from Saratoga Technology + Energy Park is permitted.

Supervisor Paul Sausville said the barrier would act as a deterrent for commuters leaving GlobalFoundries via Luther Forest Blvd., directing them around the traffic circle to exit on Route 9.

With NYSERDA’s consent, the town would have the authority to regulate traffic at the Hermes Road barrier.

NYSERDA representatives stated they were unprepared to give a response at the meeting, but would immediately begin working with the town to investigate the detour.

“NYSERDA will have to look at the barrier and look at plans,” said NYSERDA Communications Specialist Alan Wechsler. “One of the issues deals with GlobalFoundries; they have a site

on our campus and [workers] must be able to go back and forth.” “[We are] confident this can be resolved easily, and will be doing this very quickly,” he said. “It is important for everyone involved.”

If NYSERDA concedes, the barrier would be used until construction is complete, which would resolve just the NYSDOT project’s contribution to the problem on Dunning.

To make matters worse, the construction project comes at a time when Saratoga County Roads are already seeing an increase in traffic.

“In addition to the detour traffic and the Dunning Street traffic, it’s also our peak summer time here in Saratoga County and we are seeing an influx of visitors,” Thomas said.

“We see a lot of out of state plates in the roundabouts.”

Many of those visitors are in the area for racing season in Saratoga Springs, where road construction is also wearing down on commuters.

Construction to the Exit 14 Route 9P overpass is slowing down travel in and out of the city, and locals are fearful the project will back up typical race course traffic onto the Northway. If congestion on the Northway backs up south of the exit, some speculate visitors unfamiliar with county roads with get off in Malta to try their luck on Route 9 North, thereby contributing to the congestion at Exit 12.

But even without the projected impacts, Dunning Street is carrying more traffic than town officials say it can handle.

As stated in the 2003 LFTC “statement of findings,” Dunning Street was to be “restricted to emergency access only,” which indicates that traffic should be limited to the main access, Route 67.

Councilperson Peter Klotz said the General Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) asserts that regular shift workers should not be using Dunning Street to Hermes as a main access.

Malta building and planning departments conducted traffic counts at specific intersections on Monday, July 11, and determined that nearly 40 percent of the traffic on Dunning was exiting and entering via Hermes Roadway.

“We need to shift traffic back to where it was intended to be, and that’s 67,” Klotz said.

Traffic congestion on Dunning Street is a major concern for town residents, particularly those who live in the Luther Forest neighborhood, the largest subdivision in the town of Malta.

“It sometimes takes 10 minutes to take a left onto Dunning,” said Thomas, who lives in a neighborhood off Dunning.

Joe Nial, vice president of the Fox Wander East Homeowner Association, expressed his concern that Dunning traffic is already negatively impacting the safety and daily lives of town residents.

“This is not something we can accept,” Nial said. “Even if it didn’t affect our daily lives, even if we didn’t have more exhaust fumes, more traffic jams, back-ups and delays; even if we did not have

[limited] access to an emergency– even if these were not factors, [the traffic on Dunning is] illegal; people should obey the law, including LFTC.” During Thursday’s meeting, GlobalFoundries Government Relations person Mike Russo commented on the difference between resolving the temporary and longterm traffic problems. He questioned the town’s reliance on the GEIS and statement of findings to assert that commuter traffic on Dunning Street is disallowed, and that 67 be the true access point.

“Main entrance doesn’t mean only entrance,” Russo said.

However, the Hermes Road barrier will only temporarily address commuter traffic influx due to NYSDOT construction. It seems that once the roundabouts are complete, the problem on Dunning will

persist as long as workers treat Hermes Road as a secondary access route to GlobalFoundries.

SARATOGA

Friday, July 22, 2011

14

TODAY

Family Volunteers at Caffè Lena continued from Page 1 1970s when Isaac’s grandmother Mae moved to Saratoga Springs to teach sociology at Skidmore College and began volunteering at Caffè Lena. Mae taught at Skidmore for six years before transitioning to a career as a well-known music reviewer for a local newspaper who frequently covered performances at Caffè Lena.

Through her passion and connection to the local arts scene, Mae established a close relationship with Lena, and introduced her sons Shawn and David to the unique Caffè community that Isaac is now such a vital part of.

Eventually, Shawn, who grew up

to be Isaac’s father, became as closely connected to Caffè Lena as his mother.

In part, that connection was doubled in strength when Shawn and his now ex-wife Phylise welcomed the third generation into the world: their son, Isaac, and daughter, Rosalie, who is named after a favorite folk performer.

Phylise’s history with the Caffè began on her own thread; she too was introduced to the scene as a child through her mother, and went on to volunteer as a teenager, often alongside Shawn’s brother, David.

The tradition was officially passed onto Isaac when he was 4 and Rosalie was 1, when they

attended their first performance at Caffè Lena.

“In those young childhood years, they would come to performances at Caffè Lena. By then my mom was no longer volunteering, she was there as a press person, and we would hang out at table 15, her table,” Shawn explained. Isaac and Rosalie would fall asleep under the table, as the music slowly seeped into their bones.

It’s at this young age that Caffè Lena Director Sarah Craig remembers first meeting Isaac.

“I remember when he was 4: his family would come for a concert here, and he would come back and talk to me,” Craig said. “There was always this conversation that he could volunteer when he got to be 13, when his mom said he was ready.”

As soon as he was old enough, Isaac began volunteering, and hasn’t stopped since.

He spends most weekends, sometimes all weekend, volunteering at the Caffè.

“Caffè Lena is a major part of me; I grew up there,” Isaac said, explaining how, other than helping shape his musical preferences, volunteering at the Caffè made him a part of a second family.

For Isaac, Caffè Lena has its own culture and community: “the people there, they just bring you right in; they are so eager to pull you into this family,” he said. And that unique sense of community is what, ultimately, grabbed Mae. “The Banner family’s connection is great. I love introducing Isaac to our customers as a third generation volunteer because, to a lot of people, the history of folk music is a family

tradition,” Craig said. “It seems to be a reflection of those kinds of values that are the underpinning of what has made folk music survive.”

Now, Isaac is getting ready to head off to College (he’s studying mathematics at Rochester Institute of Technology), and he’s coming to terms with the fact that he has become just a summertime volunteer. Fortunately, he leaves Caffè Lena in Rosalie’s hands. She began volunteering last year.

“There are a lot of people that hold Caffè Lena really close to their hearts, and Isaac lets it show,” Craig said.

SARATOGA

TODAY

Friday, July 22, 2011

Filming in Ballston Spa continued from Page 1 began as a collection of recipes and short stories in a cookbook, has since transformed into a full-length movie script, with Emmy Award-winning filmmakers and high-profile acting talent set to film throughout the greater Saratoga region.

“Chickadee” is based on the true story of a young Italian immigrant girl, Laurina Ecobelli, who found herself at the center of a controversial trial during the early 1900s. Written

by Lora Lee and Tom Ecobelli, the two Ballston Spa natives based much of their story on the diary of their late grandmother, Laurina, who kept a detailed account of events, oftentimes violent and painful, during the 1920s.

“We didn’t want to focus on the brutality of her situation, but rather the inner strength that saw her through those dark days,” said writer Lora Lee.

Emmy Award-winning director Arthur Allan Seidelman has signed on to lead the project, with actors Chris Cooper and Julie Kavner committed to the film.

After surviving a difficult childhood, Laurina grew up to own and operate Ballston Spa’s Ecobelli’s Restaurant on Church Ave., a wellknown and beloved community landmark for over 50 years. But many who knew Laurina, said writer Tom Ecobelli, knew little of her storied past.

“Nobody in that bygone era knew about what our grandmother had endured as a girl,” said Ecobelli.

“She wanted my sister and I to share her story in a way that would bring hope and healing to future generations. It was important to her that the story be told in a way that would encourage victims of abuse and exploitation to speak up – to put an end to the kind of suffering that had

Regional Visitor Center Plans Announced

by Yael Goldman Saratoga TODAY SCHUYLERVILLE - Public officials announced on Tuesday, July 19 plans to convert the former Town of Saratoga Town Hall into a new regional visitor center.

Assemblymen Steven Englebright and Tony Jordan, Senator Roy McDonald, and New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian Stratton, were among the local dignitaries who joined representatives from Siena College at Saratoga National Historic Park in presenting a conceptual design for the new Turning Point Visitor Center.

According to Town of Saratoga Supervisor Tom Wood, the new center will serve as a resource for visitors who travel to our region to enjoy its history.

"It's basically going to enhance and expand the experience of tourists that are in the area, to educate them about where to go and what they can see," Wood said.

The Historic SaratogaWashington on the Hudson Partnership, an act of legislation established in 2006 by McDonald and Englebright, is in the process of purchasing the town hall from the Town of Saratoga.

Located on Route 29 in Schuylerville next to Fort Hardy Park, the building, which has been vacant since 2008, sits on two acres of land and gets tremendous exposure to passing traffic.

Saratoga County Supervisor and

partnership representative Tom Richardson said the site is perfectly positioned for attracting and educating tourists.

"We'll be catching people coming from Washington County or Vermont, and the visitor center will let them know about the battlefield, national cemetery, sword surrender sight, Schuyler House, and other [sites]," Richardson said.

The project should take about three years, and once complete will help promote historic tourism not only for

15 in so many ways robbed her of her youth.”

And yet, in its earliest form, the project began as a simple cookbook – not a major motion picture.

“It’s funny,” said Lee. “We thought that we would record some of her recipes and turn it into a full-blown cookbook, with stories of her and the family. When we put it out there, the response was just so overwhelming.

Memories of our grandmother and how generous she was came flooding back. That’s really our motivation for bringing this back to our hometown and telling the story here.”

The cookbook, titled “Laurina’s Kitchen,” is currently being sold in an effort to help support and promote the film.

“The history is so important to this film. We really wanted it to be authentic,” said Ecobelli, who noted that many of the buildings and locations where the events of “Chickadee” unfolded are still standing in Ballston Spa. “Shooting the story where it took

the immediate Schuylerville area, but for both sides of the Hudson River from Waterford to Whitehall.

"This is another positive development in our long range plans of bringing economic growth and development to the area," Wood said. "The nice thing about historic tourism is that it brings in supporting businesses and visitors without putting stress or strain or governments."

For more information about the Historic Saratoga-Washington on the Hudson Partnership, visit www.upperhudsonpartnership.org/ .

place is an incredible opportunity for the filmmaker and the community,” added Director Arthur Allan Seidelman. “[There’s] nothing like it.”

If all goes according to plan, Seidelman expects to debut “Chickadee” at several major film festivals, including “festivals like TriBeCa, Toronto, Cannes, etc.”

Currently the project is still seeking additional funding before it begins pre-production in earnest this fall. Executives hope to begin shooting the film before the year’s end.

For more information, keep an eye out for www.ChickadeeTheMovie.com, which is expected to come online in a few weeks’ time.

SARATOGA

Friday, July 22, 2011

16

TODAY

Nobody Home Abandoned and Foreclosed Homes Sit Idly, Deteriorating and Decreasing Neighboring Property Values

by Daniel Schechtman Saratoga TODAY WILTON - Maurice Lynch remembers the day, nearly two years ago, when the neighboring family at 13 Peach Tree Lane packed up everything they owned and left, following the bank's

foreclosure on their home.

"It was a beautiful house," said Lynch, "and I know the people when they moved out were in tears. Two nice kids, a beautiful child, just a real joy. We miss them badly."

At first the home was put on the market with the Re/Max Real

Estate Company. But Re/Max folded, the house was for all intents and purposes taken off the market, and not a soul stopped by to check on the property.

"The first year the neighbors and I, four of us, took care of the lawn," said Lynch, "until it was attacked with the grubs, followed

photo by Daniel Schechtman - Saratoga TODAY

The abandoned home at 13 Peach Tree Lane in Wilton by the crows, followed by the moles, followed by the skunks."

For Lynch, the deteriorating property has become more than just an eyesore and a nuisance: "Now of course it's tax assessment time," said Lynch, who expects to see the negative impact reflected on his own assessment.

Two years after the house began the foreclosure process, it's no closer to being sold off to a new owner than the day Lynch's neighbors first vacated the property. The home on 13 Peach Tree Lane isn't the only abandoned home in the area. Town of Wilton Supervisor Arthur Johnson estimates that 12 to 15 homes are in a similar state in Wilton alone.

