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Street Perspective of a proposed 102-unit multi-family residential project titled Excelsior North Spring Run. Application under consideration at the Planning Board on Nov. 17. See Story
Songs By Heart To Bring Music To Memory Care Centers In The Capital Region
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Describing what it calls the first opera company in the nation to provide a certain type of therapeutic memory care to its local community, Opera Saratoga is offering an interactive music program for residents in memory care centers in the Capital Region.
The company has recently hired two singers and two pianists for their Songs by Heart program. Musicians are trained in therapeutic techniques such as mirroring, making direct eye contact, swaying to the beat, and holding hands with residents throughout the program. Singers encourage residents to join in with singing, clapping, and moving, as well as to engage in conversation centered around the musical selections.
Opera Saratoga plans to start serving facilities in a seven-county service area, from south of Albany and north up to Lake George.
Music is pulled from popular music from the 1920’s – 1950’s and includes familiar songs like ‘Take me out to the ball game’, ‘Home on the range’, ‘Edelweiss’, and many other popular, folk, and patriotic songs familiar to residents.
Each of Opera Saratoga Songs by Heart artists have been trained by Songs by Heart’s artistic administrator, Emily Becker, and board-certified Music Therapist, Jenny Cook. Becker and Cook have trained about 150 musicians across the county. This is the only Songs by Heart program in New York State.
For more information about the new initiative or to sign up for a demo session at a specific Memory Care center, contact Opera Saratoga’s Senior Program Manager of Education and Community Outreach, Melissa Howe, at 518-584-6018 or mhowe@operasaratoga.org.
LAND USE PROPOSALS:
Crescent & Jefferson Zoning Amendment Powerpoint Presentation, submitted in conjunction with 200-unit plan for affordable housing project.
by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Upcoming meetings of the city’s three Land Use Boards will take place at Saratoga Springs City Hall, respectively, on Nov. 16 (DRC), Nov. 17 (Planning Board), and Nov. 28 (ZBA).
A variety of both new and ongoing projects are anticipated to be discussed at those meetings.
Design Review Board – 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16.
Meeting Agenda: • PDT Market Storefront Modifications and Signage, 55 Railroad Place, Architectural Review of storefront modifications. Narrative: Renovation of 19,200 square foot space at Railroad Avenue to open the PDT Market in a space previously occupied by Price Chopper. Seeking to modify entry by removing 24 feet of storefront and replacing with stucco preparation. • Saratoga Coworks Signage, 92 Congress St., Architectural Review of a new wall sign. • 53 Spring Cladding Color Change, 53 Spring, Historic Review of proposed modification of Nichiha cladding finish color from Vintagewood Cedar to Vintagwood Bark. • Brookview Prefab shed, 3 Brookview, Architectural Review of a proposed prefabricated wood shed. • Best Western Rt 9 Modifications, 3291 US Route 9, Architectural Review of facade material and color changes. • 10 Marion, 10 Marion Ave., Architectural Review of proposed renovations to existing home.
Planning Board - 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17
Meeting Agenda: • 131 Excelsior North Spring Run Special Use Permit, 131 Excelsior, Consideration of coordinated SEQRA review for a proposed 102-unit multi-family residential project. • Crescent and Jefferson Petition for Zoning Amendment, Crescent & Jefferson, Consideration of deferral of lead agency status and an advisory opinion to the City Council for comprehensive plan, and zoning map amendments to provide for a proposed 200-unit affordable housing project. • Kirby Subdivision, 52 Kirby, Final plan review of a twolot subdivision. • 120 S. Broadway Site Plan Review, 120 S. Broadway, Site plan review of a proposed multi-family residential project consisting of 58 units, and associated site work.
Zoning Board of Appeals – 6:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 28
• Cardona’s Area Variance, 222 Washington, Area variance to permit the renovation and rear addition to Cardona’s Market. • 10 A Nelson Ave New Build, 10A Nelson Ave., Area variance extension to permit the construction of a single-family home. • 142 East Ave Garage Demo and Reconstruction, 142 East Ave., Area variance to permit the reconstruction of existing garage. • 72 Catherine Porch Area Variance, 72 Catherine, Area variance to construct a side porch. • 115 Ballston Area Variance, 115 Ballston Ave., Area Variance to permit the installation of an illuminated directional sign on an existing light post on commercial property. • 14 MacArthur rear deck, 14 MacArthur, Area variance to permit the construction of rear deck. • 3257 Rt 9 New Sign, 3257 Route 9, Area variance to permit the installation of an externally illuminated directory sign 8-feet high and 28.3 square feet. • 1 Alger Area Variance, 1 Alger St., Area variance to construct screened porch. -139 State St. Garage Reno Area Variance, 139 State St., Area variance to permit the renovation of an existing home. • 28 North Lane - 96 Union Demo and Construction, 28 North/ 96 Union, Area variance to permit the construction of a new three-car garage and dwelling unit.
