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LOCAL • INDEPENDENT • FREE Volume 11 • Issue 8 • February 24 – March 2, 2017

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750-seat Venue Targets Fall 2018 Opening

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

Universal Preservation Hall, which will close for extensive renovations in April, is scheduled to re-open as a year-round 750-seat theater in the fall of 2018.

Image by PhotoAndGraphic.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Galleries, museums and classic architecture. A cinema. Public parks. Taverns, restaurants and cafes. Together they are the elements that contribute to community vibrancy.

But, for the past half-century, one noticeably missing piece in this walkable city has been the lack of a year-round, mid-sized venue – an unfulfilled need since Saratoga’s 5,000-seat Convention Hall was destroyed by fire in 1966.

With an extensive renovation of Universal Preservation Hall set to get underway, that cultural vacancy is set to soon be filled.

“This will be an acoustically perfect theater-in-the-round and will hold about 750 people,” said Teddy Foster, campaign director at UPH. “There will be a lot of music, Broadway cabaret and live theater.”

The current schedule of events will conclude in five weeks and a $5.5 million renovation of the historic building is slated to get underway in June. When UPH re-opens in the fall of 2018, it will house new heating and air conditioning systems, a kitchen, an elevator and new light and sound fixtures with acoustic treatments.

“It will have everything,” Foster said. The main room’s flexibility will allow for the relocation of seats as events dictate and a community room located on the building’s lower

Featured Stories

Special Election Hits A Snag See pg. 3

See Venue pg. 8

Future Growth on the River Conversation

Athlete of the Week Blue Streaks’ Zac Zwijacz Heading to States

by Larry Goodwin Saratoga TODAY

Zac Zwijacz’ winning stroke was the Butterfly. Photos by PhotoAndGraphic.com.

See Athlete pg. 39

STILLWATER — A detailed report, which may affect future development plans on the Hudson River, is drifting closer to the dock.

Stillwater Mayor Rick Nelson explained that several miles of Route 4 have been under the planning microscope, starting north of the Mechanicville border and continuing to the hamlet of Bemis Heights.

“There’s not going to be

any radical changes,” Nelson said. He noted how a concerted effort over the last year to modify zoning rules will allow local officials to create a “seamless” process to approve future development projects.

“I don’t want people to think that we’re revamping the whole thing,” he said.

Town and village officials in Stillwater have scheduled a public hearing for the Draft Route 4 Corridor Plan on March 23. That event will be followed by the completion See Growth pg. 10

With Calbone See pg. 12

Inside TODAY Blotter 5 Obituaries 6 Business 14-15 Education 18-19 Summer Camp

20-21

Arts + Entertainment 28-31 Sports 35-39

2

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Neighbors: Snippets of Life from Your Community

Who: Mark Mullholand.

Where: The Collamer Building on Broadway.

Q. What are you doing today?

A. I’m reporting the news for WNYT NewsChannel 13, and then hoping to get home in time to barbecue with the kids, who don’t have school today. They are 17 and 14. And they’re probably dreading the fact that I’m going to try to get home early so I can spend time with them.

Q. Where are you from originally?

A. Whitehall, in Washington County.

Q. When did you move to Saratoga?

A. I moved to Saratoga Springs, first, in 1992 and then to Wilton in 1998.

Q. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. Actually, I have always been interested in broadcast and television news, so I was fortunate to be able to follow the path that I liked very early on.

Q. What is the biggest challenge you face personally?

A. Time. I don’t always have enough of it. Work, I find, is easy to balance the time, but getting the kids to their various activities and events and running our charity tends to consume a lot of time.

Q. What is your charity?

A. Kelly’s Angels Inc., providing fund grants to kids who have lost a parent or sibling to cancer.

Q. How has Saratoga changed over the years?

A. I remember coming to Saratoga Springs as a kid for sporting events and wrestling tournaments and seeing some of the boarded-up windows on Broadway. I remember we would go to the Red Barn - where Pope’s Pizza was after that - and Saratoga Springs was not the happening community it is now. Today, it’s a place people want to visit, live in, work at, and I think that’s great, because it wasn’t that when I first started coming here as a kid.

Q. What’s one of the most positive changes?

A. From a family perspective, having a movie theater right downtown is awesome.

Q. What’s your favorite film?

A. I have maybe 10 movies that I really like. “Saving Private Ryan” is at top of mind right now, because I want to see “Hacksaw Ridge.”

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

NEWS 3

Funding for Special City Election Hits Council Snag

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — The City Council held a lengthy and at-times heated discussion Tuesday night about whether to fund a Special Election in May or June as requested by the Charter Review Commission, to potentially change the way the city is governed.

Since its inception as a city in 1915, Saratoga Springs has operated under a Commission form of Government – that is, with four commissioners and one mayor each running separate departments and all having equal say. Mandated to review the City Charter every 10 years, the Charter Review Commission, a 15-person group appointed by members of the City Council, recommended bringing to voters a proposal that the city adopt a Council-Manager form of governing. Under such a plan, the council would be charged with hiring a professional city manager to carry out policies.

A measure to fund the Commission’s $46,000

administrative budget – which includes fees for legal consulting, sending informational mailers to residents and a clerk to transcribe meeting minutes – received unanimous council approval, but a $37,000 request to fund a Special Election in May or June was rejected by a 3-2 vote.

City Mayor Joanne Yepsen, who voted to support funding the Special Election, said if the Charter Commission desired to hold a vote in May, then it was their right to do so.

“I think we’ve got to let the voters decide. I don’t think it’s up to us - when it should be, or what they should put on the referendum,” Yepsen said. “I think it’s in our best interests to move this forward regardless of what we all think personally.”

Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan, who vehemently opposed funding a Special Election, argued that the council’s actions are not politically motivated whereas the Charter Commission’s are, and received like-minded commentary from Accounts

‘Standing Rock’ Film Screening with Director Fidel Moreno

Photo by PhotoAndGraphic.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Filmmaker Fidel Moreno, presents a screening of his 63-minute film “Gathering Our Hearts at Standing Rock,”

at Saratoga Arts at The Arts Center, on Saturday, Feb. 18.

The director was joined by Hunkpapa Sioux Chairman Cedric Goodhouse and family.

Commissioner John Franck.

“To say this group has not advocated for a change in the form of government is blinking at reality,” Franck said.

“They’ve been disparaging the current form of government, but telling about this new form of government. They’re not supposed to be doing this. They’re supposed to be educating.”

Franck, Madigan, and DPW Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco rejected the funding request, and each stated the public would be better served – both in cost savings and by a larger voter turnout - should the referendum be held in November.

“I think it disenfranchises people. This is voter suppression, I don’t care what anybody says,“ said Scirocco.

Public Safety Commissioner Chris Mathiesen, like Mayor Yepsen, voted in favor of funding the Special Election. He argued that the issue requires its own attention rather than it being added to this November’s Election Day slate, which will include all five council member seats up for vote.

“I think this is such an important issue and a vital

part of looking at where our city is going that it needs to be decided upon separately, and in an environment not muddled by the political intrigue that often comes with our November elections and all the special interests that rise up,” Mathiesen said.

Following the vote, Yepsen attempted to provide information about the ramifications of the council’s vote and what

the next steps might be regarding the Charter Commission’s potential actions, but was not permitted to do so by other members of the council.

“This will come down to a lawsuit, I suspect, and the courts will decide what they’re going to do with this,” Franck said. “There may even be a lawsuit at the City Council level.”

4

NEWS

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Stefanik Is Out of Town Seeman, a veteran Saratoga Springs activist and MoveOn volunteer. “We simply want our representative to do her job,” he said.

In the time Stefanik has represented New York’s 21st Congressional District, according to Flanagin, she has attended hundreds of personalized events and she plans to maintain that level of constituent outreach.

The district covers most of northern upstate New York, and

by Larry Goodwin Saratoga TODAY GLENS FALLS — Local activists elevated their criticism of U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik this week for not holding a town hall meeting in her home district with constituents, making use of a stage without her at the Crandall Public Library.

A crowd estimated at about 200 residents packed a library meeting room that safely seats 175. The topics most frequently raised were health care, education and the environment.

Video of the event will be provided to Stefanik (R-Willsboro), according to Martha Devaney, one of the organizers.

Tom Flanagin, communications director for Stefanik, said the congresswoman’s appearance in Glens Falls on February 22 was impossible because she was part of an “official” trip for new members of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee that had been scheduled in early January. Stefanik was recently appointed to that committee.

Nationwide, activists affiliated with groups such as MoveOn

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Stefanik has offices in Glens Falls, Plattsburgh and Watertown.

“All groups have been encouraged to reach out to her offices to request in-person, small group meetings to ensure productive issue discussions instead of nationalized political events where the sole purpose is political theater,” Flanagin said on behalf of Stefanik.

He added that constituents are invited to participate in “teletownhalls” with Stefanik by registering through her website: stefanik.house. gov/contact/request-appearance.

Stillwater Budget Passes

The crowd on Wednesday at the Crandall Public Library in Glens Falls.

Photo by Martha Devaney.

and the Working Families Party have made concerted efforts to attend town hall events as the 115th U.S. Congress went into a recess period.

Usually, federal lawmakers

themselves try to connect with constituents by organizing such town hall events.

“The big lie that you’re hearing is that we’re all paid protesters,” offered Joe

STILLWATER — Mayor Rick Nelson was pleased with the unanimous approval on Wednesday of the village’s 2017 budget.

All five members of the Stillwater Village Board voted in favor of the $1.6 million spending plan, an increase of about $60,000 over the 2016 budget.

Nelson said a $30,000 line item was approved for road improvements to Carpenter’s Place, along with a 3 percent pay increase for the village’s

half-dozen staff members and routine hikes in employee insurance costs.

The village board also entertained a presentation from Capital District Ventures, which is proposing to build 24 condominiums north of the village. The project would consist of six separate buildings each containing four condos, according to the mayor.

Nelson said a public hearing for that proposal will be scheduled in March or April.

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Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

COURT Jeffrey R. Lawrence, 30, of Corinth, was sentenced on Feb. 6 to six months in jail and five years of probation, after pleading to felony DWI. Tiffany Almy, 25, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced on Feb. 6 to 1-3 years in state prison, after pleading to felony burglary, and attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance.

Kenneth R. Boni, 64, of Halfmoon, pleaded on Feb. 6 to felony DWI in connection with an incident that occurred in Clifton Park.

Sentencing scheduled for March 30.

Ryan M. Danaher, 30, of Mechanicville, pleaded on Feb. 6 to felony attempted burglary in connection with an incident that occurred in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing scheduled for March 30.

Daniel Y. Iswhakov, 20, of Schenectady, pleaded on Feb. 7 to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance.

Sentencing scheduled for April 5.

Tasha M. Tatsey, 33, of South Glens Falls, pleaded on Feb. 7 to attempted criminal possession of a forged instrument. Sentencing scheduled for April 5.

Christopher S. Abraham, 30, of Greenfield, pleaded on Feb. 7 to promoting a sexual performance by a child. Sentencing scheduled for April 4.

POLICE Christian Maldonado, age 35, of Queensbury, was charged on Feb. 14 with three felony counts each of: criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a

controlled substance, and three misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Shane R. Foley, age 29, of Saratoga Springs, was charged on Feb. 5 with misdemeanor DWI, misdemeanor aggravated DWI, speeding, and making an unsafe lane change.

Paul H. Dirico, age 65, of Mansfield, Massachusetts, was charged on Feb. 5 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failing to stop at a stop sign.

Serita Malloy, age 34, Dominique N. Smith, age 30, Christine D. Breunig, age 35, and Tyler M. Swart, age 32, all of Troy, were each charged on Feb. 5 with criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.

Christopher A. Sadler, age 21, of Stillwater, was charged on Feb. 5 with criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, and criminal tampering.

Nasibjan Rahimjan, age 27, of Utica, was charged on Feb. 5 with misdemeanor DWI, misdemeanor aggravated DWI, and failing to obey a traffic control device.

L. Mokoena, age 22, of Saratoga Springs, was charged on Feb. 5 with criminal possession of stolen property, and criminal possession of a forged instrument – both felonies, and the misdemeanors: identity theft, making a punishable false written statement, and petit larceny.

Alexander Kutsar, age 20, of Utica, was charged on Feb. 5 with criminal mischief felony, and three misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance.

BLOTTER 5 David B. Talanian, age 22, of Norwell, Massachusetts, was charged on Feb. 4 with criminal possession of a forged instrument, a misdemeanor.

Shannon E. Zaloga, age 23, of Newburgh, was charged on Feb. 4 with criminal mischief misdemeanor.

Carlos M. Torres, age 31, of Troy, was charged on Feb. 4 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and a vehicle equipment violation.

Tayshawn X. Gibson, age 26, of Albany, was charged on Feb. 4 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and speeding.

Alexsandr V. Terebey, age 23, of Utica, was charged on Feb. 4 with misdemeanor DWI and misdemeanor aggravated DWI. Maryellen Malo, age 44, of Waterford, was charged on Feb. 4 with misdemeanor DWI and misdemeanor aggravated DWI.

Charles C. Usher-Malcolm, age 40, of Ballston Spa, was charged on Feb. 4 with misdemeanor DWI, failure to signal a turn, and operation of a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver.

Brett M. Gatta, age 29, of Schenectady, was charged on Feb. 4 with misdemeanor DWI, refusing a pre-screen test, failure to signal a turn, making an unsafe lane change, and passing a red traffic signal light.

Andre L. Chandler, age 43, of Halfmoon, was charged on Feb. 4 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, operation of a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and failing to signal a turn.

Erin L. Gunnells, age 32, of Saratoga Springs, was charged on Feb. 3 with misdemeanor DWI, misdemeanor aggravated DWI, improper lane use, unreasonable speed, and leaving the scene of an accident.

Jakob M. Izzo, age 24, of Hoosick

Falls, on Feb. 3 was charged with criminal possession of controlled substance, a felony.

Kenneth Youngs, age 27, of Troy, on Feb. 3 was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration. Both charges are misdemeanors.

Wesley J.W. Keithline, age 18, of Ballston Spa, on Feb. 3 was charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana, and failure to signal a turn.

John T. Howat, age 21, of Saratoga on Feb. 2 was charged with harassment in the second degree.

Colleen M. Streeter, age 50, of Hudson Falls, on Feb. 2 was charged with misdemeanor DWI and speeding.

Paul S. Woodcock, age 46, of Saratoga on Feb. 1 was charged with felony DWI, felony aggravated DWI, and two vehicle equipment violations.

6 Kenneth Woodcock

OBITUARIES Thomas Cottone, Sr.

2017 at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville.

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Helen O’Rourke

Dustin Larmon

Clement’s Church; burial followed in the family plot in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

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

Antonio Ballestero SCHUYLERVILLE — Kenneth Woodcock passed away on Monday, February 20, 2017; he was 62.

A funeral service was held on Thursday, February 23, 2017 as well as a special Elks ceremony at Compassionate Funeral Care Funeral Home of Saratoga Springs.

SCHUYLERVILLE —Thomas J. Cottone Sr., 73, has passed away, surrounded by his loving family.

A prayer service will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at Compassionate Funeral Care in Saratoga Springs. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2017 also at the funeral home.