"They're mostly due to foreclosures, where no one is living in them and they're not being sold," said Johnson. "Some banks actually hire somebody to take care of them, and that's fine, but others don't do that. So the lawn gets overgrown and attracts rodents.

They can even attract vagrants who are trying to find a place to lay their head down inside. So it becomes a problem."

After bringing the issue to the Wilton Town Government, the town made several calls to Bank of America, who is charged with overseeing the property, and asked them to maintain, at the very least, the home's outward appearance.

"When we become aware that a house is vacant, we start the process of going in and securing

and maintaining the property," said Jumana Bauwens, a spokesperson with Bank of America. "But before that, we rely on either the borrower telling us that they've moved out, or a neighbor telling us that there's a property next door not being maintained, or even towns or cities that come and tell us. But it's very hard for us to find out a house is vacant until somebody informs us. When we find out that a house is vacant, we will begin the process."

In an effort to get ahead of the issue before similar situations arise, the Wilton Town Board has assigned a committee to look into the possibility of amending the town code. The proposed amendment would allow Wilton to maintain an abandoned or foreclosed property, and then bill the owner for the expense.

"I think we just need to have some leverage to protect the interest of the surrounding property owners," said Johnson, "so I think it's something we should do. It's important for those reasons."

According to Bauwens, foreclosed homes can remain vacant for an average of two to three years in New York State as parties grind through the foreclosure process. But once the proceedings have finalized and the home is confirmed to be vacant, she indicated that Bank of America will move swiftly to find a new owner for the property.

SARATOGA

TODAY

Friday, July 22, 2011

Gardner – Fein Sarah Elizabeth Gardner and Casey Ian Fein were married July 17, 2011, at the Saratoga National Golf Course.

Rabbis Linda Motzkin and Jonathan Rubenstein officiated.

The bride is the daughter of Susan and Eugene Gardner of Greenfield Center. The bridegroom is the son of Drs. Ronda and Larry Fein of Saratoga Springs.

The bride wore a floor length, ivory, silk J. Crew dress and carried a red and pink hand tied bouquet.

Following a reception at the golf course, the couple left for a 10-day trip to Israel. They reside in New York City.

The bride is a graduate of Hunter College where she received her M.A. in Special Education. She is employed as a teacher at Marta Valle High School in New York City.

The bridegroom is a graduate of Tufts University where he received his B.S. in Applied Physics. He is currently a tutor at Advantage Testing and is enrolled in the pre-med post-baccalaureate program at Hunter College.

The Hawley Foundation for Children Helps Saratoga Shine

The Hawley Foundation for Children is proud to announce that it has distributed over $104,420 thus far in 2011. Their mission is to promote the health, welfare and education of children in Saratoga County.

In particular, $44,420 in community grants was awarded to these organizations: Saratoga Center for the Family, Prevention Council, Transitional Services, Race Track Chaplaincy, Domestic Violence, Saratoga EOC, YMCA, CAPTAIN and Mechanicville Area Community Services Center. They also awarded $4,000 to Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar, $8,000 in College Incentive Grants to 4 students, $44,500 to Camp Saranac and Gavin Park for camperships and $1,641 in discretionary funds. Thank you Hawley Foundation for all that you do!

Ballston Spa Students Awarded First Place at the Saratoga County Fair Saratoga County Fair officials selected the Ballston Spa Central School District as the first place winner in the school exhibit competition for the third consecutive year! Student artwork and academic projects were entered from all six schools in the district, producing an outstanding exhibit.

More awards and information will be announced and updated on the district website at: www.bscsd.org.

It’s a Girl!

Dominic and Anastasia Pavlinic are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Milana Josephine Pavlinic. Milana was born July 8 at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, FL. She weighed 6 lbs. 1 oz. and measured 19 inches. Her father, Dominic, is from Freehold Township, NJ, and her mother, Anastasia, is a Saratoga Springs native. Proud grandparents are Stan and Janet Pavlinic, Val and Tracy Serbalik, and Dana Serbalik

Community Corthe ner MaryNell Morgan Participates in NEH Institute for College and University Teachers

17

Tooth fairy club

Take a look at this week’s new club members

Connor

MaryNell Morgan, of Greenwich, a professor at SUNY Empire State College’s Saratoga Springs location, was invited to participate at an interdisciplinary NEH Summer Institute, “The Role of Place in AfricanAmerican Biography,” at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. This four-week institute examined African Americans in New England from Colonial days to the early 20th century. Dr. Morgan is a W.E.B. Du Bois scholar who has studied and presented research on Du Bois in various forums, both academic and popular.

Jacob The tooth fairy club is sponsored by:

659 Saratoga Rd. Gansevoort, NY 12831 (518) 226-6010

SARATOGA

Friday, July 22, 2011

TODAY

THIS WEEK!

18

photo by Cathy Duffy for MarkBolles.com - Saratoga TODAY

The police drill team takes a ride around the Saratoga Race Course.

And They’re Off!

by Daniel Schechtman Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS - Horse racing fans rejoice - the start of the Saratoga racing season is finally upon us.

The Saratoga Race Course opened its gates for the official start of the 2011 season Friday, July 22, welcoming thousands of spectators to the 143rd meet at the historic track.

The grade III Schuylerville Stakes is set to kick things off Friday with a $100,000 purse, as 2year-old fillies race 6 furlongs around the track. The James Marvin Stakes, a sprint for older thoroughbreds, will follow later in the day.

With the races underway, many strolling the grounds will notice the return of fan favorite food vendors, such as the Putnam Market and Cantina, along with newcomers including the Old Daley Inn, the Irish Times, and a completely renovated Jim Dandy Bar - the Clubhouse's signature bar.

This year the Saratoga Race Course will also offer a variety of

family-friendly and affordable concessions, including the first-ever Dunkin' Donuts stand and additional backyard vendors offering $5 value meals, consisting of a hot dog or a slider, chips and a soda.

The savvy consumer may also notice a significant reduction in the cost of fan-favorite concessions, such as lemonade, popcorn and draft beers. A 16-ounce lemonade will now cost $3.50, as compared to $4.50 or more last season; a 32ounce container of popcorn has dropped from $4.50 to $3.75; 12ounce domestic draft beer has dropped from $6.75 to $3; and import draft beer has been reduced from $8 last season to $4 this season. (The least expensive options last season were 20 and 16-ounce drafts. 12-ounce draft beer was not available.)

For racing fans unable to make it to the track in person, this year's season will feature more television coverage than ever before. Between NBC and Versus stations, eight hours of racing excitement can be viewed every Saturday between the hours of 5 - 6 p.m. Check your local listings for further details.

FIRST RACE POST TIME: 1 p.m. On Travers Day, Saturday, August 27, first race post is 11:35 a.m. On Party at the Spa, presented

by Coors Light, Fridays, July 29 and September 2, first race post time is 2:30 p.m. On Labor Day, Monday, September 5, first post is 12:30 p.m.

ADMISSION: General admission is $3; Clubhouse admission is $5.

Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Admission gates open at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10:30 a.m. on weekends. On Travers Day, Saturday, August 27, gates open at 7 a.m. Travers Day admission is $5 general admission; $10 for Clubhouse. Reserved seating is sold separately. On Party at the Spa, presented by Coors Light, gates open at noon.

PARKING: Trackside parking is $10 and general parking is free.

Handicapped parking is available at the Clubhouse and Grandstand entrances. Parking gates open at 7 a.m. on Travers Day, Saturday, August 27. There is also Oklahoma Preferred Parking for $5 on the cor-

ner of East Avenue and Union Avenue (not trackside).

COOLERS: Coolers are permitted at Saratoga Race Course on the trackside apron, Top of the Stretch and the backyard area ONLY. No coolers will be allowed anywhere inside the building. ALL GLASS CONTAINERS ARE PROHIBITED. All coolers and any carry-in items are subject to inspection by NYRA Security.

RESERVED SEATS: A limited number of Grandstand seats are on sale each morning of a race day at the Reserved Seat Sales Office at the Union Avenue Gate at 9 a.m. (7 a.m. on Travers Day, Saturday, August 27). Closed Tuesdays. There is a limit of four seats per person. Cash, American Express, Visa, and MasterCard are accepted. Clubhouse seats Monday, Wednesday and Thursday are $11 per seat; on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, they are $16 per seat. Grandstand seats are $7 per seat on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; $9 per seat on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Travers Day, Saturday, August 27, Clubhouse seats are $26 and Grandstand seats are $19. After

On-Track Music

photo by Cathy Duffy for MarkBolles.com - Saratoga TODAY

A future jockey takes a ride during the open house celebrations.

Day Date W-Sun Each Week F-Sun Each Week

Performer Reggie’s Red Hot Feetwarmers New Orleans Jitterbugs Swing Dancers

F Sat Sun M M W Th

Franklin Micare Bobby Van Detta Upstate Bluegrass Band Tequila Mockingbirds Annie and the Hedonists The Lustre Kings Rick Rourke and Lost Wages

7.22 7.23 7.24 7.25 7.25 7.27 7.28

Opening Day phone orders are accepted until 4:30 p.m. each racing day. No telephone orders are accepted for “Day Of” or “Sun Seats.” For more information on reserved seats, call 1-800-814-7846.

DINING: NYRA has simplified its restaurant reservation system with a toll free dining reservations number (888) 516-NYRA. Dining options include: the Turf Terrace Dining Room, Club Terrace, At The Rail Pavilion, Carousel Restaurant, and The Porch.

Special Events OPENING DAY AT SARATOGA: Friday, July 22. Gates open at 11 a.m. and first post time is 1 p.m. A breakfast buffet is available from 7 - 9:30 a.m. for those who want to watch the morning workouts.

HATS OFF TO SARATOGA: Friday, July 22 – Sunday, July 24. This three-day festival celebrates opening weekend at Saratoga Race Course and includes a terrific weekend of world-class racing, live music downtown and at the track, and dazzling headpieces to celebrate the start of the racing season.

20th ANNUAL HAT CONTEST: Sunday, July 24. The topper to “Hats Off to Saratoga” weekend - visitors will go head-tohead in the annual Hat Contest at the track for prizes worth hundreds of dollars. For contest information call (518) 383-6183 and after July 22, call (518) 584-6200.

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Backstretch Beat “Community” Doesn’t Begin to Tell the Story Photos by Cathy Duffy

by Marion E. Altieri Saratoga TODAY The backstretch of a racetrack is one of the most misunderstood work spaces in the world—if it’s known at all. Basically defined, the backstretch is the part of a race course where the horses live and are trained. A more-full definition of the word might be: “the community of dedicated horse lovers who feed, bathe, comfort and love the equine athletes who are entrusted to them—and the support system of those who shore up this Tribe of the Horse.”

Most new trackgoers don’t even realize that the backstretch exists, never mind that people live and work there with the horses that put on the show. First-timers can’t be blamed for their lack of information: from their seat on the front of the property, all they see are the beautiful equine athletes—shiny and muscular, decorated with brightly-colored, smallish-looking human beings atop.

The horses magically appear on the track, look gorgeous and race.

Easy.

Not so much. It takes years to get a horse ready for his or her first race, and a team of hard-working grooms, hotwalkers, veterinarians, farriers, trainers, assistant trainers, head- and assistant-starters and exercise rid-

ers—did I leave anyone out?—to prepare a horse for her racing debut.

Keeping the horse healthy and sound is a daily concern. Like ballerinas who work for decades to make it to Lincoln Center, racehorses from inception are fated to be the object of daily spa treatments, an intense exercise regimen—and then, when the time is just right, put onto the track to see if they have the stuff to make it in the sport.

Each horse has staff: the women and men who touch, handle, serenade, talk-to and cajole them. They are the ones who know, intuitively, if a horse is feeling a little off, or has gone sour altogether. Each of the people in every one of these jobs is vital and necessary; without them, horse racing could not take place.

Every backstretch has a support system. The horses’ team members work daily, rain or shine, from beastly-early hours ‘til late at night.