Harriet Watson

Roderick Griffin-Greco

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Miss Helen E. O’Rourke, 79, passed away Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017 at Saratoga Hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Thursday in St. GREENFIELD CENTER — Dustin Larmon, 29, passed away after a battle with leukemia on Wednesday, February 15, 2017.

A funeral service will be held at Burke Funeral Home of Saratoga Springs on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at 1 p.m.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.

Rosemary Flanagan

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Deaconess Harriet Ann Watson, 89, followed her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ straight into glory on February 13, 2017. Funeral services were held at Universal Baptist Church in Saratoga Springs.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Tunison Funeral Home of Saratoga Springs.

GREENFIELD CENTER — Roderick E. Griffin-Greco, 58, died on Saturday, February 18, 2017. A Home Going service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Soul Saving Station Church, 62 Henry St. in Saratoga Springs.

Interment with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 27,

GANSEVOORT — Rosemary Burke Flanagan passed away peacefully on Wed., Feb. 15, 2017.

Friends and relatives gathered in her name on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017 at the Burke Funeral Home of Saratoga Springs. Burial was private at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — Antonio P. “Tony” Ballestero, 93, formerly of Saratoga Springs, passed away Feb. 14, 2017.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Clement’s Church on Feb. 21, 2017. Burial followed in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Oprah Leads Skidmore Commencement Speakers SARATOGA SPRINGS — Oprah Winfrey is among three notables receiving honorary doctorate of letters in the arts degrees from Skidmore College during the College’s 106th Commencement Exercises. Ann Tisch, founder and president of the Young Women’s Leadership Network, and Wes Moore, a decorated Army combat veteran, youth advocate and CEO of BridgeEdU, will also be receiving honorary degrees.

The 2017 faculty Commencement speaker will be Mark Youndt, professor of management and business.

Commencement will take place Saturday, May 20, at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

In 2013, Winfrey was awarded the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Winfrey is a global media leader, philanthropist, producer and Academy Award-nominated actress. For 25 years, Winfrey was host of the award-winning talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is Chairman and CEO of cable network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network; is the founder of O, The Oprah Magazine; and oversees Harpo Films. Winfrey will portray Mrs. Which in Disney’s Wrinkle in Time film adaptation, to be released in April 2018.

Winfrey has donated more than $20 million to the creation of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

She has contributed more than $100 million to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy

for Girls in South Africa.

Ann Rubenstein Tisch, is founder and president of Young Women’s Leadership Network (YWLN), an organization that operates The Young Women’s Leadership Schools (TYWLS), a network of all-girls’ public schools, and CollegeBound Initiative (CBI), a college access program. Tisch began a 19-year career in broadcast journalism at WIBW-TV in Topeka, Kansas.

She then moved to WCOO-TV in Minneapolis, Minnesota and later joined NBC News as a national correspondent.

Wes Moore is a decorated Army combat veteran, youth advocate and CEO of BridgeEdU, a national initiative focusing on addressing the college completion and career placement crisis by reinventing the freshman year of college.

He is also the author two instant New York Times bestselling books, The Other Wes Moore and The Work.

He is also the host of Beyond Belief on the Oprah Winfrey Network and executive producer and host of Coming Back with Wes Moore, which follows veterans as they reintegrate back into society.

Moore completed an MLitt from Oxford University as a Rhodes scholar in 2004. Upon graduation, Moore served as a paratrooper and captain in the Army, serving in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division.

For additional details of the honorary degree recipients and Commencement exercises, visit www.skidmore.edu.

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Saratoga County Needs Medical Drill Volunteers HALFMOON — On Wednesday, March 1, Saratoga County Public Health Services will be conducting a full-scale Medical Countermeasure Dispensing Drill from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Halfmoon Town Hall, 2 Halfmoon Town Plaza.

Registration is preferred and volunteers are needed, including whole families, for this community service opportunity. Upon request volunteers will be provided with a two-hour

community service certificate on the day of the drill.

It is an exercise to help communities prepare for an expedient response to medical emergencies, such as pandemic novel influenza (a type not seen before).

To register, visit www.saratogacountyny.gov/departments/publichealth/ and choose the link, or call Saratoga County Public Health Services at 518-584-7460 ext. 8387.

Local Efforts to Tame Anger SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Saturday, March 11, the Kadampa Meditation Center is holding workshops between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to help people control their anger.

Evelyn Williams, leader of the workshops, is a teacher at Kadampa Meditation Center New York. She has a deep understanding of Buddhist meditation and teachings.

Williams noted how people respond to problems with frustration, anxiety or even anger, even though such responses often make problems worse. If instead of rejecting situations people accepted them, they give themselves the space to see the

underlying causes of negative emotions. It is by addressing these causes that people learn to uproot anger and anxiety from their lives, according to Williams.

Each workshop includes guided meditations, practical advice on how to maintain inner peace in daily life, and time to discuss the ideas presented. There is a fee of $20.

The workshops will be held at the Spa State Park Administration Building (behind Little Theater), 19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs.

For more information and to register, visit KadampaNewYork.org/Saratoga or call 845-856-9000.

Gateway Hospice Fundraiser Canceled BALLSTON SPA — Nonprofit charitable hospice home Gateway House of Peace has canceled its 2nd annual Murder Mystery fundraising event scheduled for Friday, March 10 at

the Milton Community Center on Northline Road. For more information, contact Joni Hanchett at 518-469-7499 or Jhanchet@gatewayhouseofpeace.org.

7

Greenwich Native Chooses Her Navy Ship GREENWICH — Navy Midshipman Anne E. Grimmke from Greenwich participated in the 2017 spring Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) ship selection draft as a future member of the U.S. Navy’s Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) community.

More than 280 midshipmen at NROTC units around the country have selected to serve in the Navy as surface warfare officers. Each selecting midshipman is ranked according to his or her grade point average, aptitude scores, and physical fitness.

Grimmke, a 2013 Greenwich Central High School graduate, has selected to serve aboard USS Arleigh

Burke. She is majoring in psychology while attending College of the Holy Cross.

Upon graduation, Grimmke will receive a commission as a Navy Ensign and report aboard Burke as a surface warfare officer.

Burke, the lead ship of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, is home-ported in Norfolk, Virginia. Destroyers are warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities.

Destroyers can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups and underway replenishment groups.

The midshipmen’s selection of their ship is a milestone for

them and an important day for the ships in the fleet. Not only do the midshipmen choose where they are going to start their Navy career, but the ship they choose will also gain a motivated, eager, young officer to help lead and improve an already great team.

Control Chronic Conditions CLIFTON PARK — The Saratoga County Office for the Aging will conduct a free, six-week workshop on Thursdays in March and April enabling those living with chronic disease to regain control of their lives.

The Chronic Disease SelfManagement Program is an evidence-based workshop created

by Stanford University. Many essential skills and techniques are taught to educate and empower those living with chronic

conditions as well as those caring for them.

The first workshop in the series has been scheduled for 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 2 at the Clifton Park Community Center. It will be followed by workshops on March 9, 16, 23, 30 and April 6.

Topics covered include medication management, dealing with stress and difficult emotions, nutrition, exercise, pain and fatigue management,

effective communication skills, problem solving and decisionmaking skills.

Participants are invited to attend a free congregate lunch at 12:00 p.m. courtesy of the Saratoga County Dining Program.

Advance registration for the lunch is requested by calling 518383-1343. For more information, call Jen Buscema at 518-884-4110 or email aging@saratogacountyny.gov.

8

NEWS

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

750-seat Venue Targets Fall 2018 Opening Continued from front page.

level will hold another 140 people.

New entry doors will be set on the building’s Broadway facing-side to provide theater-goers close proximity to a 450-vehicle public parking garage on Woodlawn Avenue.

The Victorian Gothic structure on Washington Street was built in 1871 and served as a Methodist church and a gathering place. Teddy Roosevelt, Frederick Douglass and William Howard Taft to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg have each taken a turn atop the main stage during the building’s 146-year history.

A century after its construction, the building began to fall

into disrepair and the church sat empty for several years. In 2000, the city condemned the building and members of the community rallied to save the structure from demolition. Today, the nonprofit group UPH owns the building and maintains a 21-person board of directors. A local Baptist congregation – which continues to host weekend services at the hall - owns the land on which the church sits.

An initial wave of renovation work began in 2003 after $3 million was raised. The current Capital Campaign - The Road To Opening Night – is ongoing and has secured about 90 percent of the $5.6 million it seeks to raise, Foster says. A fundraiser will be

Richard Lovrich, creative director at Proctors, speaks at Universal Preservation Hall earlier this month during presentation of “Encore: Proctors at 90,” which was co-written with Michael Eck. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.

held in May at Saratoga National.

In 2015, UPH got an added boost when it became an affiliate of Proctors. The Schenectady based organization will lend their expertise in securing programming and coordinating ticket sales and marketing, in addition to other areas. Proctors was built in 1926 in downtown Schenectady and was one of a dozen vaudeville houses along the east coast of the country. A half-century later, it was among the last standing theaters

of a deserted downtown landscape.

Like UPH, it also was saved from the wrecking ball.

Last week Proctors’ creative director, Richard Lovrich, and its publicist, Michael Eck, staged a slide show presentation and discussion at UPH based on the release of their new coffee-table book, “Encore: Proctors at 90,” which depicts everything from the backstage application of character makeup for a production of “The Lion King,” to images capturing gracious remembrances of a theater visit

by Sophia Loren. It is a narrative of renewal and rebirth, and a tale of a city and a theater taking turns saving each other, the authors say.

After undergoing a transformative restoration of its own, the historic theater today features everything from ZZ Top, this weekend, to the staging of “Hamilton,” during its 2018-19 season.

Of UPH, Proctors CEO Phillip Morris says he envisions a welcoming place to gather and a cultural heart of the city. After the Saratoga Springs venue reopens with its 45-foot-tall ceilings, bell tower and walnut and ash staircases that feed into the main hall, it is anticipated it will stage 200 or so annual events. “I like to say I imagine the hall as Saratoga’s living room,” Foster said.

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

NEWS 9

Notes From City Hall

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY Plans to Develop Agricultural Center at Pitney Meadows Farm A Planned Unit Development (PUD) is being sought for the development of a 35,000+ square-foot agricultural center at the Pitney Meadows Farm on West Avenue. The center would sit on a small non-farming portion of the land. The goal is to provide facilities to allow for direct resident education and interaction with agricultural methods relating to producing healthy and nutritional foods in a sustainable manner.

On Tuesday, the City Council unanimously agreed there is merit for review of the zoning amendment, that the City Council would act as Lead Agency in the matter, and voted to seek advisory opinions from the city and county Planning Boards, as well as the Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission.

Update on DPW Garage Fire Marilyn Rivers, city director of Risk and Safety, informed the council of insurance implications related to a Jan. 27 fire at the DPW complex on the city’s west side that badly damaged a city garage.

The entire metal building will require demolition - save for a small concrete vault – and $25,000 deductible aside, it appears the city’s insurance carrier will cover costs to demolish the building, replace tools and equiptment housed within, and cover costs of a rebuilt structure on the site.

The fire was deemed to have started on the east side of the building in an area that housed a work bench, some chemicals and staining gloves, although more specific information on cause remains undetermined, Rivers said.

Saratoga Go! Technology Competition Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan announced a Smart City technology competition - Saratoga Go! – aimed

at challenging individuals, small businesses and software companies to create community innovations to improve the local quality of life.

The three-month competition kicks off in April, and participants will have the opportunity to attend workshops designed to provide valuable information and resources to aid them in their development of the applications. Participants can submit any solution aimed at developing Smart Cities, and is open to all U.S. residents 13 and older.

Workshops will offer training in data, pitching, marketing and customer discovery.

At the end of June, participants will pitch their solutions at an event and winners will receive marketing, promotion, cash awards, and other opportunities to promote their apps.

Registration information will be uploaded to the city’s website, Madigan said. A presentation by the city’s partners in the program will be made at the next City Council meeting, on March 7.

City Sales Tax Receipts Up 3.2 Percent Over Last Year The city received sales tax revenue of about $11.98 million for the 2016 fiscal year, representing a 3.2 percent increase over 2015 receipts, although about $291,000 less than what had been budgeted.

“Even though actual receipts were 2 percent less than budgeted, the city continues to see growth in sales tax for the sixth year in a row,” Finance Commissioner Madigan said.

“Saratoga County also reported sales tax growth in 2016 by 2.97 percent - another indication of our strong economy not only in the city, but across the county.”

Upcoming Meetings The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a meeting 7 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 27 at City Hall.

The Design Review Commission will hold a meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 1 at City Hall.

The 11.69-acre project site at the Pitney Farm on the city’s west side where a mixed-use agricultural center is proposed.

10

NEWS

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Future Growth on the River Continued from front page.

of a final draft and separate votes of approval in both municipalities.

“It’s a success story,” offered Stillwater Town Supervisor Edward Kinowski.

He added praise for staff members at the Capital District Transportation Committee and Planning4Places, the official consultant hired for the zoning study with a $50,000 grant.

According to Lindsay Zepko, the town of Stillwater’s director of building and planning, the zoning changes translate to “lesser degrees of density” when traveling north and west of the village.

The plan itself contains three separate “transect zones” that specify such project dimensions as building heights, lot sizes and distance from Route 4—a popular state highway that mostly hugs the

The Hudson River north of Mechanicville. Photo by Larry Goodwin.

banks of the Hudson River from Troy to Hudson Falls.

In its “mixed use” section, the plan aims to “promote and retain the existing historic character and traditional village streetscape; enhance the village downtown identity by encouraging mixed-use development, street-level activity, and walkability to surrounding neighborhoods; and encourage additional public access to the Hudson River.”

Design guidelines in the plan for proposed projects

consider lighting, rural preservation, protections for waterfront access and views, and the importance of the Saratoga National Historical Park within the town of Stillwater’s borders.

Michael Franchini, executive director of the Capital District Transportation Committee, explained that the Route 4 plan, if approved, will make it “easier for developers” to navigate zoning rules that are currently perceived as tedious and over-complicated.

“This really didn’t focus on what the future development is,” Franchini said, but added “you want to have these plans in place before the development.”

Nelson, the Stillwater mayor, said he personally took interest in the zoning study because of its potential benefits for waterfront development and protection of the Saratoga National Historical Park area.

Nelson said he wants the “sight lines of the battlefield to

stay clean.”

Boat traffic on the Hudson River is increasing, Nelson continued, which elevates the importance of future development along its banks. He placed an equal emphasis on attracting new residents to Stillwater—in the hopes of motivating entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the streamlined zoning process.

“Let’s bring the people here,” Nelson said.

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

NEWS 11

Saratoga Springs High School Hosts Voices for Unity

by Taylor Rich for Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — Aya Awawdeh is an honors student, a soccer fan, and an ice cream lover.

When the Saratoga Springs High School junior decided to start wearing a hijab in the seventh grade, it had a huge impact on her life. Nearly every day she fields questions and comments from her peers about her faith. Some are innocent, or curious.

Others are hurtful.

“Just last week, my sister overheard somebody saying that they feel uncomfortable around Muslim women in a hijab because they’re afraid they’ll blow up the school,” Awawdeh shared with an audience of over a hundred people at a Voices for Unity event at the school.

“I don’t even have words for this. I lived in one of the most intense conflicts worldwide, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but the political circumstances never made me question how I viewed other faiths,” said

Awawdeh, a Muslim immigrant. “Our behavior is the only way that we judge people.”

Voices for Unity, presented by the high school’s Amnesty International Club, featured a panel of speakers on LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, and refugee rights. The goal of the forum was to bring people together in advocating for a more inclusive community.

“These are extremely personal topics for all of us. Sharing your thoughts and experiences in such a public forum can be very emotionally exhausting,” said Abdul (Abude) Alasaad, a Skidmore College student and Syrian refugee. Alasaad was one of four panelists that also included Awawdeh, Lyndon Cudlitz of the Capital Region’s Pride Center in Albany, and Julie Southwell of Amnesty International in Boston.

The speakers agreed that panels such as this one are important because listeners can hear from people who are very different from themselves and find some common ground.

Lynden Cudlitz, Abdul (Abude) Alasaad, Julie Southwell, Aya Awawdeh at a Voices for Unity at Saratoga Springs on Feb. 16, 2017. PhotoAndGraphic.com.

Cudlitz spoke about the LGBTQ community and the history of the movement, and Southwell described the scope of work done by Amnesty International.

“These are human rights issues,” said Southwell, who helped establish the Amnesty International Club at the high school. “It’s not about politics, or a few people who are mad.”

While each panelist offered a different perspective, their messages were all about the things in life that we can—and cannot—control.

“The biggest difference between me and anyone in this room is the random accident of birth,” said Alasaad, who was born and raised in a refugee camp in Damascus. “And it’s this random accident of birth that can determine your fate for your entire life.”

There was a flood of questions from the audience, which consisted of students, faculty, parents, and other members of the community, all wanting to know what they could do to help.

“It’s not enough to call yourself an ally,” said Cudlitz. “‘Ally’ is not an identity. ‘Allyship’ is an action.”

The panelists explained that actions such as attending events like Voices for Unity are a good start, but there’s more that can be done, such as writing letters, signing petitions, and joining local lobbying efforts.

“We have to stay informed and engaged,” said Southwell.

“Not just for tonight.”

12

NEWS

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

A Conversation with Calbone Hospital CEO Talks Community Needs-Driven Change

by Norra Reyes Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — Angelo G. Calbone’s office at Saratoga Hospital has a warm and inviting atmosphere, not at all the cold, corporate look one might expect from a major healthcare center’s president and CEO. The day of the interview fell on Valentine’s Day, and his staff was enjoying the traditional box of chocolates he arranges for all employees throughout the hospital each year. Enzo, Calbone’s quickfooted spaniel named for Enzo Ferrari, was in the office that day, charming visitors.

Calbone’s office setting reflects an overall sense of community that permeates throughout Saratoga Hospital and its mission and values. Calbone says that it is community that drives the hospital as it grows and changes to meet local needs.

“The Sleep Center is a good example,” said Calbone. “We didn’t simply say, Lets just have a bigger sleep center. We had patients using an existing sleep lab in the community and overrunning it with demand, and having to send patients to Glens Falls, Albany, all over the region.

Our identification of there being a need drove that.”

Understanding how patients move through the system and

watching local health trends helps influence the decisions on what services the hospital will provide, and that is how many of the facilities offered by the hospital, such as the Saratoga Hospital Center for Sleep Disorders, come about.

In fact, looking over the last decade of Saratoga Hospital, some of the biggest changes driven by community need and healthcare trends include offsite locations, which rose from 5 to 23; number of employed full-time equivalent providers (6 to 130); and outpatient visits, which more than quadrupled from 55,342 to 249,180 visits.

“We wanted to be a regional institution,” said Calbone. “We didn’t want to be more than ten minutes from any resident in our service area to one of our service locations. It’s important that we are geographically accessible.”

And the hospital has done that, such as developing and expanding its urgent care centers.

Calbone said that over 60,000 urgent care visits are handled between Malta and Wilton annually. “It wasn’t that many years ago that we had none,” said Calbone.

Calbone added that the hospital’s biggest strategic accomplishment is probably the rise of the Saratoga Hospital Medical Group, which accounts for much of the growth in outpatient visits and other areas. As the industry and regulations changed over the years, it has become harder for physicians to maintain a successful, independent practice, so hospital institutions began hiring physicians to protect the provision of physician care in communities. By taking on the administrative burdens and centralizing regulatory practices – especially the expense of moving the industry to electronic medical records – fewer physicians would have to close their doors or move.

“If we had not moved toward developing a medical group, this community was at risk of losing its physician base,” said Calbone. “And we would have found it impossible to recruit. We have also been very successful bringing talented doctors into the community.”

According to Calbone, the new partnership with Albany Medical Center has strengthened

that. “We now have a large medical group and this number increases every two or three weeks,” he said. “First off, the medial group stays inside of Saratoga Hospital, but they are interfacing with the medical staff at Albany Medical Center and talking about having, in future, medical students and residents rotate through up here. We have a number of physicians that enjoy teaching. Now, having a relationship with us means they can also have a relationship with an academic center.”

Calbone said it is beneficial to have medical students around because they ask good questions and provoke good inquiry, and they are a good draw to attracting high quality physicians to Saratoga, especially as some specialties will only work with an academic medical center.

“The partnership also helps us keep them busy,” said Calbone. “We received state approval to bring Emergency PCI services to Saratoga Hospital a few years ago, but to sustain it 24/7 and 365 days a year with the highest quality physicians, you would have to have a partnership to keep all those physicians a hundred percent busy.”

According to the National Institute of Health’s Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may be used to relieve symptoms of coronary heart disease or to reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack.

“It’s pretty exciting, connecting our interventional cardiology program with Albany Medical Center,” he added.

In addition, Calbone said there are a number of specialties that the hospital does not offer and would be difficult to recruit if it weren’t for the partnership.

“Treating infectious disease, for example,” he said, “you don’t necessarily need one full time, so we jointly develop strategies with our partner so some of these physicians can move back and forth.”

Community need drives that decision-making. Recently, the Community Health Needs Assessment conducted by the Healthy Capital District Initiative

showed some startling local numbers, and the hospital has an implementation plan underway to address them. The assessment found that Saratoga County has a higher prevalence of adult asthma, lung cancer, breast cancer, self-inflicted injury, bingedrinking, alcohol-related motor vehicle injury and deaths, and cirrhosis deaths compared to the rest of New York State.

Additionally, the suicide mortality rate was significantly higher than the rest of the state, and increased by 53 percent between the 2008-10 study and the 2011-13 study. Chlamydia in women 15 to 44 years of age increased by 50 percent. Lyme disease rates are the 7th highest of all counties, and opiate poisoning increased by 40 percent.

“Most people have very little awareness of the size of those numbers,” said Calbone. “We are beginning a physician-managed substance abuse program at our community health center this spring. We’ll have a dedicated full time physician, a part-time psychiatrist and a dedicated program around addiction. Doing something effective goes back to understanding there is a dire community need. We watch these numbers at much more granular levels all the time in our organization.”

Saratoga Hospital is the only acute-care facility in Saratoga County, with a medical staff of over 450 physicians and other credentialed providers, and operates several facilities around the region including the Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center, as well as the hospital’s physician practice, Saratoga Regional Medical Group. For more information, go to www. saratogahospital.org.

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

BALLSTON SPA Amsterdam Rd., NYS Route 67, $75,000. Carolyn, James, and John Cromie sold property to Jason Fogg.

156 Westside Dr., $750,000.

Lori Blatnick sold property to Devon and Sheila Manz.

1 Main St., $49,900. Thomas Justin II and Jennifer Hudgens sold property to Raymond Baker and William Goslin.

860 Route 50, $260,000.

Barbara Ille sold property to Saratoga Schenectady Real Property.

365 Middleline Rd., $600,000. Jan Lang sold property to David Macvane.

CHARLTON 16 DeGraff Rd., $257,000.

Kevin Rathgeber sold property to Morris and Ashley Murray.

CORINTH 9 Adirondack Court, $249,000. Janette Spieldenner sold property to Serge and Laura Roy.

GALWAY 5850 Parkis Mills Rd., $445,000. Anthony Leggiero sold property to Petra and Andrew Nygard.

3039 South Shore Dr., $10,000. Shirley Polgreen sold property to Dana Palleschi.

GREENFIELD 502 Maple Ave., $175,000.

Kathleen Lewis and Lynn Damoretcki sold property to CGLF LLC. 659 North Creek Rd., $500,000. Ernest and Andrea Mann sold property to Nancy Cavanaugh.

Lot 4 Dunham Pond Rd., $63,750. Lynn Lindsay sold property to Brian Manny.

2 Humes Rd., $439,900.

Cartier Construction Co. LLC sold property to George and Deborah Lengio.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

565 North End Rd., $350,000. Franesa and Bert Pyle III sold property to Cassandra and Kristen Johnston.

207 Grange Rd., $200,850.

MCM Capital Partners LLC (as Trustee) sold property to Taalib and Katrina Horton.

MALTA 110 Dunning St., $77,500.

Gerald Smith (by Admin) sold property to Capital District Ventures LLC. 16 Hillman Loop, $330,715.

Farone Amedore LLC sold property to Benito and Barbara Rotondi.

12 Surrey Dr., $409,000.

Deborah Fedorczuk sold property to Haiyong Gao and Min Liu.

MILTON 97 East High St., $173,000.

Mary Ortoleva sold property to Kenneth Fish.

10 Stone Creek Court, $311,000. Scott Somma and Cynthia ClaravallSomma sold property to American International Relocation Solutions LLC. 23 Axe St., $170,000. Paul and Malinda Shepherd sold property to David Jenks.

10 Stone Creek Court, $311,000. American International Relocation

Solutions LLC sold property to David, Vanessa, Arthur and Roseanne Viscusi.

91 Rowland St., $166,000.

Florence Gironda sold property to Carol Pollett.

SARATOGA 27 Pearl St., $170,000. Rita Boivin (by Exec) sold property to Anne Dwyer.

SARATOGA SPRINGS 241 Kaydeross Ave., East, $390,000. Friedrich and Mary Stefanzick sold property to Margo Tohn.

54 Winding Brook Dr., $240,000. Meadowbrook IV LLC sold property to Christopher and Emily Willcox.

71 Trottingham Rd., $242,000. Rose Industries LLC sold property to Steven Atkins.

43 Forest Ave., $440,000.

Alice Goldsmith (by Exec) sold property to Dennis and Margaret deJonghe.

12 Richard Ave., $91,000.

DGD Holdings LLC sold property to Hsuan Lee and Wan Fang.

4 Avenue A, $450,000. Mary Roohan sold property to John Iacoponi and Renee Taliana.

16 Furlong St., $79,500.

Nicholas and Susan

Dalessandro sold property to Susan Dalessandro.

10 Mystic Lane, $515,000.

Elizabeth Gaume (by Agent) sold property to Robert Pilles and Jonathon Hays.

100 North St., $411,000.

Michael Hoffman sold property to David and Erin Conklin.

STILLWATER 32 Ridge Court, $311,000.

Michael Yurch sold property to Risa Winograd (as Trustee).

37 Native Dancer Lane, $320,000. Lucas and Chelsea Madden sold property to Terry and Hollie Nagy.

13 WILTON 30 Meditation Way, $228,650. Robert and Elizabeth McMartin sold property to Matthew Gofstein and Arielle Rubin.

404 Northern Pines Rd., $245,000. Kristen Mann sold property to Andrew Larosa and Alexandra Wait.

23 Craw Lane, $349,900.

McPadden Builders LLC sold property to Scott and Beth Ann Pechtel.

26 Rolling Hills Rd., $262,000. Martha Cogswell sold property to Kenneth and Pamela Neverett.

14

BUSINESS

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Saratoga Casino’s Losses and Wins

by Larry Goodwin Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS – With the opening of a competitor in Schenectady, revenues were down slightly at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Yet, at least one industry expert thinks that does not indicate a long-term trend.

According to the New York State Gaming Commission, the “net win” at Saratoga Casino Hotel was $3.1 million on February 4.

On February 18, ten days after the grand opening of

Rivers Casino and Resort in Schenectady, commission records show that Saratoga Casino Hotel’s net win had dipped by about $700,000 to $2.4 million. The total amount of money spent that same week had surpassed $38 million, while the total paid out to gamers went above $35 million.

The net win figure is considered by gaming industry officials as the most important measure of activity for any facility. It covers each facility’s total weekly earnings through the six days prior to a given date.

The records show that one of the highest net wins for the Saratoga Casino Hotel over the past year, $3.9 million, was reported in August. The casino’s weekly earnings have not dropped below $2 million since 2010.

In its first week of operation, the Schenectady gaming facility reported a net win of more than $3 million, the records show.

Amy Brannigan, director of marketing for Saratoga Casino Hotel, did not respond to a request for comment on those figures.

Lee Park, a spokesman for the state gaming commission, said he would “not recommend taking the first couple of weeks” of operation at the Rivers Casino and Resort as

The Saratoga Casino Hotel on Jefferson Street. Photo by PhotoAndGraphic.com.

indicative of any type of trend.

Park said officials at Saratoga Casino Hotel were well

aware of the potential for an economic impact from new gaming opportunities in Schenectady, going so far as to complete “a huge expansion over the past year” in preparation.

Plus, Park said, state officials who selected the Schenectady location had fully considered its potential impact on gaming in Saratoga Springs, and determined that the industry in both areas could flourish.

Foundation Seeks Funds SARATOGA SPRINGS — ­ The Hawley Foundation for Children is now accepting funding requests from organizations that serve the needs of children in Saratoga County. The deadline for application is March 1, 2017. Award recipients will be notified by April 1.

In 2016, a total of 12 organizations received Community Grants and 9 organizations received Camp Awards.

The funding criteria includes: The organizations must serve needy children in Saratoga County; the projects must benefit, enhance and enrich the quality of life for children in Saratoga County; and organizations must have a 501 (c) (3) non-profit status .

Applications can be found at http://hawleyfoundation.org and for more information, address emails to info@hawleyfoundation.org.

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Three More Beer Experts at DeCrescente MECHANICVILLE — On February 20, DeCrescente Distributing Co. announced that employees William Ramsey, Marcus Harnichar, and Michael Read have earned the title of Certified Cicerone.

That makes a total of 12 people who have successfully completed the training program at DeCrescente Distributing to become Certified Cicerones.

In the beer industry, the Cicerone Certification Program is a comprehensive testing curriculum that provides a measureable means of designating the expertise of an individual in regards to every facet of beer. Certified Cicerone is the second level of certification.

Those who achieve this certification have a solid and well-rounded knowledge of beer and beer service as well as basic competence in assessing beer quality and identity by taste. The four-hour Certified Cicerone exam includes written, tasting and demonstration portions. A grade of 80 percent overall and at least 70 percent on the tasting portion are required to pass.

There are 2,740 Certified Cicerones in the world and approximately 150 in New York state alone. DeCrescente Distributing is honored to have taught 12 of these Certified Cicerones, further demonstrating their established credibility in the beer industry and their continued commitment

to superior customer service.

For more information about the Cicerone Certification Program, please call DeCrescente Distributing at 518-664-9866 or visit: https://cicerone.org/.