It’s hard physical and emotional labor. It is a job with no expiration date. As with rearing a child, the prospect of raising a racehorse can be fraught with despair. And there’s no guarantee that your horse will become the next Rachel Alexandra or Secretariat. But each moment of joy and pride—when your horse wins—are worth 1,000 discourag-

ing days. And the pride of personal investment makes up for a lot of lost races and bucked shins.

It starts with the Horse, and the people who protect and serve, daily caring for the animals with whom they are in a relationship. This circle expands, then, to include those who provide services such as cooking meals in backstretch kitchens, delivering hay, and trucking muck.

And then there are the organizations that support the workers, with social events and recreation.

(Everyone deserves a break, especially when work is so taxing.) The backstretch is a microcosm of the real world: there’s no lack of need for services such as ESL classes,

spiritual, substance abuse, and other counseling and medical care.

These priceless offerings come to the employees of the back via groups like B.E.S.T. (Backstretch Employee Service Team), the Race Track Chaplaincy, and regional community organizations that offer assistance as it’s needed. (CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services in Saratoga County is a fine example.)

This goes on in every backstretch, from Saratoga to Keeneland, Arlington, Santa Anita and Monmouth—and everyplace in between, every corner of the world -365 days a year.

If it takes a village to rear a child, it takes a metropolis to get a racehorse to the track for that first-ever race, and then maintenance and

Continued page 22

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Friday, July 22, 2011

Getting Started

Marilyn Lane It’s a tremendous feat to open a race meet. A big part of that chore is to get the horses ready to start— not just fast and fit, but schooled to enter the starting gate and break with precision.

It looks so easy. As fans place last minute wagers, the horses approach the starting gate. Tom Durkin calls out: “They’re at the gate,” and next comes his famous cry, “and they’re off.”

Looks can be deceiving. That whole process is not so easy. Horses are flight animals, and to get them to enter into that metal cage is just about

as far from their natural instinct as you can get. When a field of horses loads smoothly and breaks cleanly, it is the result of a lot of people having done a complex job extremely well.

In New York, “starting gate” and “Bob Duncan” are synonymous. He has literally rewritten the book on how horses are handled in the gates.

Bob worked his first race for NYRA in 1967. Although in college at the time, racing was in his blood too.

“My dad was a gyp trainer,” Bob candidly offered, which translates into working the minor circuits and most often with cheap and/or lame horses.

Bob learned from watching his father that this was not a course he wished to follow.

There must have been glue on Bob’s boots the day Manny Gilman (NYRA Veterinarian) asked him to help out on the gate. Bob stuck to it and made a career out of that chance happening. Recalling back, Bob said, “I loved it right from the start.”

Duncan became a full-time assistant starter for NYRA in 1970, and in

1993 was named head starter. In 2004 he stepped down from the starter’s stand in order to concentrate more on the schooling aspects. Since that time he has headed the gate team at the Oklahoma Training Track and acts as a consultant. He spends his winters near Payson Park in Florida and handles perennial champion-trainer Todd Pletcher’s gate schooling at Palm Meadows Training Center. Like the robins, Bob returns to Saratoga every spring.

Asked to trace back his style of working with horses, Bob handed off more credits than Julie Krone did at her Hall of Fame induction. But in the end, his philosophy harkens back to something he said years ago, “If ever there was a symbiotic relationship on Earth, it’s the one between horses and humans.”

About his early days on the gate, Bob revealed, “Early on I sensed there had to be a better way; I just didn’t know what it was.”

Old school starters pretty much got horses in the gate through intimidation. When one hesitated, out came the buggy whips, ear tongs and a lot of yelling to boot. Bob compared it to walking into a room where everyone is speaking a language you don’t understand. He said, “Think what it would be like to be in that situation, surrounded with people yelling at you, and you without a clue of what they want you to do.”

Bob continued, “I began to experiment with subtleties; I think that’s where I first came to recognize how well horses respond to pressure and release techniques.” (This is a key part of the Pat Parelli programs Bob engaged in later.) If you watch the assistant starters closely you will see them employ this—a step forward, then a hesitation, letting a horse get his bearing before again applying pressure.

Bob Duncan is a modest kind of guy and when you try to praise what he does his response is, “What I do and what a lot of people do now isn’t anything new. It’s not revolution, it’s evolution.”

Bob is a student of natural horsemanship, or what some call horse whispering. It isn’t magic or anything weird; it is simply learning to speak the horse’s language.

Not everyone has bought into the new ways (which are actually very old ways), but thanks to guys like Monty Roberts, Pat Parelli and our

Friday, July 22, 2011

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Photo by provided NYRA.com

own Bob Duncan, a growing population of horsemen are using kinder techniques to train horses.

Monty Roberts is quickly recognized via his best-selling book, “The Man Who Listens to Horses: The Story of a Real-Life Horse Whisperer.” It’s all about nonverbal communication. Bob studied with Monty and brought the sensible lessons back to the gate. In Bob’s own words, “I read Monty’s book, spent a week at his training center and we appeared together on a panel at the Annual Symposium on Racing at the University of Arizona.” But he admits, “It wasn’t until I went to one of Monty’s clinics and actually did his signature Join-Up® that the true significance of his techniques became clear to me.”

The Join-Up® traditionally takes place in a round pen and it’s all about communication and understanding.

Once trust is established, a horse

comes to a person with a willingness to “join up” and accept that person as his leader. It’s a watershed moment for anyone who has ever experienced it.

I could feel the excitement this breakthrough brought to Bob. He continued, “I drove back to Belmont—I had my son with me. It was like 3:00 in the morning when we got back and we went right to the gate, slept a couple of hours in the car and when the gates opened for training…”

The starting gate pulled Bob out of college years earlier, but eventually his educational path led him to something even more important- a higher consciousness.

Later, the esteemed natural horseman, Pat Parelli, became aware of Bob’s work and subsequently invited him to participate in one of the renowned Parelli International Savvy Conferences. All of this stuff is about

as far from “breaking horses” as you can get. Enlightened students soak it up like sponges. About his experience Bob said, “The guy is just a great teacher and his clever way of telling you stuff makes everything memorable. I learned so much.”

Bob’s quest for a better way has come a very long way. And yet, he’s still trying to learn more from each horse that steps behind the gate.

At the end of Monty Robert’s book I found this quote, “My goal is to leave the world a better place, for horses and people, than I found it.”

Anyone who has had the privilege to watch Bob Duncan school horses and work with his assistant starters knows that Monty’s goal is shared.

Bob and his team truly feel the connection between themselves and horses. There is something very special about people who possess this understanding. It’s a great start toward a better world.

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Backstretch Beat: It takes a metropolis...

Photo by Cathy Duffy continued from Page 19 more training, every day thereafter.

This weekly column in “Winner’s Circle” is titled, Backstretch Beat.

During the remaining five weeks of the Saratoga meet, you will get a feeling for the rhythm of the backstretch: like the ocean, much lies beneath the surface. Horse racing is

not all pageantry and glory; it is grit, and guts and sweat equity and long, long hours. Also like the deep-blue sea, it is teeming with life and beauty and bustling, hither-and-yon.

Next week, and the weeks thereafter, you will meet some of the committed people who spend their lives working together as a welloiled machine with heart. These

good people have but one goal in mind: to sculpt a magnificent, buff, healthy racehorse—and then keep that horse hale, safe and on-track (literally and figuratively).

This community will fascinate you, for it is one of very few professional environments in which so many employees sleep, eat, play and work together, virtually 24/7, ad infinitum—and beyond.

Regardless of their role, the work of a racetracker is hard. Their lives can be challenging, as well, but are made more comfortable and “normal” by the aforementioned, strong support systems in place. The horse needs her people, and her people get what they need from the greater society that strives together with

them as family, friends, helpers, coworkers—creating a place that is unique. Backstretch Beat is about the lives, loves and dreams of those who make it all happen; they work so that we fans can sit back and enjoy the theater before us.

The New York Racing Authority

backstretch tours give a glimpse into this throbbing, vibrant, lively, oftenfunny, sometimes-sad gang of thousands, but a tour can only whet your appetite for more. More information, more life, more brilliant colors—all the hues that make this place a secret garden.

One thing is certain: the Egyptians didn’t have any more efficient builders of the Pyramids than the teams that build racing champions, one Thoroughbred, one day at a time.

SARATOGA

TODAY

FOOD

Friday, July 22, 2011

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FRESH VEGETABLES & GARLIC MAKE GREAT, EASY STIR-FRY

Suzanne Voigt Farmers’Market

Summer has arrived on Saratoga farms and the zucchini, summer squashes, garlic, peas, corn, onions, herbs, peppers—you name it, are ready to harvest and put on the table.

Today I went to check on my own vegetable garden and wow—it seemed to have gone crazy over night! Yellow squash, zucchini, corn and peas were all plump, gorgeous and calling out to be picked and devoured. I just love this time of year! The choices seem endless for culinary delights and tonight I decided a delicious, quick and easy stir-fry was in order. It’s a great way to enjoy the bounty and not spend tons of time over a hot stove.

The key to any stir-fry success is the use of fresh quality ingredients and good preparation. Get all of your ingredients out on the counter.

Cut up all the vegetables at once and cut them all to an equal size. Mix your oils with seasonings beforehand and let them sit for a few minutes to add to the flavor. Always be sure to use a hot wok (or suitable large pan). Stir-fry goes quickly, so be ready!

Ingredients Makes about 4 servings (Don’t be confined by the ingredients listed here- use what is in the

garden at the time and what you like. Some of my other garden favorites for stir-fry are braising greens, bok choy, broccoli and green/ yellow peppers. Also, tofu can be added for extra protein.)

1 med zucchini 1 med yellow squash 1 pint snow peas (or snap can be substituted) 2 large ears of corn (cut kernels off cob) 2 T peanut oil or canola oil (or possibly a little more if you don’t have a non-stick pan) 2-3 garlic cloves minced 1 onion, sliced fairly large (1/4 1/2 inch wide) 1/4 tsp. kosher salt 3 T oyster sauce (in the Asian foods section of any supermarket) 1 batch of rice, cooked or pasta

Directions 1. Start rice/pasta cooking and keep your eye on it while you stirfry.

2. Get all ingredients and utensils out and ready on the counter near the stove.

3. Cut vegetables into pieces that are the same size and same shape, cutting away the inner seeds from squash before you cut them into short strips about 1/4 inch wide.

4. Heat wok or frying pan until it’s too hot to hold your hand over it.

Add the oil and heat about 30 seconds, then add minced garlic and sliced onion and cook 20 seconds, stirring constantly.

5. Add the zucchini and squash and peas in pods all at once, add salt and cook, stirring every 20-30 seconds until vegetables are barely starting to soften and then add the corn and stir another 30 seconds.

(Corn kernels are much smaller in

size and will cook faster and are therefore added slightly later than the larger vegetables.)

6. Add oyster sauce, stirring gently so all the vegetables are coated with the sauce. Cook about 2 min-

utes more, stirring a few times.

Serve hot over rice or pasta.

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SARATOGA

PETS

Friday, July 22, 2011

TODAY

Blessing of the Animals Jill Sweet Whiskers and Tales

When I was a kid, I went with my family to an Episcopal church in North Hollywood most Sundays.

I went until I was 13 years old, confirmed and allowed to take Holy Communion. I promised my mother I would go to church until I passed through these rites of passage, but then after my first Communion, I never went back.

My mother said this was not unusual (I had become a rebellious teenager), but that when I got older I would start going back to church again. Well, I am almost a senior citizen now, and guess what? I went back to church last August and will go again this August. What brought me back was a service devoted to the “Blessing of the Animals.” It was held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs.

I really enjoyed the service last

year. People brought dogs, cats in carriers, and even reptile pets.

Amazingly, it seemed that the animals knew they were in church and were quiet and attentive. I brought Moses and my friend Sandy. Sandy, who is the president of the Friends of the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, had recently lost her dog Michi to a sudden illness. After Sandy and I joined in and sang some hymns and listened to a reading and a story, the pet remembrance ritual began. Members of the congregation could light a candle and say a few words about a pet they had loved and lost. It was the most moving part of the service.

Sandy sat on the bench to my left and Moses sat on the floor at my right. When Sandy quietly shed a few tears thinking about her Michi, Moses pushed past me and put his head on her lap as if to comfort her.