BSNB Plans Two New Locations BALLSTON SPA — On February 13, Ballston Spa National Bank (BSNB) announced plans for expansion within Albany County, involving two new branches in Guilderland and Voorheesville.

The expansion will bring BSNB to 13 total branches in the Capital Region, and stems from the organization’s commitment to providing better service and convenience to its customers and the communities it serves.

Pending regulatory approval, the new locations will feature the same services available at existing BSNB locations such as personal checking and savings accounts, commercial deposit accounts and cash management services, residential mortgage lending, commercial loans, and trust and investment planning. Further, the move will necessitate hiring ten staff members.

The new branches will be located at 1973 Western Avenue in Guilderland and 13 Maple Road in Voorheesville.

The opening dates will be announced upon regulatory approval.

For more information, call 518-363-8628 or visit http:// www.bsnb.com.

BUSINESS BRIEFS 15 Saratoga Race Course Sets Dining For Season SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association, Inc. announced a new digital process for dining reservations during the 2017 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course, which will begin on July 21 and continue through Labor Day on September 4.

Reservation requests for seven or more dates at the Turf Terrace; Club Terrace or The Porch will be accepted via email at SaratogaDining@nyrainc.com beginning Thursday, February 23 at 10 a.m. through Monday, February 27 at 4 p.m. Reservation requests should include dates, size of party and guest contact information for verification.

Individual dining reservations will be accepted online at www.OpenTable.com or on the Open Table mobile app beginning Wednesday, March 1 at 10 a.m.

Following the reservation request, a NYRA dining representative will contact guests to confirm dates, based on availability. Seating charge payment will be required at this time to finalize the reservation. Seating charges are final and nonrefundable. Dining reservations are non-transferable.

Additionally, full-space group hospitality reservations for the 2017 season at Saratoga

Race Course will be available beginning Tuesday, March 7 at 10 a.m. for the following areas: The Rail Pavilion; Luxury Suites; Paddock Tent; Festival Tent; Big Red Spring Tent; and Top of the Stretch.

Group sales reservations will be processed through the NYRA Box Office by phone at 844-NYRA-TIX or via email at boxoffice@nyrainc.com.

Partial hospitality space bookings may be secured beginning Wednesday, March 22.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.

Meeting Date for Saratoga Business Women SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Women in Business (SWIB) group will hold their next bi-monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Saratoga National Bank, 171 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Parking is available in the bank’s parking lot.

The SWIB group targets female business leaders in the greater Saratoga Springs area and offers free bi-monthly fellowship opportunities. Wine and light snacks, sponsored by area businesses, will be provided at each gathering, and door prizes will also be

awarded. Voluntary cash contributions will be collected at the door in order to help fund future SWIB events.

Every SWIB meeting includes a 5-minute presentation by a local woman-led, nonprofit organization. The March non-profit spotlight will be on AIM Services, which provides support and services to people with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.

Learn more at www.aimservicesinc.org.

To learn more about the Saratoga Women in Business group or to register for the free March 15 networking event, visit their website at www.sarato g awom e n i nbu s i n e s s . c om .

The registration deadline is Thursday, March 9.

16

TECHNOLOGY CORNER

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Why Fiber? Why Now? Why Not?!

Tech II is a monthly technology contributor to Saratoga TODAY. There are four reasons you should consider fiber for internet and voice at your SMB (small to mediumsized business).

First, a quick history lesson on the evolution of human communications (sort of in order). Let’s see- hand signals, verbal, smoke signals, drums, horns, Morse code, telegraph, telephone, radio, internet, email, satellite cellular…who knows what’s next?!

Never before in human history has communication been more integral in our day-to-day lives. Walk into your nearest professional office and nearly every employee will have a plethora of communication methods, starting with the phone on their desk and the computer they sit in front of.

Perhaps the simplest way to measure the importance of these devices is to see how quickly one’s frustration level rises when either isn’t working. Oh, and let me tell ya, if neither of these are working for anyone in the office, just sit back and watch the fireworks, and understandably so! We use our technology for critical communication with our co-workers, partners, and clients. In today’s business world, when our communications are down,

production is usually crippled.

Today, many companies have a combination of copper lines for voice communications, and some form of high speed internet. In small companies, often their high speed is over the local televisions company’s coaxial (coax) cable connection. While these solutions weren’t built as true business class circuits, the affordable highspeed they offered outweighed the better reliability of other options. In contracts with providers, coax internet speeds are typically referred to as “up to,” rather than a guaranteed “at” speed, and usually have relatively fast download speeds but much slower upload speeds (asymmetrical). The network is shared, rather than dedicated, and performance will fluctuate throughout the day. Service Level Agreements (SLA’s), the providers’ contractual obligations to keep you up and running, as well as the commitment to address issues when arise, would never suffice in the traditional telecommunications industry.

The fact is, high-speed is desperately needed, and the limitations of internet delivered via coax has been acceptable for most companies. More recently, we’ve seen increased instances where this has

created major issues with our clients, specifically, when critical services are moved to these circuits. Losing “just internet” is acceptable in most businesses. However if your phone lines go down, or your users can’t get to those servers that were just migrated to the cloud…well that’s a much different conversation. All of a sudden reliability and strong SLA’s become a huge deal. Perhaps the biggest challenge we see is intermittent reliability and issues with broadband delivered via coax I’m here to tell you that just comes with the territory.

What if you could have it alltelecommunications services (phone lines) and symmetrical high speed internet all on a reliable network and at aggressive prices? Well, you can, and the service is delivered via fiber, and it’s available right now in many areas here in our region!!! The fact is, coax service can’t match the reliability, speed, or performance of fiber.

Here are the four reasons why you should switch your business to fiber.

1.Reliability Fiber service has guaranteed SLA’s that will ensure your critical business communications will be

online when you need them. Unlike cable, if a problem does occur, you can rest assured that 24/7/365, the circuits are being monitored and serviced to perform as promised within the provider’s contract.

2. Affordability While the price has come down, fiber as a stand-alone service for internet is generally more expensive than cable internet. However when you closely evaluate all the (carrier) services your business requires, often you can get the fiber services at the same or even less.

3. Simplicity One of the reasons businesses don’t move forward with fiber is that they have a hard time understanding what they currently have, what they may need moving forward, or who even offers any of the services.

The good news is that Tech II offers a no-charge service where we evaluate what you currently have in place, and present the different options available to you. We are partnered with most of the major carrier services providers in the region. They pay us to help you, and you will pay the same or less than if you had the ability to figure it all out in-house. We are well-positioned to help you after the move as well, as we’ll become an extension of your staff. We can call the provider and speak on your behalf, saving you from having to spend hours or days dealing with the carrier in the event of a service issue. We even coordinate the installation of the new services!

4. Cost to Physically Transition Another reason businesses hold off on moving their services is the cost to have their IT and Telephone service company transition their computers and telephones over to the new services. Well, I’ve got some more good news- we offer discounted service rates for companies who utilize Tech II for Carrier Services, and for a limited time,

we’re offering free technical services to those who transition to fiber.

Please contact us for details.

Tech II’s CEO, Dan Bardin, recounts a recent situation where fiber made all the difference (luckily for him!)

“This past year we had a substantial client come on board with our hosted services. Before we give the green light on such an install, we complete testing to ensure the bandwidth is up to speed and will be able to handle the traffic. If the speed’s no good, regardless of how great we do in the data center, and the cloud, the experience will be poor. The result is an unsatisfied customer that is unhappy with our service when in reality, the problem lies with their internet connectivity.” He goes on to say, “Well, the tests went fine, but soon after, there were intermittent drops on the virtual desktops, and the client was frustrated. Even with all the tools at our technicians’ disposal, they couldn’t say with certainty that it was a connection issue. The client wanted proof before investing in the upgrade to their carrier services.

We couldn’t give it to them.” Dan eventually made them an offer they couldn’t refuse (I’m guessing it was presented in his best Don Corleone voice, although more likely, it was delivered by email). “Finally, I said that if the upgrade doesn’t fix the issue, I’ll pay for the cost of the bandwidth increase myself!” That’s how he rolls!! Well, sure enough, we had the fix. Fiber was the answer, and nobody had to sleep with the fishes!

For more information on our Carrier Services, including the many benefits of partnering with us for your phone and internet needs, please visit the Business Solutions section of our website, www.tech-ii.com, or give us a call at 518-587-1565.

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

17

Puzzles Across 1 Bumper car, at times 7 Cookbook author Rombauer 11 Smoke 14 Lancelot’s unrequited lover 15 Assam products 16 Barcelona bear 17 Equipment for picnic competitions 19 Grabbed a chair 20 Melee 21 Ballet bend 22 State with five national parks 23 Embryo development sites 26 Priestly vestment 29 Right Guard rival 30 Old anesthetic 31 Willy Loman, in a 1949 play 34 Architect Jones 37 McDonald’s founder 38 Make really happy 41 Nobel Prize subj.

42 “Cheers!”

44 Connections traced on ancestry.com 46 Tiny amounts 49 Chill in the air 50 Denials 51 Big name on Wall Street 55 French friends 56 Elevator option 57 Horseshoe-shaped letter 61 Tried to get into an office 62 Lisa Simpson’s instrument 64 With 43-Down, what a criminal might be on 65 Augusta National’s __ Corner 66 British Invasion star 67 Doesn’t lack 68 Nothing more than 69 Its flag features a six-pointed star Down 1 Weight room count 2 Burn soother 3 Damon of “The Martian” 4 Mazda roadster 5 Inters 6 Classic auto 7 Novelist Calvino 8 Deliver from memory 9 Succeed 10 In the Gospels, Jesus rode into

See puzzle solutions on page 38

See puzzle solution on page 38 Jerusalem on one 11 San José denizen 12 First name in gravity 13 Some black-clad teens 18 “This Is __ Tap” 22 Early Web forum 24 Title 25 City with two MLB teams 26 More than wonders 27 Carefree adventure 28 Connections traced on ancestry.com 32 Modern birthday greetings 33 “Can’t help ya” 35 Disco adjective 36 Tip jar fillers 39 Lease signer 40 “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” writer Carle 43 See 64-Across

45 Galaxy alternatives 47 Title for Bovary 48 Distracting bedmate 51 “Party on, Wayne” speaker 52 City on the Missouri 53 Sty denizens 54 Ugly campaign tactic 58 “¿C-mo __?”

59 “The Wizard of Oz” family name 60 Skater’s maneuver 62 Impact sound 63 Geisha’s sash

Writing the Right Word by Dave Dowling

Accuracy in word choice is a key to effective communication. In your daily writing and speaking, try to make sure you use the right word in the right place with the right spelling. By doing so, its effect will affect your communication in a positive way. This quick weekly tip will help you filter the confusion in some of our daily word choices.

This Week: Quotation, Quote Quotation, a noun, refers to words someone said.

The quotations of JFK and Churchill continue to be popular.

Quote, a verb, means to repeat the words of someone.

Do you mind if the press quotes you on that statement?

Note: Used informally, quote is the shortened word for quotation.

The online service offers a daily quote on all stock prices.That movie has many memorable quotes.

Dave Dowling is the author of The Wrong Word Dictionary and The Dictionary of Worthless Words. Both books are available from many book retailers, and signed copies can be obtained by contacting Dave at dave.dowling65@gmail.com

18

EDUCATION

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Blue Streaks Robotics Head to Worlds

by Norra Reyes Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — After a successful VEX Robotics Northern New York State Championship tournament Saturday, February 18, at Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena, the Saratoga Springs Blue Streak Robotics team is heading to Kentucky in April for the VEX World Championship.

Amanda Davis, a junior at Saratoga Springs High School, is a driver for the six-member team that competed, in charge of remote-controlling the robot. “States was a ton of fun,” she said, “but very stressful the entire day. Especially during elimination matches, when we had a couple malfunctions with motors overheating and not having enough batteries. In our division finals match, to decide to go to Worlds, our robot was not turned on properly, so we had to turn it off and back on in the middle of the match. I sprinted over to where the robot was and, thankfully, we were able to get it operating and won that match.”

Basically, the competitors had to build a robot that would compete in a game against other robots all built from the same basic materials.

There is a new game every year, and this year the game was called “Star Struck.” It involved foam “jacks” or “stars” that the robots had to throw over a wall, and the object was to get all your team’s stars on the other side.

Collin Bolles, Saratoga Springs High School junior, said he spent a lot of time programming in preparation for States. “We have 15 seconds in each match when the robot is completely autonomous,” he said, “and

that can sometimes make or break a game. I was focusing a lot on writing the autonomous code, so my driver was never starting off down points.

We put a lot of effort into this, and into the engineering notebooks, covering all our bases. A strong engineering notebook is one of the ways into the World competitions.”

According to Preston Sweeney, the administrator for the team, there were 64 teams at the State championship split into 2 divisions, one technology, one engineering.

“These kids work hard, on weekends, non-stop. It was a nice feeling of Saratoga, Granville, and Queensbury working together as one unit,” said Sweeney. He added that the Blue Streaks have gone to States every year, and this will be the second trip to Worlds.

“It’s quite the experience,” he said. “The Louisville Expo Center is just a monster facility, and basically you really have the world there – kids from China, Australia. You don’t know who you’ll be teamed up with.

You could get teamed with kids that don’t know any English. It gives the kids a good experience.”

Team parent mentor, Paul Davis, said, “They worked unbelievably hard. Not only did they work out the calculations to figure out what’s best in designing the robot, but they also strategized the game, and what teams they work with really well. It’s a real world situation. I think it’s preparing them for whatever field they go into.”

The team is made up of all juniors, so they are looking to spark interest in the younger grades. For anyone interested, Bolles said, “I think the number one thing is that you don’t have to know anything

Photos by PhotoAndGraphic.com.

The second seeded Granville team joined forces with Saratoga and Queensbury. The cooperative effort landed a division win at the state tournament and entry to the VEX World Tournament.

about robotics to get involved. I think if you have a real passion and interest, go for it and you’ll learn what you have to along the way. I came in with a firm grasp in math technology fields, but there are certainly students who don’t have that.

One of our strongest members is planning on going into journalism.”

Davis said her favorite thing about the team is getting to work with others. “You don’t get to do that a lot in a typical classroom setting,” she said. “You collaborate not only with teammates, but also other teams around the region and now around the world.”

The VEX Worlds 2017 will take place April 19 through 22 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. The Blue Streak

The Blue Streaks Robotics Team: Mentor Paul Davis, Collin Bolles, Nathaniel Greene, Amanda Davis, Teacher Preston Sweeney, Renee Banigan, Jillian Zick and Derek Bruce.

Robotics team is currently fundraising for the team to go, and more

information on how to help is available at www.bluestreakrobotics.org.

Students Donate 3,650 Items

Amanda Davis, Renee Banigan and Jillian Zick.

Schuylerville Elementary School students celebrated 100 days of school on Thursday, Feb. 16 by giving back to the community. Students in the Kindness and Compassion (KC) club challenged each elementary classroom to bring in 100 food items to donate to the Schuylerville Area Food and Emergency Relief (SAFER). Club members reminded their classmates about the challenge by hanging posters around the school and providing daily reminders on the announcements with their “we can, we will” chant. The club collected 3,650 items. Photo provided.