The whole event was lovely and this year when Linda Wilkes, who had been the service leader last year, asked me to participate in this year’s Blessing of the Animals, I said of course. To plan for the service, Linda, Nedra Stimpfle, Cynthia Klopfer and I met at Virgils, a sweet little tea and sandwich shop on Henry Street. The décor reminded me of my grandmother’s comfortable sitting room. Nedra,

Cynthia and I had our dogs with us.

We made our plans for the next Blessing of the Animals service to be held on August 14 at 10 a.m.

The Unitarian Universalist Church is located at 624 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. You do not have to be a current member to come to a service. Everyone is invited and well-socialized pets are welcomed too for this special occasion. Now that they have put in a ramp, who knows? I might just start going to church regularly. My dear mother would be pleased about that. But when I was a kid in North Hollywood, I had never heard of a Blessing of the Animals, so I thought I would do a bit of research on the topic. This is what I learned: The Blessing of the Animals is associated with Saint Francis of Assisi who is considered the Patron Saint of animals and of the natural environment, or what we now refer to as ecology. There are stories about Saint Francis being able to converse with birds. Statues of him

usually have birds sitting on his open hands, shoulders and head with other animals curled up at his feet. According to the Catholic calendar his feast day is October 4th.

Because of this, most churches that celebrate the Blessing of the Animals do so on or near this date.

It seems like the Catholic Church, the Church of England, and the Episcopal Church have been practicing the Blessing of the Animals most widely. There are disagreements within these churches and denominations, however, as to the validity or the importance of celebrating the Blessing of the Animals. In fact, some individual priests will not conduct this ritual.

In more recent times the practice has appeared in a variety of protestant churches as well. I also found a reference to a Blessing of the Animals as a new tradition in Judaism. Nevertheless, I could not confirm this claim. In rural areas it is not uncommon for horses, pigs, sheep or cows to be included in the blessing ceremony. Often times

with these larger animals, there will be a procession outdoors.

If you have an animal you would like to be blessed, or if you would like to light a candle for one that is no longer with you, mark your calendar for Sunday, August 14. Also, after the service Moses and I would love to meet you and your pet.

Quinn the Tail Waggin' Tutor is BACK! He'll be at the Saratoga Springs Library August 16, 23, and 30 from 11noon. Quinn will lie quietly and listen so your child can relax and practice the skill of reading aloud. Call 584-7860 ext 3 to sign your child up for a 10 min. reading session.

Animals Available at the Saratoga County Animal Shelter for adoption.

For More Information Call (518) 885-4113.

Add is a neutered 5-yearold male cat who loves to snuggle. He is the sweetest cat and needs a loving home where he can thrive.

Fannie is a spayed 2-yearold female who loves to hunt! She can catch unwanted rodents and keep gardens safe. Fannie would do best with a lot of freedom and a rural home.

Casey is a gorgeous 5year-old cat who was brought to the shelter because her owner was moving. She is spayed and eagerly awaiting a new home!

Jessie is a young, female German shepherd mix looking for a fun-filled family to take her home today!

Chloe is a 4-year-old, spayed Lab mix. She is a great dog with a real sense of adventure that sometimes escapes and loves to dig.

Wizard is a beautiful brindled pit bull who is in desperate need of a loving home. He has been at the shelter since the end of April and would love a forever home!

SARATOGA

TODAY

Friday, July 22, 2011

local briefs Safe Routes To Schools Survey Safe Routes to Schools, in partnership with the Saratoga Springs City School District, is interested in feedback about students walking and biking to school. The information provided will help the committee develop priorities for the upcoming school year. Please take a moment to fill out the survey, which is available on the school district’s website at http://www.saratogaschools.org/SafeRoutesSurvey .

Tech Time TECH Time is being held on the following Tuesdays from 1:30 4:30 p.m. at Prestwick Chase at Saratoga: July 26, August 2, August 9, 16 and 23. Stop in to meet with Apple and Business Consultant, Robert Braathe, to ask questions about business and computers, iPads, iPhones and more. For more information, contact Robert at (518) 290-0812 or visit http://www.prestwickchase.com/tech-time.

Caregiver Support Group Evergreen Adult Day Services, 357 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa, an affiliation of the Wesley Community in Saratoga Springs, hosts a Caregiver Support Group on Tuesday, July 26 from 3-4 p.m. This group is designed for caregivers, families and friends of people with dementia. For more information, please contact Trudi Cholewinski, at (518) 691-1516.

Grant Cottage’s Chat” Series

“Porch

A guided tour of the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage often leaves visitors with the desire to return to the New York State historic site. Special events, lectures, and other activities entice them to return, while providing a little something extra for firsttime visitors. Thus the “Porch Chat” series was initiated with the expectation that the public will consider the site a continuous resource for learning about this significant time in our nation’s history.

These “Chats” (held every other Wednesday on the cottage porch) will consist of various portrayals and readings involving individuals who played a role in the life of Grant.

Wednesday, July 27, the second chat in the series will commence with a portrayal of Charles Wood, the Troy businessman who, when he learned that General Grant was broke, sent him $1,500, attaching a note with the check that read "I owe you this for Appomattox." Steve Trimm, a remarkable portrayer, will begin the program at noon on the cottage porch. The chats are free

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and guided tours will be available at the regular rate. A schedule for the Porch Chats can be found on the Grant Cottage website.

For more information, call 518584-4353 or visit www.grantcottage.org.

Celiac-Sprue Support Group Our next meeting is Tuesday, August 2 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Glens Falls Hospital Auditorium A on the lower level. A gluten-free dinner of barbecued ribs will be available for all who attend, cooked

by Amy Rota Poulin, author of the cookbook, “Cooking Gluten Free with Amy.” There is no charge for the dinner, but you are asked to bring a fresh raw vegetable for Amy to use in a vegetable dish for the dinner. Dessert will be served as well.

Please RSVP to Jean McLellan at jeanmclellan@gmail.com or (518) 584-6702.

Military Book Sale The Museum Store at the New York State Military Museum, 61 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs will conduct the annual summer book sale for the next four weeks from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Hardcover military books and soft cover nonfiction will be further reduced on Fridays and Saturdays. Also, the Museum Store has a fine selection of gifts for everyone including children.

Special sales will be introduced for each day. Likewise, while at the store, please visit the new exhibits at the Military Museum. Contact Museum Store Manager Hector Lugo at (518) 226-0490 for further information.

Galway Seniors Rail and Sail Trip Join us on August 10 and 11 as we take Amtrak to Plattsburgh, then the ferry to our hotel, where there will be a wine and cheese reception, a barbecue and a bonfire. The next day enjoy a Lake Champlain lunch cruise. $277 for a double, $364 for a single, and $262 for a triple. Call Betty at (518) 885-4360 or Doris at (518)882-9905 to register.

Non-Gala Event Rebuilding Together

for

It’s gala season in Saratoga Springs but Rebuilding Together Saratoga County wants you to stay home for their Non-Gala Event.

Rather than go to the expense of a tuxedo or dress, shoes, babysitter and gala tickets, please stay home for our gala. Enjoy your beautiful home and give thanks knowing you helped make a less fortunate family’s home a little better. Please visit the website to RSVP www.rebuildingtogethersatrtoga.org or call the office at (518) 695-3315. With your help, Rebuilding Together Saratoga

County will continue to assist Saratoga County homeowners who are elderly, disabled, low-income or a veteran.

Dare to Dream Gala Benefiting the Prevention Council on Monday, August 15, this evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Hall of Springs. Entertainment

by Soul Session and Garl and Nelson. For tickets, call (518) 5811230 or visit preventioncouncil.org.

The National Museum of Dance Gala The “Silver Anniversary Gala” on August 6, at 7 p.m., will be held at the Museum with guest of honor, Ann-Margret who will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the museum. Being awarded for their 25 years of service to the National Museum of Dance and the arts are Marylou Whitney and the Swyer Family, on behalf of Lewis A. Swyer. Call (518) 584-2225 or email info@dancemuseum.org for more information or to request an invitation.

Non-Profit Opportunity

Fundraising

For each of HomeMade Theater’s opening nights of the 2011-2012 season, 100 tickets will be offered to a non-profit group at half the regular price. The group may sell the tickets to friends, supporters and the community at full price and keep the difference of up to $1450. As an additional benefit, the participating organization may promote their organization by adding an insert to the opening night playbill or posting a sign in the Spa Little Theater lobby. Only one organization will be given this opportunity for each opening night, so contact HMT at (518) 587-4427 or info@homemadetheater.org as soon as possible to secure your opening night.

Backpacks of Hope The Women in Business Committee seeks donations of backto-school supplies such as backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, glue sticks, etc.

Donations of personal care items are also welcomed year round. Anyone who wishes to participate in this worthy program can do so by bringing donations to the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County, located at 15 Park Avenue in Clifton Park (behind Shoppers World Plaza).

Questions about the program should be directed to Liz Roggenbuck at (518) 371-7748, ext. 108. The Women in Business Committee members will gather to fill the backpacks with the assembled school supplies on Wednesday, August 10 at 8:30 a.m. at the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County Executive Education Center in

Clifton Park.

Angel Food Ministry Angel Food Ministries has no age limit or income limit. We offer balanced nutrition and variety with enough food to assist in feeding a family of four for a week for only $31. The local order and distribution site is Trinity United Methodist Church, 155 Ballard Road, in Wilton. All food is picked up at the church on the third Saturday of each month between 11:30 a.m. and noon. For more information, contact Tami Stahler at (518) 798-2016 or visit www.angelfoodministries.com.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) If you are looking for support in losing weight in a sensible manner, please join us at either of the two meetings listed below.

Wesley Health Care Center, Day Activity Room, 133 Lawrence St, Saratoga Springs We meet every Thursday at 7 p.m., with weigh-ins from 5:456:45.

Trinity United Methodist Church, 155 Ballard Rd. Wilton We meet every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., with weigh-ins from 5:30-6:30. Annual membership is $26 with monthly dues of $5.

Vendors Needed •The Saratoga-Wilton Elks Ladies Auxiliary is looking for flea market vendors for an indoor market to be held September 25 at the Lodge, 1 Elks Lane from 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

The cost for an 8 foot table space will be $15 each paid in advance.

•The Christ the Savior Orthodox Church in Ballston Lake will hold its flea market on Saturday, September 24. Vendors are needed.

Outside spaces are $25 and inside spaces are $35. For more information, call (518) 363-0001 or email: xcsavior@yahoo.com.

Saratoga Bridges Receives Grant Saratoga Bridges received a grant of $1,000 from the Puffin Foundation, Ltd., based out of Teaneck, NJ, to purchase supplies, materials and pay professional artists for their project, “Breaking down Boundaries through Art.” The project is held at Creative Endeavors Art Center located at 49 Front Street in Ballston Spa. Since these items are not funded by traditional funding sources, this grant is especially welcome.

upcoming town meetings Town of Ballston: Ballston Town Hall 323 Charlton Road • 885-8502 www.townofballstonny.org 7/27: Planning Board agenda meeting, 7 p.m.

7/27: Planning Board meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Village of Ballston Spa: 66 Front Street • 885-5711 www.ballstonspany.org 7/25: Board of Trustees meeting, 7:30 p.m.

7/27: Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Town of Greenfield: 7 Wilton Road • 893-7432 www.townofgreenfield.com 7/26: Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m.

Town of Malta: 2540 Route 9 • 899-2818 www.malta-town.org 7/25: Town Board workshop, 7 p.m.

Town of Milton: 503 Geyser Road • 885-9220 www.townofmiltonny.org 7/28: Zoning Board meeting, 7 p.m.

City of Saratoga Springs: 474 Broadway • 587-3550 www.saratoga-springs.org 7/25: Planning Board workshop, 5 p.m.

7/25: Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7 p.m.

7/27: Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m.

Town of Saratoga: 12 Spring Street, Schuylerville 695-3644 www.townofsaratoga.com 7/25: Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7 p.m.

7/27: Planning Board meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Village of Schuylerville: 35 Spring Street • 695-3881 www.villageofschuylerville.org Town of Stillwater: 66 East St., Riverside Mechanicville, NY 12118 www.stillwaterny.org 7/25: Zoning Board meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Town of Wilton: 22 Traver Road • 587-1939 www.townofwilton.com 7/28: Zoning Board meeting, 7 p.m.