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

EDUCATION BRIEFS

Saratoga Springs Celebrates Bus Drivers

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School (SSCSD) District Transportation Department participated in “Love the Bus” during the month of

February. “Love the Bus” was initiated by the American School Bus Council to raise awareness and appreciation for the thousands of school bus drivers who safely

transport children to and from school. In addition, drivers at SSCSD also provide students with transportation to extracurricular activities and athletic events.

BOCES New Visions Info Session SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Washington-Saratoga-WarrenHamilton-Essex (WSWHE) BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) program will hold information sessions on its New Visions Health Careers Exploration and New Visions

Engineering programs. These events will include the New Visions Health Careers Exploration on March 1 at 6 p.m. at the Wesley Health Center Activities Room, 131 Lawrence St, Saratoga Springs, the same event again on March 7 at 6 p.m. at the

Rodion Cantacuzene Scholarship SARATOGA SPRINGS — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is once again offering the Rodion Cantacuzene Scholarship, an annual award recognizing young leaders and volunteers throughout Saratoga County. The scholarship, awarded in a one-time amount of $1,000, will be presented in June to a high school senior from Saratoga County who has demonstrated a record of academic

excellence and exemplary service to the community along with a strong interest in pursuing future studies in history and/or the arts.

Details and an application form can be found at www.racingmuseum.org under the Education tab.

Questions pertaining to the scholarship should be directed to Karen Wheaton, the Museum’s education curator, at 518-584-0400 ext. 118. The entry deadline is April 7.

Saratoga Hospital Looking for Student Volunteers SARATOGA SPRINGS — Applications are now available for Saratoga Hospital’s summer program called Students Sharing Opportunities and Responsibilities (SSOAR).

SSOAR offers area junior and senior high school students opportunities for community service in a healthcare environment.

Participants will volunteer at least 48 hours in one of several areas of the hospital, including the Gift Shoppe, Treasures Consignment Boutique, medical/surgical floors, and emergency department.

Accepted SSOAR participants will attend a mandatory orientation on June 23.

Completed applications must be received/postmarked

by April 7. Detailed information and application requirements are available at www.saratogahospital.org/aboutus/volunteering, through high school guidance offices, and at the front desk of Saratoga Hospital. For email inquiries, students may contact Betsy St. Pierre, Associate Director of Volunteer Services, at estpierre@saratogacare.org.

Glens Falls Hospital Community Room, 100 Park St, Glens Falls; and New Visions Engineering on March 7 at 6 p.m. at the Southern Adirondack Education Center, building B, room #4, 1051 Dix Ave, Hudson Falls. Each information session is free and open to the public.

CTE is a division of the WSWHE BOCES. CTE provides an array of classes for secondary school students as well as adults. In addition to the New Visions program, CTE classes include Auto Body Repair, Automotive Technology, Construction Trades, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice Studies, Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Early Childhood Education, Environmental Conservation and Forestry, Graphic and Visual Communications, Health Occupations, and many more.

Additional information can be found at Careerandteched.org.

19

Ballston Spa Central School District Offers Health & Wellness Expo

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District’s Health and Wellness committee is hosting the 5th Annual Health and Wellness Expo on Saturday, March 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Wood Road/Milton Terrace Elementary Schools at 220 Wood Road. The Expo is FREE and open to ALL children, families and individuals residing in the Ballston Spa Central School District.

Over 30 health and wellness professionals from throughout the region will be exhibiting and providing educational information on fitness, healthy eating, and related wellness topics. There will be fitness and exercise demonstrations, and each of the district’s six schools will be showcasing service learning projects and educational activities

that have taken place throughout the school year.

Several bicycles will be raffled off again this year thanks to donations from the Ballston Spa school staff members. Over 200 bicycle helmets will also be given away to students by the Ballston Spa Emergency Corp and Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department. The Ballston Spa Teachers Association also plans to distribute over 800 free books to the students who attend the Health Expo on March 4. There will be additional drawings throughout the day with many giveaways from the exhibitors.

For additional information, please contact Ballston Spa’s Coordinator of District Advancement, Madeleine Petraglia, at mpetraglia@bscsd.org or at 518-884-7195 ext. 1369.

Saratoga Hospital Volunteer Guild Offering Scholarships SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Hospital Volunteer Guild is offering five $1,500 scholarships to high school seniors in the greater Saratoga County area who are interested in pursuing healthcare careers.

Eligible students must be entering college in September of 2017, have at least a 2.5 GPA, and a documented record

of community service. The application deadline is March 31, 2017. Scholarship recipients will be honored at the Volunteer Guild’s Annual Recognition Dinner on May 11.

Requirements and applications are available through local high school guidance offices and online at www.saratogahospital.org/aboutus/volunteering.

20

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

21

459 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs NY 12866 www.siskids.org • 518-583-0841

WEEKLY THEME-BASED ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 9 YEARS OLD

Program Dates: July 10 to August 18, 2017 Program Hours: 9am to Noon, or 9am – 3pm; Before care available at 8:30am Whether exploring the past or designing the future, the Summer enrichment experience at Saratoga Independent School is sure to engage and excite children ages 3 to 9 years old. Our morning program themes change from week to week with topics for all interests. Campers will spend time with a variety of teachers, including Physical Education and Art teachers, alongside theme-based exploration.

If a half day isn’t quite enough, stick around for the afternoon. This year we are offering a less structured, multi-aged afternoon with water play, board games, and opportunities for personal expression.

COME PLAY WITH US THIS SUMMER! 2017 WEEKLY CAMP THEMES: • Monsters, Myths and Magic: July 10-14 Are you brave enough to face a Cyclops? Battle a dragon? This week you can be the hero as you forge your own tale, while learning about some of the most famous Greek and Roman mythical figures.

• Edible Chemistry: July 17-21 Let’s play with our food as we combine and cook with household products. This will be a week you can really sink your teeth into!

• Road Trip Across America: July 24-28 “From California, to the New York island” this week is made for you and me! America is full of amazing sights that we can admire and learn from. We will travel virtually in search of new places, people, and adventure.

• What gets you Going? Energy!: July 31-August 4 Who knows more about energy than kids?! With hands on activities galore, experiments with renewable energy sources will be the focus.

Solar Oven s’mores is sure to engage and inspire a new generation of scientists.

• Imagination and Innovation: August 7-11 Building, creating, inventing: this week is sure to appeal to all. From architectural design to Legos and blocks, children will explore some of the world’s most instrumental inventions, and use their own creativity to design for the future.

• Ooey Gooey Science: August 14-18 The title speaks for itself! Slime, Ooblek, stress balls, silly putty…If it’s ooey, gooey, squishy or slimey, we’ll play with it! Old clothes are a must this week.

To register, please visit the Saratoga Independent School website: www.siskids.org/programs

22

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Places of Adirondack Christian Fellowship 8 Mountain Ledge, Wilton 587-0623 | acfsaratoga.com Services: Sunday 8 a.m. & 10 a.m.

Adirondack Friends Meeting 27 Saratoga Ave, South Glens Falls 793-3755 | adirondackfriendsmeeting.org Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Assembly of God Faith Chapel 6 Burgoyne St, Schuylerville 695-6069 | Rev. Jason Proctor Services: Sunday 10:45 a.m.

Assembly of God Saratoga 118 Woodlawn Ave, Saratoga Springs 584-6081 | Services: Sunday Worship 10 a.m.

Bacon Hill Reformed Church* 560 Route 32N, Bacon Hill | 695-3074 Rev. Janet Vincent | Services: Worship service 10 a.m.; Sunday School 10 a.m.

Baha’i Community of Saratoga Springs 885-0876; 692-7694 | usbnc.org Ballston Center Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 58 Charlton Road, Ballston Spa | 885-7312 ballstoncenterarpchurch.org Services: Sunday Worship, 10:30 a.m.

Ballston Spa United Methodist Church 101 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa 885-6886 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Bethesda Episcopal Church* 41 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs Bethesdachurch.org | 584-5980 The Very Rev’d Marshall J. Vang Services: Sunday 8:00AM & 10:00AM Calvary Capital District 17 Low Street, Ballston Spa | Pastor Andrew Holt Services: Sunday 10 am | calvarycd.com Church of Christ at Clifton Park 7 Old Route 146, Clifton Park 371-6611 | cliftonparkchurchofchrist.com Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Christ Community Reformed Church 1010 Route 146, Clifton Park | 371-7654 ccrc-cpny.org | Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Christ Episcopal Church Routes 50 & 67, Ballston Spa | 885-1031 Services: Sunday 8 & 10 a.m.

Christian Restoration Ministries Saratoga Senior Center 5 Williams St, Saratoga Springs 796-4323 | Pastor Pat Roach Services: Sunday 10 a.m.; 6:30 p.m.

Christian Science Church 107 Circular St, Saratoga Springs 584-0221 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Community Alliance Church 257 Rowland St, Ballston Spa 885-6524 | Services: Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Congregation Shaara Tfille* 84 Weibel Avenue, Saratoga Springs 584-2370 | saratogasynagogue.org Services: Saturday 10 a.m.

Corinth Free Methodist Church 20 Hamilton Ave, Corinth 654-9255; 792-0271 Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Corinth United Methodist Church 243 Main Street, Corinth 654-2521 | cfumc@cnyconnect.net Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Cornerstone Community Church 516 Park Ave., Mechanicville | 664-5204 mycornerstonechurch.org | Pastor Frank Galerie Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Community 2001 Route 9, Round Lake 877-8506 | office@corpuschristichurch.net Services: Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 8 & 11 a.m.; Eastern Orthodox — Christ the Savior 349 Eastline Road, Ballston Lake 212-7845 | www.xcsavior.org Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m.

First Baptist Church of Saratoga Springs 45 Washington St, Saratoga Springs 584-6301 | www.fbcsaratoga.org Services: Sunday 12 noon First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa 202 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa 885-8361 | bspabaptist.org Services: 10:30 a.m. worship, 9 a.m. Sunday School (all ages) First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa 22 West High St, Ballston Spa 885-5583 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Full Gospel Tabernacle 207 Redmond Road, Gansevoort 793-2739 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Galway United Methodist Church 2056 East St, Galway | 882-6520 galway-united-methodist-church.com Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m.

(9 a.m. in July and August) Grace Fellowship Saratoga

165 High Rock Ave, Saratoga | 691-0301 saratoga.gracefellowship.com Pastor: Mike Adams Services: Sundays 9 & 11 a.m.

Grace Brethren Church* 137 W. Milton Road, Ballston Spa 587-0649 | Rev. Dan Pierce Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Greater Grace Community Church Pastor David Moore | 899-7777 thechurch@ggccmalta.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Greenfield Center Baptist Church 30 Wilton Road, Greenfield Center | 893-7429 Services: Sunday School for all ages - 9:45 a.m.; Church Service - 11 a.m.

Highway Tabernacle Church 90 River Road, Mechanicville | 664-4442 Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Hope Church 206 Greenfield Ave, Ballston Spa 885-7442 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Jonesville United Methodist 963 Main St, Clifton Park 877-7332 | Services: Sunday 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Living Springs Community Church 59 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs 584-9112 | Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Living Waters Church of God 4330 State Rt. 50, Saratoga Springs 587-0484 | livingwaterscog.us Services: Sundays 10 a.m.

Malta Presbyterian Church Dunning Street, Malta 899-5992 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Malta Ridge United Methodist Church 729 Malta Ave. Ext, Malta 581-0210 | Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Middle Grove United Methodist Church* 581-2973 | Pastor Bonnie Bates Services: Sunday 9 a.m.

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Corner of Jefferson St. & Crescent St. Saratoga Springs | 584-9441 Rev. Dr. Victor L. Collier, Pastor New Horizon Church 150 Perry Road, Saratoga Springs 587-0711 | Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

New Life Fellowship 51 Old Gick Road, ­­Saratoga Springs 580-1810 | newlifeinsaratoga.org.

Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

23

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Worship NorthStar Church Gowana Middle School, Clifton Park 371-2811 | northstarchurch.com Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.

Old Saratoga Reformed Church* 48 Pearl St., Schuylerville oldsaratogareformedchurch.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Old Stone Church (American Baptist) 159 Stone Church Road, Ballston Spa 583-1002 | Services: Sunday 9 a.m.; Adult Sunday School 9 a.m.; Service 10:30 a.m.

Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church* 73 Midline Road, Ballston Lake 399-5713 | Services: Saturday 5:30 p.m.

Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Presbyterian-NE Congregational Church 24 Circular St, Saratoga Springs 584-6091 | pnecchurch.org Services: Sunday 10:45 a.m.

Quaker Springs United Methodist Church* 466 Route 32 South, Quaker Springs 695-3101 | qsumc.com Pastor Al Johnson Services: Sunday 9 a.m.

River of Hope Fellowship 100 Saratoga Village Blvd, Malta Cmns, Ste. 3 | 881-1505 riverofhopefellowship.com Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 584-2375 | Services: Saturday 5 p.m.; Sunday 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m.

St. Clement’s Roman Catholic Church 231 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs 584-6122 | Services: Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 8, 9:30, 11:15 a.m. and 5 p.m., 1 p.m. Spanish Service St. George’s Episcopal Church 912 Route 146, Clifton Park 371-6351 | stgeorge@csdsl.net Services: Saturday 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 8 & 9:30 a.m.

St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church* 3159 Route 9N, Greenfield Center 893-7680 stjosephschurchgreenfieldcenter.org Services: Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 10:30 a.m.

St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church* 167 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa 885-7411 | stmarysbsta.org Services: Saturday 4 p.m., Sunday 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., Noon.

St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church* 771 Route 29, Rock City Falls 893-7680 | sjoegctr@nycap.rr.com

Services: Sunday 8:30 am.

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 149 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs 584-0904 | Services: Saturday 5 p.m.; Sundays 8:30 & 11 a.m.

St. Peter Lutheran Church 2776 Route 9, Malta | 583-4153 Services: Sunday 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.; Sunday School at 9:15 a.m.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church 1 Grove Street, Schuylerville 695-3918 | Rev. Donna J. Arnold Services: Sunday 8 & 9 a.m.

St. Thomas of Canterbury 242 Grooms Road, Halfmoon st-thomas-of-canterbury.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Saratoga Abundant Life Church 2325 Route 50 South, Saratoga Springs 885-5456 | SALChurch.org Services: Sunday 9:30 a.m.

Saratoga Chabad 130 Circular St, Saratoga Springs 526-0773 | saratogachabad.com Saratoga Friends Meeting (Quaker) Rts. 32 and 71, Quaker Springs 587-7477; 399-5013 Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Saratoga United Methodist Church* Henning Road, Saratoga Springs 584-3720 | saratogaumc.com Services: Sunday 9:00am and 10:45am Saratoga Seventh-Day Adventist Church 399 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs 882-9384 | saratogasda.org Services: Sabbath School: 10 a.m. Worship Service: 11:30 a.m.

Schuylerville United Methodist Church* 51 Church St, Schuylerville 695-3101 | sumethodist.org Services: Worship at 11am Shenendehowa United Methodist 971 Route 146, Clifton Park 371-7964 Services: Sunday 9 & 10:30 a.m.

Simpson United Methodist Church Rock City Road, Rock City Falls 885-4794 Services: Sunday 10:45 a.m.