Saratoga County Board of Supervisors: 40 McMaster St., # 1 Ballston Spa, NY 12020-1985 (518) 885-2240 www.saratogacountyny.gov 7/27: Sewer District # 1 Commission meeting, 3 p.m.

7/28: Technology Committee meeting, 3:30 p.m.

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Saturday, July 23 Ballston Spa Farmers’ Market

july

22 -july 29 events Friday, July 22 Meet the Author Brendan O’Meara Barnes and Noble, 3029 Rte. 50, Saratoga Springs Brendan O’Meara, author of “Six Weeks in Saratoga,” will be meeting and greeting race fans at 11 a.m.

English Spoken Here Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St. For those from other countries looking to improve their English.

Begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Glasby Room. Open to all.

Saratoga Children’s Theater 64 Hamilton St., Saratoga Springs “The Pirates of Penzance Jr.,” will be performed at 1 and 7 p.m.

Tickets are $5 at the door. For more information, visit www.saratoga childrenstheatre.org.

Greenfield Farmers’ Market Middle Grove Town Park, Middle Grove Road From 4 -7 p.m. every Friday, come to buy your fresh produce for your weekend grilling.

Wine Tasting, Live Music & Wood Fired Pizza The Saratoga Winery, 462 Rt. 29 West, Saratoga Springs Kick off racing season the right way at the Saratoga Winery! Live music opening night featuring Schuyler's Dream Team, Orapello's wood fired pizza, handcrafted wine and more. For more information, visit www.thesaratogawinery.com.

Free Admission.

Fresh produce, flowers, meats, crafts and more! 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, and Thursdays from 36 p.m. at Wiswall Park, Front Street in Ballston Spa. (518) 885-2772.

Saratoga Outdoor Farmers’ Market High Rock Park, High Rock Avenue, Saratoga Springs From 9 a.m.-1 p.m. enjoy Saratoga’s premier market, featuring meats, local produce, eggs, soaps, seasonal items and more. For more information, call (518) 638-8530.

Flower Show The Schuylerville Garden Club will present its annual Standard Flower Show today from 1- 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 24 from 1- 4 p.m. in the Town Hall, Route 29, corner of Spring & Broad Streets in Schuylerville. Admission and refreshments are free.

Tang Museum Family Day Children ages 5 and up with an adult can enjoy a brief tour of a current Tang exhibition followed by a hands-on art activity. Free and open to the public. From 23:30 p.m. at the Tang Museum, Skidmore College. For reservations and information, call (518) 580-8080.

Sunday, July 24 Summer Stroll Tours begin at 10:30 a.m. Allow 90 minutes for each tour. Cost is $5 per person for members and $8 for non-members. For more information or to make a reservation please call (518) 587-5030 or go to www.saratoga preservation.org.

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Today’s tour is entitled: “Heart & Soul: A Restored West Side” and will meet at Franklin Street, near Gideon Putnam Cemetery.

Every Monday from 3-6 p.m. shop local vendors offering fresh produce, meats, and other local goods. Open to the general public.

Saratoga Springs’ Congress Park and focus on Stile’s biography of Vanderbilt, “The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt.”

Summer Concert Series in Congress Park

Camp Saratoga 5K Trail Series

Summer Film Festival: “Fateless”

The Summer Concert Series on Congress Park begins Sunday, July 24 at 7 p.m. Opening the series will be the local jazz ensemble Almost Uncommon, who fill the park with relaxing notes for all to unwind on a beautiful summer evening.

Jazz in July continues on July 31 with the popular duo Sonny and Perley.

August brings a special Thursday evening performance with the 42nd Infantry Division Band as they complete their summer tour in Congress Park. This 35 member band is designed to entertain audiences of all ages.

The Series continues on Tuesday evenings throughout the month of August: August 9 Maggie Doherty and Zac Rossi August 16 Betsy and the Byegons August 23 E’Town Express August 30 The Resonators

This series of runs will be held at 6:15 p.m. on Monday evenings July 27, August 8 and August 22.

Registration is $5 day-of. This is a low-key, fun event. For more information, call Laura Clark at (518) 581-1278, email info@saratogastryders.org, or visit www.saratogastryders.org.

Skidmore College, North Broadway, Saratoga Beginning at 8 p.m. in Emerson Auditorium. For more information call (518) 580-5599.

North Woods Tour Skidmore College, North Broadway, Saratoga Springs The tour will focus on various aspects of local history, flora and fauna. The walk will start at 2 p.m. and will meet at the kiosk near the Falstaff’s pavilion on the Skidmore College campus. For further information on the North Woods, contact Riley Neugebauer, sustainability coordinator at Skidmore, (518) 580-5865 or email rneugeba@skidmore.edu.

Friday, July 22, 2011

All concerts are 7-8:30 p.m. and are weather permitting. Bring your lawn chair, picnic dinner and enjoy this Saratoga summer tradition.

Flower Show See information on Saturday above.

Monday, July 25 FAB 8 Neighborhood Meeting GlobalFoundries and M+W U.S. will host the next quarterly meeting from 6-7 p.m at the FAB 8 construction site: 400 Stone Break Road Extension, Malta. Representatives from GlobalFoundries and M+W will provide updates on the Fab 8 project and answer questions. Refreshments will be served.

English Spoken Here Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St. This class for those learning our language begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Glasby Room. Open to all.

Prestwick Chase Farmers’ Market 100 Saratoga Blvd., Saratoga Springs

Imani Winds Luzerne Music Center, 203 Lake Tour Road, Lake Luzerne The Luzerne Chamber Music Festival will present Imani Winds with Toby Blumenthal, piano, at 7:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students. For more information, visit www.luzernemusic.org.

Tuesday, July 26 Story Time Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St. The following programs require no registration, and meet in the Crawshaw Story Room.

Toddler Story Time for children ages 24-42 months from 9:30-9:50 a.m.

Preschool Story Time for children ages 42 months to 5 years from 10:15-10:45 a.m.

Preschool Story/Craft Program for children ages 42 months to 5 years from 2-2:45 p.m.

Pond Exploration Delegan Pond, Scout Rd., Wilton This program is held by Wilton Wildlife Preserve at 10:30 a.m.

Preregistration is appreciated.

Come dressed appropriately for the weather and for insects. Takes place rain or shine unless there is thunder and lightning. For more information, please call (518) 4500321 or visit the website at www.wiltonpreserve.org.

Program is also on August 2.

Pulitzer Prize Winning Author to Reintroduce Commodore Vanderbilt to Spa City Pulitzer Prize winning author T.J. Stiles will reintroduce Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt to Saratoga Springs in a free history lecture on Tuesday, July 26, at 7 p.m.

This hour-long program will take place in the Canfield Casino in

Wednesday, July 27 Story Time Barnes and Noble, 3029 Rte. 50, Saratoga Springs At 11 a.m. join us every Wednesday for stories and crafts. Open to all ages.

The Zucchini Brothers Saratoga Springs Library, 49 Henry St. Shows offered at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Dutcher Community Room, no tickets required, but space is limited. For ages 3 and older. For information, visit www.sspl.org.

Saratoga Farmers’ Market High Rock Park, High Rock Avenue, Saratoga Springs Saratoga’s premier market featuring meats, local produce, eggs, soaps, seasonal items and more.

Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, call (518) 638-8530.

Turkey Dinner Saratoga- Wilton Elks Lodge #161, 1 Elks Lane, Route 9, Saratoga Springs.

From 4:30-7 p.m. Complete dinner with soup, salad, entrée, dessert and coffee/tea. Cash bar available. Adults $9, children (ages 5-12) $5, under 5 free, seniors and military with ID $8, takeout $10.

Teen Improv Showcase Saratoga Springs Library, 49 Henry St The teen summer improv group has worked for weeks to put together a show, but they need the final piece to bring it all together: The Audience! It’s a free show from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and open to everyone in the community.

Hoedown on the Farm Little Theater on the Farm, 27 Plum Road, Fort Edward

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Friday, July 22, 2011

Beginning at 7 p.m. Yodeling Cowboy Ernie Sites and friends will perform. Admission is $10.

For information, visit www.littletheater27.com.

K of C Bingo The Knights of Columbus, Pine Road, Saratoga Community bingo each Wednesday at 7 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. Refreshments will be available. Call (518) 584-8547 for more information.

Thursday, July 28 Children’s History Program Schuyler House, Route 4, Schuylerville.

At 1 p.m. This free program is open to children ages 5 and up and offers fun ways to learn about what children’s lives were like during the time of the American Revolution. Today’s theme is “Let’s Dress Up!” For more information, call (518) 664-9821, ext.

224 or visit www.nps.gov/sara.

Ballston Spa Farmers’ Market Fresh produce, flowers, meats, crafts and more! From 3-6 p.m. tonight and 9 a.m. - noon every Saturday at Wiswall Park on Front Street. For more information, call (518) 885-2772.

Concerts in the Park Series Wiswall Park, downtown Ballston Spa From 6-8 p.m., bring your blankets, lawn chairs and a picnic and dine al fresco while enjoying the music.

Bingo The Jewish Community Center of Saratoga Springs, 84 Weibel Avenue Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first game beginning at 7:15. The building is wheelchair accessible and has smoking and non-smoking sections. Refreshments for sale. For more information, call (518) 584-2370.

Feed the Hungry Concert SLS Band and Christine Ohlman perform for the benefit of the Saratoga Homeless Shelter and Wait House at 6:30 p.m. at the Lake George Forum.

Tickets may be purchased at www.lakegeorgeforum.net. Bring

a non-perishable food item. Raffle to win a handmade acoustic guitar.

Friday, July 29 Friday Night Dinner Knights of Columbus Hall, corner of Rte. 29 and Pine Rd., Saratoga Springs Menu selections, grilled outdoors over real charcoal, will include grilled salmon steak, garlic and wine-marinated rib-eye steak, and Chef Bill's famous BBQ ribs, as well as a grilled chicken salad and a special dessert beginning at 5 p.m. in the pub. All are welcome. For more information, call (518) 584-8547.

Upcoming Cardboard Boat Race Hudson Crossing Park presents its Cardboard Boat Race on Saturday, August 13 (rain date Sunday, August 14) at Fort Hardy Park Beach on Route 29 in Schuylerville from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

The first race launches at 1 p.m.

Admission is free for spectators.

Pre-registration discounts and more information can be found at www.hudsoncrossingpark.org.

Racing participants will construct a “human-powered” boat made of corrugated cardboard or 100% recycled materials, that will hold at least 1 crew member and be “seaworthy” enough to race a short distance on the river. Racers may construct their boats ahead of time or on the morning of the event where materials will be available at the event site for a nominal fee.

Jail House Rock This race, sponsored by Brookside Museum, takes place on Saturday, August 13 at 8:30 a.m. The entry fee is $22 pre-registered (through 8/10/11), $27 (8/11/11 through 8/13/11). To register, visit www.active.com or www.brooksidemuseum.org, or call the museum at (518) 885-4000.

Thomas the Tank Engine Thomas will visit North Creek on August 27 and 28 and September 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

These fun visits include a 25 minute ride on the train, and other children’s activities. Tickets are available by calling Ticketweb at (866) 468-7630, or by visiting www.ticketweb.com/thomas.htm l or www.sncrr.com. Ticket prices are $18 plus tax and fees for ages 2 and up.

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Support Our Troops Give Peace of Mind with a Piece of Home

by Christina James Saratoga TODAY Several local organizations need community support to continue providing valuable services to our military personnel deployed overseas. It is especially important to soldiers and their families that deployment is as comfortable and stress-free as possible, and often a care package from home can really make a difference.

The Blue Star Mothers of America The Blue Star Mothers Capital Region Chapter is currently collecting items for their Freedom Boxes in several local donation locations. The chapter sent out 647 boxes last year and hopes to do even more in 2011.

Each box contains pieces of home for the soldiers. Granola bars, Chap Stick, beef jerky and trail mix are just some of the many items needed, as well as monetary donations to help with postage (each package costs about $10.95 to mail).

“These boxes let the soldiers know that people at home are thinking of them,” Chapter President Janet Moran said.