Soul Saving Station for Every Nation Christ Crusaders of America 62 Henry St, Saratoga Springs Services: Sunday 10 a.m. www.SOULSAVINGSTATIONCHURCH.COM Stillwater Christian Fellowship Meeting at Liberty Ridge Farm 29 Bevis Road Schaghticoke, NY 12154 Stillwater United Church (Presbyterian U.S.A.) 747 Hudson Avenue, Stillwater | 664-7984 stillwaterunitedchurch.org Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Temple Sinai* 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 584-8730 | saratogasinai.org Shabbat Services: Friday 6 p.m. or 8p.m. (rotating schedule) Saturdays: 10:30a.m.

Terra Nova Church* 45 Washington St, Saratoga Springs 833-0504 | terranovachurch.org Services: Sunday 5:30 p.m.

The Salvation Army/ Worship, Service & Community Center 27 Woodlawn Ave, Saratoga Springs 584-1640 Services: Sunday School 10 a.m.; Praise & Worship 11 a.m.

Trinity United Methodist Church 155 Ballard Road, Gansevoort 584-9107 | tumcwilton.com Rev Keith Mann Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs 624 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs 584-1555 | uusaratoga.org Services: Sunday 10 a.m.

Unity Church in Albany 21 King Ave., Albany 453-3603 Services: Sunday 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.

West Charlton United Presbyterian Church 1331 Sacandaga Road, West Charlton 882-9874 | westcharltonupc.org Rev. Thomas Gregg, Pastor Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Wilton Baptist Church 755 Saratoga Road, Wilton 583-2736 wiltonbaptistchurch.com Services: Sunday 11 a.m.

24

FOOD

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Dreaming of Summer With Winter-Time Steaks New York Strip Steak with Mushrooms Adapted from recipe by Eating Well and shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table

Saturdays, 9 to 1 Lincoln Baths Saratoga Spa State Park

Grilled Sirloin Steak with Arugula by Pattie Garrett

by Pattie Garrett for Saratoga TODAY Winter is edging toward spring.

We might be daydreaming of summer evenings on the deck, savoring a steak from a pasture-raised cow raised

by Longlesson, Lewis Waite, M&A, or Norseman farms grilled over a barbecue. Yet, as the chill from the still lingering snow emanates upwards, we quickly shift that line of thinking toward the warmth of indoors.

Fortunately, the meat and produce farmers at the weekly Saratoga Farmers’ Market can help us navigate that seasonal divide. The secret to a successful steak lies of course in how you prepare it. But that preparation is also enhanced by the tantalizing toppings that you add.

So consider fresh arugula from Pleasant Valley or Shushan Hydro Farms as a topping or side dish.

Or mushrooms from Mariaville Mushrooms sautéed with bacon, garlic and rosemary. Or even perhaps a garlic herb butter with fresh pea shoots as a side.

Steaks that you buy at the

Sirloin Steak with Garlic Herb Butter by Pattie Garrett

farmers’ market will be frozen upon purchase. To enjoy their flavor to the fullest, give them some time to thaw completely. Don’t rush this process, advises Janet Lampman, of Lewis Waite Farm.

Before preparing the thawed steak, give it 30 minutes on the kitchen counter to come to room temperature. Then, dry it with a paper towel, and place it in a skillet – ideally cast iron – that is big enough to allow at least one inch of space around the steak.

Lampman suggests cooking the steak at a high heat for 2 minutes on each side, and then placing the skillet in an oven, heated to 200 degrees F, for an additional five to seven minutes. Then remove the steak from the pan but allow it to sit for about 5 to 10 minutes, which allows it to continue

to cook as the internal temperature rises, then falls.

To top your steak, try: - Combining chopped garlic and herbs such as rosemary and thyme with butter. Roll the mixture into parchment paper, chill for two hours, and then slice over the steak.

- Sprinkling fresh pea shoots or arugula over the steak before serving.

- Sauteeing chopped bacon, oyster mushrooms, chopped garlic, herbs, and a dash of wine together and then pouring over the steak just before serving.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market operates from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturdays through April at the Lincoln Baths Building in the Saratoga Spa State Park.

For preparing the steak, Longlesson recommends that the steak is at room temperature before cooking. Pat it dry and season. Get the skillet hot. Rub the steak with olive oil and place in skillet. Grill for 5 to 7 minutes per side. Cook it until the thermometer reads 115-120 degrees for medium rare. Set aside to rest for about 5 minutes. Top the steak with Garlic Rosemary Mushrooms from this recipe.

Ingredients

Directions

* Ingredients can be found at the market

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until just beginning to brown, about 4 minutes.

Add mushrooms, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost dry, 8 to 10 minutes. Pour in wine and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

- 1½ slices bacon, chopped* - 1½ pounds Oyster mushrooms (can use a mix of cremini, shiitake and portobello) cut into ¼ inch slices* - 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped* - 1½ teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary* - salt and pepper to taste - ¼ cup dry white wine*

New York Strip Steak with Mushrooms by Pattie Garrett

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

FOOD 25

If It Makes You Happy

by John Reardon for Saratoga TODAY Hello my Foodie Friends.

This coming week marks the 20 year anniversary of our relocation to Saratoga Springs New York. My wife and I began our adventure to Upstate New York as part of a corporate relocation. It is amazing to look back and see how quickly 20 years have gone by. Recently, we were reflecting upon our first weeks in this area. While Paula would travel weekly to the Rochester/ Buffalo area for work, I would often times be taking our two children to dinner after work. One particular memory was while catching a quick dinner downtown. On the music speaker at the restaurant was a song that

was very popular at the time.

Our daughter Aubrey, who was almost four at the time, recognized the song and with spontaneity, jumped on the table and started singing “If it makes you happy, then why the ---- are you so sad!” by Sheryl Crow. She sang with enthusiasm as if she understood what the words meant! I had to quickly cover her mouth.

Paula and I remember those times of when we were basically “two ships passing in the night” making life work while we were both working in the corporate environment. The weekends were the only times we really had as a family to sit at the table and enjoy a good, home cooked meal. We both would travel for our jobs and appreciated having something home cooked. Paula often stated that cooking on the weekends made her happy. It was our true family time. How does cooking make you happy?

Here are some reasons: Once you start to look at cooking the same as driving your car, working at your career, or practicing your hobby, the things you do without thought every day, you

will enjoy the same benefits of cooking that make you happy. #1) Freedom – You have the freedom to cook ANY ingredients that you can find, even if you don’t exactly know what they are. You can create fantastic meals from the items onhand and don’t have to run to the grocery store for food that the recipe commands. Make recipes from what you already have.

2) Confidence - Have the confidence to know that meals will be a winner every single time because you can repeat a standard process on a wide variety of foods. Saute’ many different ingredients, or cook one ingredient in many different ways. Confidence makes you happy.

3) Health – You can be happy because you know you are improving your health with wholesome foods that you cook yourself. Purchase nutrient rich fresh foods and you can experience more energy, more brain power, and better sleep patterns because of good food. Learn to cook fresh foods!

4) Family - Cooking is a social skill. My family is excited when we cook because they know it will be creative and interesting. We attend

more parties because of our cooking skills, and can talk about food topics because we have been behind the stove and seen what happens when we apply heat. Being around friends and family with a good meal can make you very happy.

5) Money – You can save money when you cook. The meals you make at home would cost $20 a plate or more at a restaurant. Save money on the BEST ingredients by purchasing fresh from reputable stores or local farm stands. Cooking at home can save on empty calories, bad ingredients, and lots of money over convenience foods.

One of Sheryl Crow’s favorite foods is sweet potato fries and at Compliments to the Chef, we stock a great French Fry cutter to make your fries quickly and straight!

Life can be hectic.

Planning our meals and being able to have the time to cook is not always an ideal situation. However, spending time at the dinner table discussing life events, plans, or simply in savoring your own creation can make you happy.

I am not sure if the restaurant appreciated my daughter singing on their table.

However, it is a story that we

still laugh and talk about at the dinner table. That song remains one of our favorites!

So “If it makes you Happy” then make wonderful memories together. Remember: “Life Happens in the Kitchen”. Take care: John and Paula Here is a healthy Sweet Potato French Fry recipe to bake in the oven: Ingredients • 2-3 large sweet potatoes, sliced into thin strips (use a French Fry Cutter or cut with a Chef ’s Knife) • ¼ cup olive oil or melted coconut oil • Spices of choice (use: garlic, sea salt, pepper, basil, oregano, and thyme) Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Put olive oil and spices in small bowl and mix well.

3. Slice sweet potatoes and put on large baking sheet (or two if you are making a lot).

4. Pour oil over the fries and toss by hand until evenly coated- this will also coat the baking sheet.

5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or more until slightly browned and tender.

6. Serve with homemade ketchup or mayo (It is a French thing!).

26

LOCAL BRIEFS

Concert: “Music!”

An interactive concert on March 3 at 10 a.m. for children ages 3 and older, featuring Balinese and Javanese gamelan, Taiko drumming, and more. The concert will be held at the Zankel Music Center, Skidmore College. For more information, call 518-580-5321 or go to www.skidmore.edu/zankel Rummage and Bake Sale Ballston Spa United Methodist Church will be holding a Rummage and Bake Sale on Saturday, March 4 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the Fellowship Room (in the back of the church). We will be offering a variety of furniture, linens, sporting goods, collectibles, games, housewares, clothing and books.

Plus delicious baked goods. The church is located at 101 Milton Ave. in Ballston Spa. Spring Craft Fair Ballston Area Community Center will be hosting its annual spring craft fair March 4 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. We are located in the village of Ballston Spa. This event is free and open to the public. Check out a wide selection of homemade crafts and gifts. Stop by our concession stand for some yummy snacks. Fun for the whole family. For more information please contact Kathi 518-885-3261.

Saratoga Springs Retired Teachers Meeting Saratoga Retired Teachers will meet on Monday, March 6, at noon at Longfellows Restaurant, 500 Union Avenue (Rte. 9P), Saratoga Springs.

Prospective members please call 518-587-5356 for membership information and luncheon reservations.

Science of Mind Foundations, Unit 2 Class Albany-Saratoga Spiritual Adventures is hosting the 3-week class, “Science of Mind Foundations, Unit 2: Wholeness, Attraction and Abundance” on Tuesdays, beginning March 7 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Woodlawn Commons, 156 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs. In this class in practical spirituality, students will explore some of the

Core Concepts of the Science of Mind teaching, including the natural state of wholeness, the Law of Attraction, and how to experience abundance in life, coupled with the spiritual practices of affirmative prayer, gratitude, and the Fear to Faith process. Suggested donation is $20 per class session.

For more information, visit www. newthoughtnewyork.org or call 518366-9918.

Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series Thursday, March 9, 2017 the Brown Bag Lunch Lecture presents, Ulysses S. Grant and his Saratoga Connections, 1865 to 1885, presented by Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s Docent Gloria May and the Friends of Grant Cottage Site Historian Melissa Trombley-Prosch. All Brown Bag Lunch Lecture programs are free and open to the public – no registration required. The programs take place from noon – 1 p.m. and meet in the H. Dutcher Community Room, Saratoga Springs Public Library, located at 49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs.

Saratoga Regional YMCA Annual Scholarship Campaign Party The Saratoga Regional YMCA invites you to join us on March 10, for our 2017 Annual Campaign Party. From 6 -10 p.m., guests will enjoy complimentary food and spirits, while dancing to the tunes of the Garland Nelson Ensemble at Excelsior Springs at the Marriott.

There will also be a silent auction and wine pull, if you’re feeling lucky.

Also, Smile Lounge Photo Booth New York will be there to capture the evening’s festivities. Proceeds from this event benefit our 2017 Annual Scholarship Campaign, which ensures that everyone can participate at the YMCA regardless of their ability to pay. With your help, we can build a better us.

Tickets can be purchased on our website or call Allison D’Antonio, Mission Advancement Director at 518-583-9622 x 104.

Adirondack Christian Singles Coffee House On Friday March 10, 6 p.m., at Community Alliance Church, located at 257 Rowland St Ballston Spa, and our musicians Ray & Ed will be offering a selection of contemporary Christian songs,

gospel and some oldies. We will have an open mic for those who care to offer their talents as well.

Just bring a snack to share and be ready to enjoy meeting other single Christians. This is a free event. Our first coffee house in February was a huge success. Come and bring a friend for a fun relaxing evening.

Brighter Days, Shelters of Saratoga 2017 Gala Please join Shelters of Saratoga at its 2017 Brighter Days Gala on Thursday, March 23, 2017 from 6-9 p.m. at Longfellows Restaurant on Union Ave. in Saratoga Springs.

This annual fundraising gala provides critically needed support to over 700 individuals facing homelessness in our region each year. Guests will be treated to an evening cocktail style reception, dancing, silent auction and the core reason for its existence: providing help, hope and humanity to those most in need. Reservations: $100 per person.

This year we will be honoring Saratoga Springs Police Chief, Greg Veitch with the Help, Hope and Humanity Award for his outstanding dedication of service to our community. For more information, visit www. sheltersofsaratoga.org.

Babysitting Course Adirondack Health and Safety will once again be presenting a child and babysitting course at Gavin Park.

This course is open to girls and boys, ages 10 and up. Participants will learn the basics of CABS (Child and Babysitting Safety), along with CPR and first aid. The course runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 25. Pre-registration and bag lunch is required. Cost for Wilton Residents is $60, Saratoga Springs School District Residents is $65, and all others is $70. Registration can be done online, by mail or in person at Gavin Park, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Questions may be answered by calling the park office at 518-584-9455.

Craft/Vendor Show The General Schuyler Rescue Squad, located at 901 Route 29 in Saratoga Springs is hosting another Craft/Vendor Show on Saturday, March 25. We have over 35 spaces, refreshments, raffles and fun. Reserve your space for $25.

by March 1. Call Jennie at 518-3901357 or respond by e-mail. Please

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017 support your local rescue squad.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Ballston Area Community Center 19th Annual Gala Flannel up for some fun (attire) on Saturday, March 25, 6:30 p.m. at Milton Community Center located at 310 Northline Rd. Cocktails and Silent Auction, Dinner, Dancing with Hersh Productions, and Silent Auction. RSVP by March 11.

RSVP’S received before March 4 will be entered in “The-Early-Bird-GetsThe-Worm” Drawing. Let the games begin. Embrace your Inner Lumber Jack www.ballstonareacc.org.

Saratoga READS! Bus Trip Invites You to Walk in the Footsteps of Frank Sullivan Participants will depart by bus from Wilton Mall at 7 a.m. on April 1 and enjoy a full day in the midtown Manhattan neighborhood frequented by Sullivan and the other members of the Algonquin Round Table. The day will begin with lunch at the famed Algonquin Oak Room and be followed by two walking tours of the neighborhood given by Kevin Fitzpatrick, author of several books about the Round Table. After some free time to explore the neighborhood the group will gather again at the Algonquin for a cocktail (cash bar). The cost is $72 per person and includes bus transportation, lunch, and the walking tours.