Freedom Box Donation Locations: • • • • • • •

Roohan Realty, 579 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Elks Lodge #161, 1 Elk Lane, Saratoga Springs Wheats and Sweets Bakery, 88 Front Street Ballston Spa Business Products, 1763 Rt. 9, Malta Halfmoon Town Hall, Courtyard Entrance Met Life Auto and Home, 2648 Rt. 9 Malta First Niagara Bank, Rt. 50, Ballston Spa

The Capital Region Chapter is also hosting a few upcoming events to secure funds: • Donny “Elvis” Romines Fundraiser Friday, August 12, at the Saratoga Elks Lodge Join the Blue Star Mothers for a fun-filled evening full of entertainment and raffles in honor of our troops.

Doors open at 5 p.m. with a 7 p.m. start and the cost is $10 per person.

Local “Yellow Ribbon Lady,” Carol Hotaling, is running the Donny Elvis fundraiser again this summer.

“I’ve sent out about 500 fliers and have over 40 gift card donations already available for the raffle,” she said.

Local businesses like Longfellow’s and SPAC donated gift cards to be raffled and both Donny Elvis and the Elks Club volunteer their services for the troops. “We really need donations for the postage.” Carol said. “We expect a few hundred people to attend and that might not sound like a lot, but it really helps.”

• Tunnel 2 Towers Run Sunday, September 11, at Washington Park in Albany A 5K walk/run event honoring the courage and dedication of first responders, military men and women, and their families. The event begins at 10 a.m. and registration is $25. To register, or make a donation, visit www.tunneltotowersfoundation.org/albany.aspx A complete list of needed items, as well as information on upcoming events can be found on the Blue Star Mothers’ website, www.capitalregion2bsm.org/. Monetary donations can be sent to NY2 BSM PO Box 243, Delmar, NY 12054.

Operation Adopt a Soldier and Books for Troops Books for Troops (BFT) and Operation Adopt a Soldier (OAAS) are combining efforts in a unique fundraising project to continue providing soldiers with much-needed care packages and reading materials. While the personal items and the books are all donated, the postage to send them is costly, so BFT and OAAS are turning to the community for help. They will be collecting scratch-off lottery tickets and will use them to decorate a Christmas tree which will be raffled off this Holiday Season.

Scratch-off tickets should be mailed to Books for Troops, 152 Oak Brook Commons, Clifton Park, NY 12065. Monetary donations by check, payable to Books for Troops and sent to the same address, are also being accepted.

Raffle tickets for the Christmas tree, $10 a piece, will be available for purchase starting in August. For more information about purchasing a ticket or ways you can help, visit www.booksfortroopscp.webs.com or www.operationadoptasoldier.org.

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Friday, July 22, 2011

CrrrAzy Fun!

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Local Gigs

Photo by MarkBolles.com

The hip cats of Saratoga Children's Theatre performed “The Aristocats” on Friday, July 18 as part of a youth theater education program. The colorful cast jazzed a sold out crowd with energetic song and dance numbers like the favorite “Everybody Wants to be a Cat.” - Mark Bolles

Send listings to entertainment@ saratogapublishing.com

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Friday, July 22, 2011

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Blue Mountain Lake Museum Acquires New Art with an Old Flair - Available for viewing locally at Wilton Artist’s Studio for a limited time

The Viking Band Metal Mondays at Putnam Den Monday, July 25, at 9 p.m.

63A Putnam Street, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-8066 / www.putnamden.com Also playing: Restless Streets, Curse the Mariner, Johnny Booth, Forget Tomorrow, Farewell Dreamer Admission: $3 ages 21+ / $7 ages 18-20

Image Provided

It is somewhat surprising to learn that The Viking Band will be making their first Saratoga Springs appearance next week, particularly when one learns that they are the defending champs in both Metroland Magazine “Best of” polls – the reigning reader and staff favorites.

It’s less surprising when you notice The Viking’s genre – they won in the “Metal” music category.

According to guitarist Jesse Winchester, he and the other Schenectady area-based band members (Nate Danker – vocals; Madison Peruzzi – guitar; Dan Cramer – bass; and Josh James – drums) are not really starstruck by their regional prominence. “It’s an expensive hobby,” Jesse says, “but one that we enjoy.” Their labor of love has its rewards in consistent, mostly weekend gigs regionally with occasional forays into Jersey or up to Potsdam, and the band is working on a second, seventrack release. Their original music has some interesting titles, as might be expected, including “Class Action Pant Suit” and “Bonnie Gets Lyme Disease” among others.

For those unfamiliar with the genre, be careful not to generalize, for sometimes pre-conceptions can be misleading. Jesse noted that all his band members draw their influences from wide-ranging and unconventional sources, including classical and jazz. He describes their on-stage persona as “aggressive, but without anger.”

While there certainly is an audience for the music style of progressive/hardcore up here (and sometimes in surprising quarters: my colleague Yael Goldman, the epitome of upscale class and gentility, is the person who touted me about The Viking, noting that is was her “favorite hardcore band… by far.” Those that know her can pick your jaw off the table now), what has been lacking heretofore is a consistent place for it to be played.

Enter “Metal Mondays” at Putnam Den – an every-other week phenomenon coordinated by Gary Miner of the group Curse the Mariner (to whom Jesse expressed gratitude for including his group) in conjunction with the Den’s eclectic music-loving management.

Kudos to “The Den” for giving this type of music, as well as other under-served genres, a place to find an audience. Consider this as a choice when you are looking for a somewhat less-than-gentle alternative to the hoi polloi invasion over the next six weeks.

- Arthur Gonick

WILTON - “The Guide” is a one-of-a-kind sculpture designed and made especially for the Blue Mountain Lake Museum, to capture the Adirondack history and the relationship between the wilderness and a guide’s life.

Artist mi Chelle Vara used the museum logo as inspiration. An Adirondack guide boat also has many important characteristics which are specifically highlighted.

The sculpture stands 12 feet tall, 15 feet long and 5 feet wide. It is made with repurposed metal, colored in translucent pain,t and finished with a clear coating.

Ms. Vara has created many historical pieces using recycled metals. She chooses metal for its history to tell a story by way of unconscious perception.

The sculpture will be released to the museum on July 30. Until then, it can be seen at Ballard Road Art Studio, 6 Ballard Road in Wilton. To arrange for a private viewing please call (518) 587-8706. For more information on Ms. Vara, visit www.michellevara.com.

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Friday, July 22, 2011

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The Philadelphia Orchestra will shine in a Season of Stars at SPAC beginning July 27 -Opening Week to Feature Marin Alsop and Sarah Chang, Live Screening of “Casablanca” and Award-Winning Actor David Hyde Pierce SARATOGA SPRINGS – Globally renowned artists, classical and contemporary programming, multi-media performances and exciting “Pre-Shows” will highlight Saratoga Performing Arts Center's (SPAC) 2011 Season of The Philadelphia Orchestra presented by HSBC Bank USA, N.A. "Our goal this season is to continue connecting new and longtime audiences to the exhilaration of the live performing arts and the uniqueness of the SPAC experience,” said Marcia J. White, SPAC's president and executive director. “Yet, our cornerstone – our core commitment - is stellar, world-class programming.”

“New York City Ballet just concluded a season of breathtaking, world-class dance that has reviewers and audiences buzzing that the company has entered a new ‘Golden Age.’ Magnificent performances will continue as the globally acclaimed musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra join us to present a dynamic program highlighted by a star-studded cast of guest conductors, soloists and special guests.”

2011 Season Highlights (July 27- August 13) • Opening Night of the Orchestra’s 2011 Season will be led by Maestro Marin Alsop, Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and

one of the world’s leading conductors. Also headlining the evening will be violin virtuoso Sarah Chang.

• Special guests appearing during the season include Emmy® and Tony® Award winning actor David Hyde Pierce, who will bring his distinctive voice to the narration of Britten’s classic Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. A Saratoga Springs native who often attended performances of The Philadelphia Orchestra and New York City Ballet with his family during his childhood, Mr. Hyde Pierce’s return to SPAC is a special highlight of the season.

• Award-winning producer John Goberman, best known as the creator of the “Live from Lincoln Center” series of television specials, will bring the silver screen to SPAC’s stage for a first-ever full-length movie screening of “Casablanca” with a live soundtrack and guest conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos.

• Three-time Grammy®-winning saxophone superstar Branford Marsalis joins The Philadelphia Orchestra for a unique evening of classical-meets-jazz.

• A series of accomplished guest conductors will take the podium including Giancarlo Guerrero, music director of the Nashville Symphony and recent Grammy winner; Frenchborn Stéphane Denève, current music director of the Royal Scottish

Photos Provided

National Orchestra; and Bramwell Tovey, music director of the Vancouver Symphony.

• An exceptional lineup of classical soloists will perform during the season including incomparable cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who will perform Shostakovich’s compelling Cello Concerto No. 1; globally acclaimed violinist Gil Shaham performing Tchaikovsky’s brilliant Violin Concerto; and superstar pianist Emanuel Ax in Mozart’s elegant Piano Concerto No. 22.

• “Cirque de la Symphone,” one of the most popular programs of last season returns for TWO performances this year, one evening conducted

by Stéphane Denève and the other by Rossen Milanov. Some of the most accomplished cirque artists in the world will perform astounding acrobatic and aerial feats uniquely choreographed to classical masterpieces.stra.

Ticket Information: • Lawn Seating: $20

Children 12 and under are free on the lawn • Amphitheatre Seating: $31 - $72.50 (on August 3 and 13, add $5) • Special Student Pricing: $10 lawn; 25 percent discounted amphitheatre tickets For a complete schedule or to purchase tickets, visit www.spac.org.

Tickets are also available at the SPAC box office or by calling (518) 5849330.

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Friday, July 22, 2011

Mimosa Gallery presents paintings by Susan Wiley SARATOGA SPRINGS- An opening reception for the exhibition “Affirmations: A Conscious Choice” is this Saturday, July 23, from 5-8 p.m. at Mimosa Gallery, 70c Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs. The public is invited.

“Affirmations: A Conscious Choice” features watercolors by Saratoga artist Susan Wiley. Wiley states that “...each ‘Quiet Image Pro Strength vided ’ by Susa Image Provided painting has a purpose, whether it is to tell a n Wiley y ile W n sa Su s’ by story or learn about something or some place ‘Summer Gathering in a more intimate way.” Wiley’s work relays a sense of centering and home. Florals, vegetables or fruit are nearly always included in her work. This offers a living element to her paintings - they are a conscious effort to affirm the positive in life.

The exhibit will continue through September 4. For more information, contact Michelle LaLonde at (518) 583-1163.

Ballston Spa Film Festival Announces Event Schedule Photo Provided

BALLSTON SPA - The Ballston Spa (International) Film Festival (BSFF) has announced its current schedule of events for this year’s festival, held in downtown Ballston Spa from August 4-6. Admission is free and open to the public.

Every year, the festival accepts entries to be considered for awards in 11 categories which include separate categories for amateurs, professionals, and students. The short films are judged by a panel of Hollywood professionals.

Past festival winners have gone on to win many other honors, including 2009’s Best Animated Short Film Academy Award winner, “French Roast,” by Fabrice Joubert, which followed its BSFF premiere.

Entries this year include films from Australia, Russia, Poland, England, Germany, Spain and India, in addi-

tion to entries from filmmakers here in the Capital Region.

Festival Event Schedule Thursday, August 4: 8 p.m. – Screenings at Ballston Spa High School auditorium (Note: a complete schedule of films will be posted at www.bspafilm.com shortly before the festival) Friday, August 5: 8 p.m. – Fire Dancers in Wiswall Park 9 p.m. – Screenings in Wiswall Park, including 2011 Oscar-nominated short “The Gruffalo,” narrated by Helena Bonham Carter 11 p.m. – After party featuring music by Patti Rothberg at Sunset Café Saturday, August 6:

Vesper

11 a.m. – Editor’s workshop at Brookside Museum 1 p.m. – Screenings at Ballston Spa High School auditorium 9 p.m. – Screenings in Wiswall Park 11 p.m. – After party and award ceremony with music by Vesper at The Brickyard.

For more information on the films and events, visit www.bspafilm.com.

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Grab a Taste of Country…and BBQ! - Competition Series makes New York Debut at Saratoga Casino and Raceway SARATOGA SPRINGS - The New York debut of an event that promises to be popular will combine some spicy competitive BBQ contests with a healthy dose of worldclass country music. The “Taste of Country BBQ Nationals” will occur on the grounds of Saratoga Casino and Raceway on Saturday, July 30.The gates will open at 11 a.m.