Departure from Manhattan back to Saratoga will be determined at a later date. To register, please contact Rhona Koretsky at busplus1@ gmail.com or 518-505-1303 and mail a registration form, which can be picked up at the library’s Information Desk, and check payable to SSPL to: 3 Longwood Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

For more information about Saratoga READS!, please visit www. saratogareads.org Fighting for Mya Fundraiser The American Legion Post 234, located at 23 Pleasant Street in Ballston Spa, will host a fund raiser for 15-year-old sophomore, Mya, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. This benefit will take place on April 29, 2017 at 2p.m. All support will be greatly appreciated.

Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians Event A grand day of Irish music, dance, and culture on Sunday, March 5, 2017, 1-6 p.m. at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks, 1 Elk Lane, Saratoga Springs. Adults $ 10 donation at the door, under 12 free. Bring canned food items to be donated to our local food pantries. Light fare and raffles.

7th Annual Baskets for Ben Fundraiser Ben’s Fund helps children with need in 32 schools in conjunction with Warren, Washington and Saratoga Counties! Baskets for Ben benefits the Ben Osborn Memorial Fund, a regional nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization which was created in loving memory of our Cpl. Benjamin D. Osborn of Queensbury. Ben was killed during combat operations in Kunar Province, Afghanistan on June 15, 2010 while serving in the United States Army during Operation Enduring Freedom.

The benefit will be held at the Queensbury Hotel in beautiful downtown Glens Falls. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. The auction begins at 6:30 p.m. For additional information, please contact: William D. Osborn, President, Ben Osborn Memorial Fund, 518-792-4514.

Senior Nutrition Program Saratoga County Office for the Aging sponsors the program in Saratoga County. Persons age 60 and over can participate in a meal that is served at 12 noon at several meal sites throughout Saratoga County. Meal sites are located in Ballston Spa, Charlton, Clifton Park, Corinth, Edinburg, Galway, Greenfield, Hadley, Halfmoon, Malta, Mechanicville, Moreau, Saratoga, Schuylerville, and Waterford. This nutritious lunch is served Mondays-Fridays.

Reservations are required at least one day in advance by noon.

A registration form must be completed by each participant annually. No food/drink items can be taken to go. Participants will receive monthly contribution letter. The suggestion donation is $2.00 per meal. For more information and contact phone numbers of locations, please call Billie Jo at the Office for the Aging, 518-884-4996.

Send your local briefs to calendar@saratogapublishing.com two weeks prior to the event.

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017 Tang Family Saturdays

Family Friendly Event

Friday, February 24 Fish Fry Fridays Fish Creek Rod and Gun Club, Route 32 south of the village of Victory, 4:30 – 7 p.m.

Fish Fry Friday will continue each Friday of the month.

Menu: fried fish, fried clams, fried chicken tenders, popcorn shrimp, buffalo shrimp, and clam chowder by the bowl or by the quart. Eat in at our club house or to call ahead for take-out 518695-3917. Everyone is welcome.

Candlelight Ski and Snowshoe Saratoga Spa State Park, 19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Families are invited to this fundraiser event. Please bring minimum of 2 canned food items to be donated to Franklin Community Center. 1-Mile candlelit loop, bonfire, ice skating and hot food and drinks!

Snowshoes are available to rent on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Saturday, February 25 Stand for the Rock Caffe’ Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 2 p.m.

Organized by Ndakinna Education Center and hosted by Caffe’ Lena Stand for the Rock features an afternoon of Native American music and storytelling to raise funds for Sacred Stone Camp, the encampment of Standing Rock Lakota Water Protectors opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline. Cost is $20/$10.

100 percent of your ticket purchase will be donated to https://www.gofundme.com/ sacredstonecamp

Tang Museum, Skidmore Campus, Saratoga Springs, 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Join us for a hands-on Gamelan Workshop. Learn all about the instruments from Indonesia with members of the Skidmore Gamelan Banyu Wali Ensemble, and learn to play them yourself.

Free and open to the public.

Reservations are required by calling 518-580-8080.

Thorobred Toastmasters Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, 6 – 6:45 p.m.

Develop and grow - both personally and professionally, learn by doing. Whether you’re an executive or stayat-home parent, college student or retiree, you will improve yourself; building skills to express yourself.

You’ll open up a world of new possibilities: giving better work presentations; leading meetings - and participating in them more confidently; speaking more smoothly off the cuff; even handling oneon-one interactions with family, friends and colleagues more positively.

Sunday, February 26 Breakfast Buffet Sons’ of ITAM Post #35, 247 Grand Ave., Saratoga Springs, 8 – 11:30 a.m.

We have made to order omelets.

Cost is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and children under 5 are free.

Consciousness-Raising Book Discussion Woodlawn Commons, 156 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, 6 p.m.

Join us for a spiritual book discussion. All are welcome whether or not they’ve read.

This month’s book is In Tune with The Infinite by Ralph Waldo Trine. Hosted by AlbanySaratoga Spiritual Adventures.

For more information, visit www. newthoughtnewyork.org or call 518-366-9918.

CALENDAR 27 Monday, February 27 Wellness Walk Camp Saratoga North, Wilton Wildlife Preserve, 80 Scout Road, Gansevoort, 10 a.m.

Enjoy nature with others looking to get outside! The walk is geared towards gentle exercise and is for participants at basic fitness levels.

Snowshoes are available for rental 30 minutes before the program; free for members and $3 for non-members. For locations, as well as to register, please call 518-450-0321 or email: info@ wiltonpreserve.org.

Tuesday, February 28 New Saratoga Friends Saratoga Springs Public Library, Susman Room, Saratoga Springs, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

New Saratoga Friends is a social group for baby boomers. This is not a dating or singles group.

Couples and singles are welcome and there is no membership fee. Group members plan social activities based on their interests.

For more information contact newsaratogafriends@gmail.com or join our meet-up group www.

Meetup.com.

After the Fire Monthly Meeting Eagle Matt Lee Fire House, 35 Washington St., Ballston Spa, 7 p.m.

After The Fire is a non-profit, volunteer organization that helps Saratoga County residents who have suffered a loss due to fire. For more information, call 518-435-4571 or visit, www. afterthefire.org .

Wednesday, March 1 Winter Storytellers Series SUNY Empire State College, 2 Union Ave/, Room 126, Saratoga Springs, Noon – 1 p.m.

The Academy for Lifelong Learning presents the last teller in its ninth annual storytellers through March 1. Veteran storyteller Betty Cassidy presents “Life Stories” Sponsored by

Prestwick Chase at Saratoga.

Free and open to the public.

Postponed if Saratoga Springs city schools are closed. For more information, call at 518-587-2100 ext. 2415. www.esc.edu/all

reading will follow. Readings will start at 7:30. The host for the event will be Carol Graser. Cost is $5, students are free. For more information, call 518-583-0022, www.caffelena.org.

The Olde Saratoga Seniors Meeting

Ballston Area Senior Monthly Dance

Schuylerville Town Hall, 12 Spring St., Schuylerville, Noon This will be a casserole luncheon.

Please bring a dish to share.

Entertainment will be Al and Cathy Bain. New members are welcome. Call Pat 518-331-2978.

Milton Community Center, 310 Northline Rd., Ballston Spa, 7 p.m.

The dance is open to the public.

There is a $5 entrance fee for non-members. Everyone is asked to bring a snack to share. The Vintage Country Band will be providing the music. For more information, call 518-885-6740.

Brown Bag Lunch: Dazzle and Pattern Disruption Tang Museum, Skidmore College Campus, Saratoga Springs, 12:30 p.m.

A lunchtime discussion led by curatorial collaborators of the exhibition Sixfold Symmetry: Pattern in Art and Science Bring your lunch; drinks and sweets provided. For more information, call 518-580-8080.

Malta Business & Professional Association Annual Dinner Panza’s Restaurant, Saratoga Lake, 6 – 9 p.m.

The public is invited to attend this event to learn more about the MBPA, meet and chat with local business owners and spend a laughter-filled evening with local stand-up comedian and comedy writer, Chris O’Leary, from Saratoga Springs. Cost to pre-register is $45, walk-ins $55.

Cocktails 6 -7 p.m.; Dinner 7 – 8 p.m.; Program 8 p.m. Register: www.MaltaBPA.org or email Pam Grandin at MaltaBPA@gmail. com. To learn more, visit www.

MaltaBPA.org.

Poetry Reading and Performance Caffè Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, Sign up 7 p.m.

Poetry by Melody Davis and a performance by James Belflower and Matthew Klane An open

Thursday, March 2 Saratoga Torch Club Holiday Inn, Saratoga Springs, Call or email for time.

Peter Dowling, M.D., will present on the topic Acupuncture. Acupuncture points are stimulated to balance the circulation of energy, which influences the health of the person and promotes the body’s natural healing ability. Many conditions can be corrected or improved. Reservations are required. Please contact Gerald Stulc at deusrex@live. com or call 270-584-4555 for additional information and reservations.

A Green Gathering Harvey’s Restaurant and Bar, 14 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 5 – 7 p.m.

Green Drinks: A “green gathering” for those who work, volunteer, or have a passion for promoting the environment, conservation, and sustainability. Cash bar available (non-alcoholic drinks and food may also be purchased). Visit www. greendrinks.org/NY/ Saratoga%20Springs for more information..

Send your calendar events to calendar@saratogapublishing.com two weeks prior to the event.

ARTS 28 +

ENTERTAINMENT

Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series Features Talks About Ulysses S. Grant, Potato Chips, Mineral Baths and Gambling Houses SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series kicks off the 2017 spring season on Thursday, March 9 with a talk about Ulysses S. Grant and his Saratoga Connections.

The program will be presented

by Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s Docent Gloria May and the Friends of Grant Cottage Site Historian Melissa Trombley-Prosch.

The series continues with The History of the Saratoga Chip, presented by Alan Richer on April 6,

The Burning of the Piping Rock, presented by author Joe CutshallKing on May 11, and Charlie Kuenzel’s discussion on Saratoga Mineral Bath, on June 8.

All Brown Bag Lunch Lecture programs are free and open to the public and take place from noon to 1 p.m. in the H. Dutcher Community Room, Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St. For more information, contact the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center at 518-587-3241, www. saratogaspringsvisitorcenter.com

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

30th Annual Flurry Festival SARATOGA SPRINGS — Hundreds of performers took part in the 30th annual Flurry Festival, which was staged at four venues and featured over 250 events from Feb. 17-19, 2017.

Passport to Morocco: Saratoga Performing Arts Center Presents Winter Ball

All photos by PhotoAndGraphic.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s Junior Committee presents its Winter Ball at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 4 at the Hall of Springs.

The theme for this year’s fundraiser, “Passport to Morocco,” is inspired by the rich culture and mystique of Morocco.

Tickets to the event are $110 and are available online at spac. org. Proceeds raised at the event support classical and educational programming at SPAC. The ball will feature live music

by Funk Evolution, a paparazzi photo booth by Heather BohmTallman, craft cocktails and delectable fare by Mazzone Hospitality

including several Moroccan specialties. Guests will also be able to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win several prizes including certificates for fine dining, spa services, hotel stays and more.

SPAC’s Junior Committee, formed in 2010, consists of rising young professionals from in and around the Capital Region.

The goal of the Committee is to assist SPAC in fundraising, donor cultivation and outreach among their peers. Proceeds raised at the Committee’s Winter Ball help underwrite the classical programming and educational activities of SPAC’s summer season.

South High Marathon Dance Set to Kick Off 40th Anniversary SOUTH GLENS FALLS — From a small event first imagined in 1977, to a community wide effort that raised over $760,000 in 2016 for people in need, the South High Marathon Dance will celebrate its 40th year on March 3.

The annual event features students at South Glens Falls High School, grades 9-12, who gather to raise money and to dance for 28 consecutive hours straight, all in the name of

local people and charities who need help.

The first dance drew about 50 dancers who raised $1,500.

In 2016, more than 750 dancers raised over $762,000.

In the 39 years that the dance has been held, the students and the community have raised over $5.6 million dollars and donated money to more than 400 causes and individuals. More than 80 percent of the

school’s population dances in the Marathon Dance.

This year’s dance takes place from 7 p.m. on March 3 to 10:30 p.m. on March 4 at 42 Merritt Road, South Glens Falls. The event is open to the public from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and re-opens 6:30 a.m. Saturday, and includes raffles, sales of SHMD apparel and live and silent auctions. For more information on the dance, go to: http://shmd.org/.

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Under a Marquee Moon: Solid Sound Festival to feature Wilco, Television, Peter Wolf

NORTH ADAMS, MASS. — Wilco’s Music and Arts Festival – spanning three days and four stages – will take place June 23-25 at MASS MoCA, located approximately 60 miles southeast of Saratoga County.

Solid Sound includes music by Wilco and its members’ side projects, as dozens of other musical performers, a full comedy lineup, and family fun for all ages, local food, craft beer, camping, naturalist activities, and more.

The music lineup: Alloy Orchestra, Andy Shauf, The Autumn Defense, Big Thief, Daniel Bachman, Dave Alvin

and Phil Alvin with The Guilty Ones, Dawn of Midi, Deep Sea Diver, Gustafer Yellowgood, Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids, Jeff Parker Trio, Joan Shelley, Kacy & Clayton, Kevin Morby, Kurt Vile & The Violators, Max Hatt / Edda Glass, On Fillmore, Peter Wolf & The Midnight Travelers, Quindar, Robert Glasper Experiment, Television, The Nels Cline Four, The Shaggs, Tweedy, Wilco.

Three-day passes are $159, $50 for children ages 7 to 10. Price includes museum admission. For more information, go to: http://massmoca.org/.

Trio of Concert Announcements: Brad Paisley, Moody Blues, One Republic to Perform at SPAC SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Moody Blues will stage a show at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center July 16, as part of the band’s “Days of Future Passed” 50th anniversary tour.

Tickets for the pavilion-only show are $126, $90.50, $70.50, $50.50, and $40.50.

Brad Paisley, with Special Guest Dustin Lynch, Chase Bryant, and Lindsay Ell will perform at SPAC on May 18. Tickets are $59.75, $45.25, and $30 lawn.

OneRepublic, Fitz and The Tantrums, and James Arthur will stage a show on Aug. 1 as part of the

2017 Honda Civic Tour. The summer tour will make 36 stops in the U.S. and launches in Kansas on July 7.

OneRepublic released their debut set “Dreaming Out Loud” in 2007. Their newest album, “Oh My,” featuring the hit singles “Wherever I Go,” “Kids” and “Let’s Hurt Tonight,” and the band will join U2: The Joshua Tree Tour 2017, on four dates before kicking off their summer tour. Tickets are $135 to $35, $25 lawn.

Tickets for all three shows go on sale Friday, Feb. 24. at www.

LiveNation.com and at Ticketmaster Outlets: 1- 800-745-3000.

ARTS 29 + ENTERTAINMENT

Ronald K. Brown/Evidence – A Dance Company Dance Talk and Demonstration

Ron K. Brown – Evidence. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Ronald K. Brown/Evidence – A Dance Company will appear at the National Museum of Dance at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 2 for a dance talk and demonstration.

During the program the company will provide insight into their choreography, which

fuses traditional African dance with contemporary movement that invites audiences to share in their celebration of community and the resilience of the human spirit.

Members of the Company will also discuss and provide excerpts from their main stage

performance scheduled to take place the next night at The Egg Performing Arts Center in Albany.