Produced by Townsquare Live Entertainment and sponsored by Price Chopper, “Taste of Country” will showcase BBQ teams from the Capital Region in a head-to-head contest to determine a “Regional Champion.” Pit masters and their teams will vie for over $5000 in cash, trophies and prizes in four categories: best ribs, pork, baked beans and setup.

The winners will have the chance to participate in the BBQ Nationals Championship in Laughlin, Nevada, on October 22, where the first “BBQ Nationals Grand Champion” will be crowned. Interested teams can register for the Taste of Country BBQ Nationals at: https://missinginkshop.com/bbqnationals/store.

Attendees on July 30 will have the opportunity to taste BBQ recipes from the various teams and cast their votes.

Phil Vassar • Photo Provided

“We are interested in giving folks a unique experience by combining delicious BBQ with great music and fun for the whole family,” said Brian Rucker, managing director of Townsquare Live. “The teams are very serious about their cooking and the result is the best BBQ the region has to offer.”

The perfect accompaniment to any BBQ event is country music, and the July 30 event will feature a concert, presented by WGNA 107.7, featuring chart-topper Phil Vassar, who has two #1 hits: (“Just Another Day in Paradise” and “In A Real Love,”) with special guest James Wesley.

Tickets have been set at a familyfriendly price of $15 (plus applicable service charges) and can be purchased in advance at www.saratogacasino.com, the Player Extras Club at Saratoga Casino and Raceway and all 47 area Price Chopper outlets.

Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

Also, a beer garden will be available for guests (ages 21+) and a kids zone will be on the grounds for families with young children.

PULSE SPAC Goes ‘Furthur’

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Friday, July 22, 2011

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Photos by MarkBolles.com

07.19.11

Saratoga Shakespeare Company’s “The Merchant of Venice” continues this Weekend

“The Merchant of Venice” will be performed on the Alfred Z. Solomon Stage in historic Congress Park.

Performances are on Friday and Saturday, July 22 – 23, at 6 p.m., and Sunday, July 24 at 3 p.m. As always, performances are free, and Congress Park is entirely accessible.

Saratoga Shakespeare Company is Saratoga County’s only professional theater company, and the only company in the Capital Region dedicated to the production of classic theater.

Since its inaugural production of “Twelfth Night” in 2000, over 35,000 theater lovers have seen the company’s free performances of nine different plays.

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MUSIC SCHEDULE SARATOGA SPRINGS Everyone’s favorite downtown music festival, Hats Off to Saratoga, will take place on Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23, to commemorate the start of the 143rd racing season at Saratoga Race Course.

Unless indicated, the bands listed will be playing both nights. Details are subject to change. Visit www.saratoga.org for the latest information. A map and descriptions will also be distributed on the nights of the festival.

- Arthur Gonick Ellsworth Jones Place (by City Center): Friday – Garland Nelson Ensemble Set Times- 7-8:15, 8:30-9:30, 9:45-11 p.m.

Saturday – Joe’s Boys Set Times - 7-8:15, 8:30-9:30, 9:45-11 p.m.

Collamer Parking Lot: Disposable Culture Set Times- 7-8:30, 9:30-11 p.m.

Post Office: Kelly Hurley and Party of Three band Set Times - 7-8, 8:15-9:30, 9:45-11 p.m.

Adirondack Trust: Rich Ortiz Set Times- 7-7:45, 8-8:45, 9-9:45, 10-11 p.m.

Caroline Street: Slick Fitty Set Times- 7-8:30, 9:30-11 p.m.

Division Street: Sirsy Set Times- 7-8:15, 8:30-9:30, 9:45-11 p.m.

Saratoga Arts: Friday – Racing City Chorus Sets begin at 7, 8 and 9 p.m.

Eddie Bauer: Saturday - Liam Geddes Set Times – 7-8, 8:15-9, 9:15-10, 10:15-11 p.m.

Ben and Jerry’s: Sonny Daye Trio Set Times - 7-7:45, 8-8:45, 9-9:45, 10-11 p.m.

Photo by MarkBolles.com

SARATOGA

TODAY

Friday, July 22, 2011

PUZZLES PUZZLES PUZZLES

Sudoku

Crossword

33 “The person who does not read good books has no advantage over the person who can not read.”

- Mark Twain

Words to know: vernacular: adj., using a language or dialect native to a region or country rather than a literary, cultured, or foreign language.

See puzzle solutions on page 36

ACROSS

See puzzle solution on page 36

Scrabblegram

See puzzle solution on page 36

1 Penicillin source 5 Wee bit 9 "The Maltese Falcon" actress 14 Say it's so 15 1970 N.L. batting champ Carty 16 Gather 17 Debussy's dream 18 Scene in "The Hustler"?

20 Not wilted 22 In the future 23 Adam's apples?

26 Duchamp genre 30 Orlon, for one 31 Hot and humid 33 "A Challenge for the Actor" author Hagen 34 Grover's veep 37 Correspond 38 Tubby tabbies?

40 Faith symbolized by a nine-pointed star 43 Blemish 44 Off-rd. transport 47 "The Tempest" king 49 Canal problem 51 Even 52 Visitors to the Winter Palace?

55 Gives off 57 Provide with lodging 58 Tusk warmers?

63 Sommelier's selection 64 Plum tomatoes 65 Lima's home 66 Start of an intermission?

67 Apprehension 68 Mr. Potato Head piece 69 Mtg. DOWN 1 His clown alter ego was Bip 2 Be heavy-handed, in a way 3 Viagra competitor 4 Stylish 5 Response from 24-Down 6 Familia member 7 The planets, e.g.

8 Arens of Israel 9 Pearl Mosque setting 10 Northerners with a lot of pull?

11 Mad Hatter's offering 12 Iowa's state tree

13 Hosp. workers 19 Proclivity 21 Part of the Little Dipper's handle 24 Rover's pal 25 Fanfare 27 Abbr. in car ads 28 Gaming cube 29 Roy Halladay or the Red Baron 32 Fleabag 35 Nabokov novel 36 More unfriendly 38 Voice of Puss in Boots in "Shrek" sequels 39 Cheaters, to teachers: Abbr.

40 It may be held by one on deck 41 Thrilla in Manila winner 42 Gardening aid 44 Nail polish remover ingredient

45 Fencing moves 46 Evening service 48 Suffix with psych 50 Common blues 53 Bar goer's option 54 Popular Japanese beer 56 Games magazine's 1994 Game of the Year 58 Author Levin 59 Word in many German names 60 Online "Yikes!"

61 Thing that comes to those who wait 62 "Mamma Mia!" song

Movie Review Horrible Bosses (Directed by Seth Gordon – 2011) Nick, Dale, and Kurt are all years into their careers and have found themselves in an all-too-common situation. They hate their superiors. Nick (Jason Bateman) works for someone intent on keeping him under his boot till one of them dies or ruining his career should he ever decide to quit. Kurt (Jason Sudeikis), after his longtime boss, a man he genuinely liked and respected, dies, is working for his boss’s unqualified, obnoxious, drug-addicted son (Colin Farrell). Dale (Charlie Day) is a dental hygienist whose boss (Jennifer Aniston) is sexually harassing him in addition to molesting her anesthetized patients.

Drowning their sorrows, they all ruminate on the idea of how much better their lives would be if their bosses were dead. Next thing they know, they’re devising a master plan with the help of a “murder consultant” (Jamie Foxx) whose real first name is

At The Movies With Trey Roohan

Gasoline Alley

barely mentioned and whose nickname is an expletive. Saying anymore about the story would give away too much.

While the top-tier talent is relegated to the antagonists, Bateman, Farrell, and Sudeikis bring the most to the film, comedically. And the writers, one of whom has a near-forgettable role as a co-worker of Bateman’s character, should be congratulated. This is easily the best comedy of the summer. 8.2 out of 10

Broom Hilda

Animal Crackers

SARATOGA

Friday, July 22, 2011

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Friday, July 22, 2011

FOR RENT

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36

SPORTS Community Sports Bulletin Friday, July 22, 2011

Epicurean Cup at Saratoga Polo SARATOGA SPRINGS - Come to the Saratoga Polo grounds Friday, July 22, for the Epicurean Cup, a Saratoga TODAY sponsored event. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., Brookland Plantation will mount-up against Black Creek Farms at the Whitney 1 field. The winner of the Epicurean Cup, which is part of the Epicurean Tournament, will move on to face the winner of the Bloomfield vs. Agua Enerviva match on Sunday.

“After you’ve gone over the Saratoga Race Course, come over to polo, relax, have a couple of adult beverages and enjoy polo as the sun sets slowly off in the west and cools off a little bit,”said Alan Edstrom, manager of events and sponsorships at Saratoga Polo.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.saratogapolo.com.

Golf Daze Al Mottau McGregor Links The McGregor Links finished its most successful tournament in many years with its annual members guest. A total of 57 teams played in ideal weather conditions and a Hawaiian theme prevailed with specially prepared pineapples, as selected by Claudia O’Brien, wife of OB O’Brien and longtime chairman of the annual event. Flight winners were: Championship Flight: 1st - Josh Barney/Scott Seeley 2nd - Rob Faulkner/Mike Ryan First Flight: 1st - OB O’Brien/Tim Madison 2nd - John Roberge/Ron Legere

Send your sports stories and briefs to Daniel Schechtman, Sports Editor at sports@saratoga publishing.com

Second Flight: 1st - Bergen Brown/Jack Thorton 2nd - John Kemmer/Joe Grabowski Third Flight: 1st - Dan Frazier/Kevin Frazier 2nd - CJ Strife/Rob Strife Fourth Flight: 1st place - Joe Albano/John Albano 2nd - Paolo Grandjacquet/Greg Nevins Fifth Flight 1st - Kyle Kinowski/Mike Hudson 2nd - Mark Thrasher/Eril Ernst Sixth Flight 1st - Sean Lynch/Jeff Walker 2nd - Bill Walbridge/Ron Fishbeck Seventh Flight 1st - Dean Kolligian/Steve Smith 2nd - Tom Gilmore/ John Bettencourt Eighth Flight 1st - Bill Scott/Harry Hutchins 2nd - Pete Farley/Steve Lail Ninth Flight: 1st - George Demetras/Bruce Kay 2nd - Art Depoian/Dennis Meldonian At the end of regulationi play the winning teams in each flight

TODAY

JMJC’s Vashkulat Earns Bronze at El Salvador World Judo Cup SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - Burnt Hills High School Graduate Kyle Vashkulat, 20, from the Jason Morris Judo Center (JMJC) in Glenville, captured the 100kg bronze medal in the El Salvador World Judo Cup, Sunday, July 17. This closes out a very successful South American tour for Vashkulat, who also won a bronze medal last week at the Venezuela World Cup. Kyle's only loss came in the semis to Amel Mekic (BIH) for the second straight week. JMJC teammate Brad Bolen, 22, who picked up a bronze last week in Venezuela, placed seventh in 66kg in El Salvador. Both Bolen and Vashkulat earned valuable ranking points on the International Judo Federation (IJF) roster in their quest to make the 2012 USA Olympic team. competed in a shoot out, eventually won by member Bill Scott and his guest, Harry Hutchins.

Congratulations to Mary Ellen Carpenter, who recently aced the 120 yard 13th hole.

Airway Meadows Coming Events: Airway Meadows will be holding its Annual Couples Tournament Saturday, July 30, with registration at 12:30 p.m. and a shotgun start to follow. Format is a two person (one male, one female) scramble.

Afterwards there will be a shrimp skewer and London broil dinner during the awards announcements.

Cost is $75 per person and includes golf, cart, food and prizes. Deadline for registration is Monday, July 25.

For more information call Airway Meadows Golf Course at (518) 792-4144.

Airway Meadows will also be holding its 8th Annual Benefit Tournament Saturday, August 20, with check-in at noon. The format is 18 hole, 4-player scramble.

Afterwards there will be a BBQ picnic during the awards annoucements. There will be prizes for low gross/low net teams and other on course competitions. In addition

puzzle solutions from pg. 33

there will be a raffle drawing, silent auction and a live auction. Cost is $79 per player and deadline for entry is August 12. Hole sponsor signs are also available for $60 each. Call Airway Meadows Golf Club at (518) 792-4144 for more information or visit the website at www.airwaymeadowsgolf.com.

This year’s tournament is to benefit “Taylor’s Heroes” and is held in memory of Private First Class David Taylor Miller. Taylor was a graduate of Saratoga Springs High School and a defensive lineman on the football team in his junior and senior years. After graduation, he joined the Army and died on June 21, 2010, as a result of a suicide bomb attack in Lar Sholtan, a village in Konar province, Northern Afghanistan. He was buried July 28 in Arlington with full military honors and received the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart Medal. Of all the things life had to offer Taylor, the most important of all were his friends and family, and so Taylor’s family hopes to share a legacy of achievement and generosity through The David Taylor Miller Scholarship Fund for a graduating Saratoga Springs High School student. The fund is in the process of

photo provided

Kyle Vashkulat being renamed Taylor’s Heroes.

Turning Stone Resort Notah Begay III, a four-time PGA Tour winner, has announced a new tournament date and final player field for the fourth annual Notah Begay III Stone Resort’s Atunyote Golf Club on Oneida Indian Nation lands near Verona, N.Y. PGA Tour stars Tiger Woods, Rickie Fowler and Hunter Mahan will join Begay and top LPGA golfers Annika Sorenstam, Cristie Kerr, Suzann Pettersen and Natalie Gulbis in an effort to raise awareness and funding for the improved health and wellness of Native American youth on Indian reservations nationwide.

Mechanicville Golf Club Frog Island: Low Gross: Clyde Driggers - 36 Mike Ciulla - 42 Low Net: Paul Coleman - 30 Tom Salvadore - 32 Ben Schaefer - 32 Steven Ciulla - 32 Women’s Low Gross: Laurie Phelps - 44

SARATOGA

TODAY

SPORTS

Friday, July 22, 2011

Act With Respect, Always

Damian Fantauzzi My good friend, Rich Johns, has a mission with a message: "Act With Respect Always." I found out firsthand what his message really means as he supported me in my pursuit of returning

to the coaching ranks of boys' basketball at Saratoga Springs High School.

My close friend was troubled with the fact that I was not chosen for the coaching position. So, he contacted some members of the board of education and members of the administration to make them aware of my credentials and history. Rich isn't the type of guy to point fingers at anyone - after all, he practices his slogan of 'acting with respect.'

Obviously, he believes in me and my history as a basketball coach, and he fought with conviction for my cause. I truly appreciate what Rich Johns did, putting forth an earnest effort to promote me and having faith in what I am capable

of doing. There is something to be said about people with a characteristic of repute, who have a mission and are willing to go to certain lengths for the cause, without hurting anyone during the process. That is just what he did!

Coach Johns was as disappointed as I was when the committee decided not to appoint me to the position. I have a record at Saratoga for being one of the winningest basketball coaches in the school's history (along with former coaches like Clyde Idens, Bill Dalrymple, Bob Murphy and Bill Stanley, who were all very successful during their respective tenures). I appreciated the many calls I received from supporting

fans and friends who rooted for me to become the Blue Streaks basketball coach again. Thanks to all of you! We had some great teams, lots of fun and full gymnasiums. Memories that will live forever, like the Glens Falls, Hudson Falls and Gloversville rivalries of the Foothills Council and the Shenendehowa, Colonie, Burnt Hills and Ballston Spa rivalries of the Suburban Council. There were great games that will live in our hearts because our hearts have permanent streaks of blue!

I hold no grudges and have no ill feelings toward anyone for anything; I respect the decision that was made - my resume of 38 years will be my legacy. When you have coached as long as I have, you understand and accept that things don't always end up

37

the way you plan. It's part of the process with athletics. You win some, and, of course, you lose some. I feel that I still have a lot to offer kids when it comes to teaching the game of basketball it is a passion that flows in my "Blue and White" blood, and it doesn't disappear! It just wasn't my turn again. But I'm still a fighter, and fighters always get up after being knocked down. A coach needs to prepare for the big games, but something was left out of my practice plan - a last second out-of-bounds play - or my written resume, which I left at home!

I would like to thank Coach Johns for his friendship and allegiance to me. He really lives the way he believes, by Acting with Respect, Always.

Carrying the Weight at YMCA Men and Women Compete in Bench Press/Deadlift Championships SARATOGA SPRINGS - The Saratoga Regional YMCA hosted its third annual Bench Press/Deadlift Championship Saturday, July 16, with 25 participants competeing for top honors.

Medals were awarded to the top lifters in each of the mens’ and womens’ divisions.

Over $1,500 was raised from the event, with proceeds benefiting the Saratoga Regional YMCA’s Scholarship Fund.

Medal winners from the event included: Women’s Bench Press: Equipped Division Janet Faraone - 355 lbs - Gold Medal Winner Master’s Division Raw Division Tessa Boyea - 195 lbs - Gold Medal Winner in the over 130 lbs weight class Tara Salmon - 170 lbs - Gold Medal Winner in the under 130 lbs weight class Women’s Deadlift: Katie Gannon - 315 lbs - Gold Medal Winner in Teen Division Results by Formula: Amy Glasser - 245 lbs - Gold Medal Winner in Women’s over 130 lbs weight Haley Franco - 250 lbs Tara Salmon - 275 lbs - Gold Medal Winner in Women’s under 130 lbs weight class Laurie Ellis - 300 lbs - Gold Medal Winner in Women’s Master Division

photo by MarkBolles.com - Saratoga TODAY

Spectators gather to encourage participants.

photo by MarkBolles.com - Saratoga TODAY

A spotter stands by during the YMCA lifting championship.

Men’s Bench Press: Equipped Division Ivan Bell - 700 lbs - Gold Medal Winner in Master’s Equipped John Phillips - 460 lbs Joe Salmon - 300 lbs Master’s Division NonEquipped by Formula (factors age, body weight and weight lifted) John Lerman - 305 lbs - Gold Medal Winner Scott Rabine - 465 lbs Nick Dalessandro - 240 lbs Mike Harris - 400 lbs Tim Donohoe - 335 lbs Glenn Sylvia - 315 lbs Weight Class over 220 lbs Ryan Marra - Raw Bench 555 lbs - Gold Medal Winner

Weight Class 165 - 198 lbs Zac Rossi - 295 lbs - Gold Medal Winner Anthony Sisti - 280 lbs Nick LeBoeuf - 280 lbs Zeke Wenzel - 235 lbs Teens by Forumla Jilanie Staples - 255 lbs - Gold Medal Winner, age 17

Jeff Rabine - 265 lbs, age 19 Chris Goudy - 205 lbs, age 14 Men’s Deadlift Results Master’s using Formula Mike Harris - 675 lbs - Gold Medal Winner Joe Salmon - 405 lbs Glenn Sylvia - 500 lbs Weight Class over 220 lbs Ryan Marra - 625 lbs - Gold Medal Winner Weight Class 165 - 198 lbs by Formula Anthony Sisti - 500 lbs - Gold Medal Winner Nick Lebeuf - 485 lbs Zeke Wenzel - 455 lbs Zac Rossi - 350 lbs Weight Class under 165 lbs

Casey Mohan - 435 lbs Teen Deadlift by Formula Chris Goudy - 385 lbs - Gold Medal Winner Jeff Rabine - 425 lbs Kyle Schoonover - 450 lbs

38

SARATOGA

SPORTS

Friday, July 22, 2011

Saratoga Americans Hunt for State Title

by Daniel Schechtman Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS - The Saratoga American 12U Little League team is advancing to the Section 3 semi-finals after blowout wins over Hurley and Twin Town.

The Americans opened the week against District 16 champion Hurley, based out of Kingston, and wasted little time against their opponent. The Americans scored 5 runs in the top of the first inning, including a three-run homer by Colin Bradley to build a comfortable early lead.

American Jake Fauler took to the mound, dominating the competition from start to finish. Over three innings Fauler hurled 50 pitches, allowed only one hit, one walk, struck out seven and kept the District 16 champs scoreless.

The Americans went on to win the game 14-0, ending the competition in the fourth inning on the mercy-rule.

On Wednesday, the Americans faced the Twin Town All-Stars in a game to decide home-field advantage for the playoff tournament.

Fauler opened up with a lead-off

photos by MarkBolles.com - Saratoga TODAY

Jake Fauler throws from the mound during Monday’s game against Hurley. solo homerun in the first, paving the way for a 4 run inning and another early lead for his team.

After tacking on another 4 runs in the second to make it an 8-0 game, Twin Town looked to rally, scoring its first run of the game.

But after a full six innings of play, the Twin Town effort was not enough to overcome, falling to Saratoga 9-4.

Twin Town is the first team this postseason to take the Americans the full six innings.

Saratoga advances to the semifi-

nals, where they will host Carman Little League Friday, July 22, beginning at 6 p.m. at the East Side Rec. field.

Twin Town is also advancing to the semifinals. They will face the Colonie Little League team as they try to reach the championship game, where a potential rematch between Twin Town and Saratoga could occur.

Both teams find themselves only two wins away from capturing a Section 3 regional tournament title.

TODAY

Ninth Annual Jailhouse Rock 5K BALLSTON SPA The Saratoga County Historical Society is excited to announce the Ninth Annual Jailhouse Rock, which will take place Saturday, August 13, at 8:30 a.m.

The out and back course begins at the top of Mohican Hill (behind Brookside Museum) and proceeds past the fairgrounds to the correctional facility. The fast course guides runners toward a fabulous downhill and exciting finish.

The entry fee is $22 pre-registered (through August 10), or $27 from August 11-13. Bring a friend or family member and get a substantial discount - it's only $35 for two registrations (restrictions apply, check the registration form for details).

T-shirts are given to the first 250 registered. Awards are given to the fastest male and female overall; age-group awards are given by 5-year categories.

To register, visit www.active.com or www.brook sidemuseum.org, or call the

museum at (518) 885-4000.

Proceeds from the race benefit Brookside's education programs, which serve thousands of schoolchildren each year.

Brookside Museum, a nonprofit organization located at 6 Charlton Street in Ballston Spa, inspires community memory by telling the story of Saratoga County through engaging exhibits and interactive programs. For more information on Brookside, please visit www.brooksidemuseum.org.

Top Jocks to Tip-Off Vs. Trainers in Charity Basketball Game

photos by MarkBolles.com - Saratoga TODAY

Strong hitting behind solid pitching propel the Americans to another win.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The nation’s best jockeys will take on the horsemen at the Saratoga Recreation Center July 27 in a charity basketball game to benefit the NY Race Track Chaplaincy.

The Saratoga Race Course jockey colony – which includes Javier Castellano, Kent Desormeaux, Ramon Dominguez, Alan Garcia, John Velazquez, and many other top-class riders – will face a group of horsemen that includes NYRA Chairman C. Steven Duncker, NYRA Vice President & Director of Racing PJ Campo, Kentucky Downs President Corey Johnsen, West Point Thoroughbreds President Terry Finley, jockey agent Matt Muzikar, trainers Todd Pletcher and Rick Schosberg, and WinStar Farm President Elliot Walden.

Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero, Jr. will coach the jockeys, while trainer Kiaran McLaughlin will lead the horsemen.

Tickets to the game, scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m., cost $15, with proceeds to help fund the many programs the Chaplaincy runs at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course.

The jockeys will attempt to post their second straight win over the horsemen, having prevailed 45-41 last year.

SARATOGA

TODAY

Friday, July 22, 2011

Bill Parcells Tackles Questions from Youths SARATOGA SPRINGS Football legend and former NFL coach Bill Parcells attended the Bob Reed Football Clinic for local youths Sunday, July 17, taking questions from young athletes during a Q&A session.

Pictured from left to right: Saratoga Springs Pee Wee President Matt Riker, Bill Parcells, Troy High head football coach Jack Berger, and Saratoga Springs Pee Wee Vice President Dave Karcher. photo provided

Adirondack Dreams

SPORTS

39

YMCA Bench Press Championship page 37

40

sports

Bob Reed Football Clinic page 39 Friday, July 22, 2011

Vol. 6 • Issue 29 • FREE • Saratoga TODAY photo by MarkBolles.com - Saratoga TODAY

see page 38 for details