The event at the dance museum is free and open to the public. For reservations, call 518584-2225 x3001. The National Museum of Dance is located at 99 South Broadway.

ARTS 30 +

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

Proctors Goes ‘Wicked’ Skidmore Theater to Stage Edward SCHENECTADY — Long before Dorothy arrived in the Land of Oz, there was another girl, born with emerald-green skin—smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”

“Wicked,” the Broadway sensation, kicks off a 12-day run at Proctors on Wednesday, March 1.

Tickets are $38- $153. For more information, go to: http://www. proctors.org/events/wicked.

With a score that includes the hits “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” and “For Good,” “Wicked” has been hailed by The New York Times as “the defining musical of the decade.”

Albee’s “Fragments” March 2-8

Staged Production Celebrates Centennial Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage ALBANY — A free theatrical production about women’s suffrage, “Petticoats of Steel,” will be staged 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 2 in the Huxley Theatre at the Cultural Education Center, 222 Madison Ave. in Albany.

Celebrating the 2017 centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage in New York State,

“Petticoats of Steel” is a powerful theatrical production produced

by Capital Repertory Theatre that tells the true stories of New York women and the roles they played gaining voting rights for all.

Seating is limited; registration is strongly encouraged. Register by calling 518-474-1303 or online at http://conta.cc/2k6ccRF

Skidmore Theater presents “Fragments.” Photo by Sue Kessler

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Skidmore College Department of Theater presents its spring Black Box production, “Fragments,” by Pulitzer Prize winner Edward Albee, from

March 2 through March 8 at the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater, on the Skidmore College Campus.

Tickets are $12 general admission and $8 for students and senior

citizens. For more information, go to: https://theater.skidmore.edu/.

To reserve seats, call the Skidmore Theater Box Office at 518-580-5439, or email: boxoffice@skidmore.edu.

Hubbard Hall Hosts Blues & Brews, Stage Play About Book Clubs CAMBRIDGE — Hubbard Hall Center for the Arts will host a fundraising concert for the hall featuring the Roadside Blues Band at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25. The event includes warming chili, corn bread, desserts, and a cash bar. Admission is $20.

Hubbard Hall and Battenkill Books will stage Karen Zacarías’ “The Book Club Play,” March 4 – 19. Tickets are $25 general

admission, and $10 for students. The play focuses on the fun, frivolity, and deeply serious politics found in beloved Book Clubs. A pre-show conversation featuring members of the cast and the creative team will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 at Battenkill Books.

For more information, go to: www.hubbardhall.org, or call the box office at 518-677-2495.

Hubbard Hall Center for the Arts, located in a renovated 1878 rural opera house and adjacent former freight yard complex, is a community arts center dedicated to bringing the best of the arts to the region with year-round theater, music and dance performances and classes and workshops for all ages and skill levels.

Hubbard Hall is located at 25 East Main St. in Cambridge.

Renowned Finger Lakes Guitar Quartet to Perform Sunday SARATOGA SPRINGS - The Finger Lakes Guitar Quartet, one of the northeast’s premier classical guitar ensembles, will appear in concert at Bethesda Episcopal Church, on Washington Street, from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 4.

The FLGQ plays exciting, eclectic programming

spanning five centuries, including original arrangements, as well as works commissioned and premiered by the FLGQ. Saturday’s performance will feature works by Faure, Granados, Machado, and a work written for the FLGQ by Skidmore College’s Anthony Holland.

The celebrated ensemble features accomplished guitar soloists Joel Brown, Brett Grigsby, Sten Isachsen, and Paul Quigley.

Suggested donation is $10.

For more information, contact Bethesda Episcopal Church at 518-584-5980.

ARTS 31 + ENTERTAINMENT

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Spa City Rockers Dryer to Perform at One Caroline SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dryer, who celebrated the release of their first new-music CD in 14 years with a performance at One Caroline in November, will return to the venue on Saturday, Feb. 25 to perform two sets that range from the intimate to the cacophonous – or as the band says: Cuddle Set at 9 p.m., Rockers at 11.

Guitarist Bobby Carlton and bassist Rachael Sunday co-founded Dryer in Saratoga Springs in 1992. Drummer Joel Lilley joined the group in 1993, and guitar player Brian Akey was recently added to the fold.

Dryer performing at the Tang Museum, summer 2015. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.

In November, the band issued a five-song EP “Bright Moon, Bright Sun.” For more

information, visit: https://dryerrockmusic.com/

CRITERION 19 RAILROAD PLACE, SARATOGA SPRINGS

Logan (R) 2D Logan (R) 2D BTX

week of 2/24-3/2 friday, 2/24: Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys, 8 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583-0022 Garland Nelson, 9 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587-7359 Mike O’Donnell, 7 pm @ Inn at Saratoga — 583-1890 Tim Olsen Quartet, 9 pm @ 9 Maple Avenue — 583-2582 Kung Fu, Lespecial, 9:30 pm @ Putnam Den — 584-8066 Lordi, 7 pm @ Upstate Concert Hall — 371-0012

saturday, 2/25: Johnny Cash Birthday Celebration with Marty Wendell & The Bluebillies, 8 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583-0022 Kevin Downey, Jr., 7:30 pm @ Comedy Works — 275-6897 Acoustic Circus, 9 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587-7359 Becky Walton, 7 pm @ Inn at Saratoga — 583-1890 Dirty Harri’s Tribute to George Harrison, 3 pm @ Hudson River Music Hall — 832-3484 Steve Lambert, 9 pm @ 9 Maple Avenue — 583-2582 Angels on the Fourth, Paradox Saints, Galaxy Overdrive, 9 pm @ Putnam Den — 584-8066 Hey Jude, 8 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583-1916

@ Comedy Works — 275-6897 ZZ Top, 8 pm @ Proctors — 346-6204 Hot Club of Saratoga, noon @ The Merry Monk 584-6665

monday, 2/27: Open Mic Night, 7 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583-0022

tuesday, 2/28: Open Mic w/ Rick Bolton, 7:30 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587-7359 Drank The Gold, 7 pm @ Inn at Saratoga — 583-1890

wednesday, 3/1: Poetry Open Mic Featuring David, Klane & Bellflower, 7 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583-0022 Tim Wechgelaer & Chris Carey, 7:30 pm @ Inn at Saratoga — 583-1890

thursday, 3/2: The Bombadils, 7 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583-0022 Jeff Walton, 6 pm @ Inn at Saratoga — 583-1890

Thu: 8:10, 11:20 Thu: 7:10, 10:20 fRi - sun: 11:20 aM, 2:20, 5:10, 7:50, 10:30 Mon - Thu: 2:20, 5:10, 7:50, 10:30

CoLLiDe (auToBahn) (Pg-13) 2D The gReaT WaLL (Pg-13) 3D BTX

fRi - WeD: 6:00, 8:50 fRi - sun: 10:30 aM, 1:40, 4:20, 7:00, 10:20 Mon - WeD: 1:40, 4:20, 7:00, 10:20 Thu: 1:40, 4:20, 7:30, 10:20

The gReaT WaLL (Pg-13) 2D

fRi - sun: 10:40 aM, 1:30, 4:10, 6:50, 9:30 Mon - Thu: 1:30, 4:10, 6:50, 9:30

The Lego BaTMan Movie (Pg) 2D The Lego BaTMan Movie (Pg) 2D BTX

fRi - Thu: 12:30, 3:10 fRi - sun: 11:30 aM, 2:00, 4:40, 7:20 Mon - Thu: 2:00, 4:40, 7:20

a Dog’s PuRPose (Pg) 2D

fRi - sun: 10:20 aM, 1:10, 4:50, 8:00, 11:00 Mon - Thu: 1:10, 4:50, 8:00, 11:00

sPLiT (Pg-13) 2D hiDDen figuRes (Pg) 2D

fRi - Thu: 12:00, 3:30, 6:40, 9:50 fRi - sun: 11:10 aM, 2:10, 5:20, 8:20, 11:10 Mon - Thu: 2:10, 5:20, 8:20, 11:10

Lion (Pg-13) 2D

fRi - WeD: 1:20, 10:50 Thu: 1:20 PM

fenCes (Pg-13) 2D

fRi - Mon: 12:40, 3:50, 7:30, 10:40 Tue: 12:40, 10:40 WeD: 12:40, 3:50, 7:30, 10:40 Thu: 12:40, 3:50

La La LanD (Pg-13) 2D

fRi - sun: 10:10 aM, 4:30, 7:40 Mon - WeD: 4:30, 7:40 Thu: 4:30 PM

ManChesTeR By The sea (R) 2D MoonLighT (R) 2D

fRi - Thu: 10:00 PM

The shaCk: Movie PReMieRe nighT () 2D Wilton, NY 12866 3065 Route 50, Wilton

Deadbeats & Friends, 9:30 pm @ Putnam Den — 584-8066

Logan (R) 2D

Josh Abbott Band, 8 pm @ Upstate Concert Hall — 371-0012

a CuRe foR WeLLness (R) 2D fisT fighT (R) 2D

(518) 306-4205 02/24/17-03/02/17

Thu: 7:00, 10:00

(518) 306-4707 02/24/17-03/02/17 Thu: 7:00, 10:00 fRi - WeD: 6:30, 9:50 fRi - sun: 10:50 aM, 1:10, 4:00, 6:40, 9:40 Mon - Thu: 1:10, 4:00, 6:40, 9:40

fifTy shaDes DaRkeR (R) 2D

fRi - sun: 10:40 aM, 1:30, 4:20, 7:10, 10:10 Mon - Thu: 1:30, 4:20, 7:10, 10:10

Dylan Perrillo Orchestra, 7 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583-0022

John WiCk: ChaPTeR 2 (R) 2D

fRi - sun: 10:30 aM, 1:40, 4:50, 7:40, 10:30 Mon - Thu: 1:40, 4:50, 7:40, 10:30

Spirit Connection with Suzane Northrop, 2 pm

The Lego BaTMan Movie (Pg) 2D

sunday, 2/26:

fRi - sun: 10:10 aM, 11:10 aM, 12:50, 1:50, 3:30, 4:30, 7:20, 10:00 Mon - Thu: 12:50, 1:50, 3:30, 4:30, 7:20, 10:00

32 It’s where NEED to be.

YOU

Publication Day: Friday

Ad Copy Due: Wednesday, noon

Space Reservation Due: Monday, 5 p.m.

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE

classified@saratogapublishing.com

Call (518) 581-2480 x204

Pick Me Up

At Your Local

As Local As It Gets!

(518) 581-2480 FOR RENT

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

33

CLASSIFIED

It’s where NEED to be.

YOU

MARKETPLACE

Publication Day: Friday

Ad Copy Due:

classified@saratogapublishing.com

Wednesday, noon

Space Reservation Due:

Call (518) 581-2480 x204

Monday, 5 p.m.

HELP WANTED Busy doctor’s office looking to fill p/t nurse position. Send resume to dianna@northcountryent.com 587-6610

AIRLINE CAREERS Start Here -Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM for free information 866-296-7094

DONATE YOUR CAR

Wheels For Wishes Benefiting

*Free Vehicle/Boat Pickup ANYWHERE *We Accept All Vehicles Running or Not *Fully Tax Deductible

Make-A-Wish® Northeast New York

WheelsForWishes.org Call: (518) 650-1110 * Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Wheels For Wishes. To learn more about our programs or financial information, visit www.wheelsforwishes.org.

ESTATE SALE

AUTO DONATIONS

DIVORCE

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Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 518-650-1110 Today!

DIVORCE $349 - Uncontested divorce papers prepared. Only one signature required. Poor person Application included if applicable. Separation agreements Custody and support petitions. - 518-274-0380

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CAREER TRAINING Medical Billing and Coding Career Training at Sullivan and Cogliano Training Centers Call 1-888-535-9909 or click learn.sctrain.edu Financial Aid Available to those who qualify. sctrain.edu/disclosures

MISCELLANEOUS SAWMILLS from only $4397.00MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N

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Inspections: Fri. Feb 24th & Mon. Feb. 27th 10 AM - 12 PM Bids Close: ONLINE ONLY: Thurs. March 2nd 11:00 AM

CollarCityAuctions.com (518) 895-8150

Broker Participation Invited. Call for Details

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

SPORTS 35

Saratoga Winter Club Crowns 6 National Champs

by Norra Reyes Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — Paul Ripchik, president of the Saratoga Winter Club (SWC), could not be more proud of the achievements of the club’s speedskaters this year, who’ve just returned from two weekends of speedskating in Lake Placid.

“The club dominated the Empire State Games, winning a bucket full of medals,” said Ripchik. And the weekend of February 11, the club sent 16 athletes to compete in the U.S. Speedskating Long Track Age Group National Championships.

“We crowned 7 national champions and other distance medals, along with the club winning the overall National Club Championship,” added Ripchik.

Ripchik’s son, Spencer, a Saratoga Springs High School freshman, has been speedskating since he was 5 years old. He placed 5th overall out of 12 at Nationals, earning 3 gold medals.

His 7th grade sister, Ellie, earned 2 golds.

“I like going fast,” he said.

“My fastest 500-meter time is 47 seconds. I’ve competed in short track in Nationals before, but this was my first at the long track. You might not be good at first, but stick with it because you get better over time, and especially with our coaches in the winter club.”

There are two Olympians coaching in the Saratoga Winter Club, and the team helps each

other out, too.

Albert Zhong, 17, of Guilderland High School finished first in all five distances he raced, and is a national champion in his age group. He’s been skating for 10 years.

“I’m hoping to go to Junior World Trials next year and try to make the world championship team, and represent the U.S.,” he said. “My personal best in the 1,500 meters was 2 minutes, 18 seconds.”

He said he has moved a few times and that switching coaches had been a challenge because they have different teaching styles.

“I’ve been here at Winter Club for 6 or 7 years, and the coaches at this club are excellent. Having the same coach over the years is great because they get to know how you skate and what you need to do to improve.” Ripchik says the club is a hotbed of speedskating in the northeast. “We’ve had between 15-16 Olympians out of the club, skating right here down at Weibel Avenue,” he said.

“We definitely have five vying for an Olympic spot out of our club.

There’s a really good chance of two or maybe three qualifying in December 2017 and January 2018.

The club set our sights on sending as many as we could to nationals, and they far exceeded my expectations. They outpointed the next team by about 25 points. It was a great weekend, great camaraderie, beautiful weather, and the overall spirit of the winter sport of speedskating was definitely there.”

Spencer Ripchik, a freshman at Saratoga Springs High School, leads the pack in this race at the U.S. Speedskating Long Track Age Group National Championships Feb. 11 and 12 in Lake Placid. Photo provided.

Long Track Nationals Lake Placid Results February 11-12 Age Group National Champions from SWC Trevor Marsiciano (2010 Olympian and Silver Medalist), Senior Division, Ballston Spa Chris LaPointe, 30-39 age, Greenwich Rebecca Simmons, Senior Female, Averill Park Jennifer Kirsch, 30-39 Female, Coxsackie Marty Haire, 50-59, Quaker Springs Amy Peterson-Peck (5 Time Olympian- Carried US Flag into opening ceremony in 2002), 40-49 age, Schuylerville Albert Zhong, Jr B Division Male, Guilderland

Saratoga Winter Club member and national champion Albert Zhong, 17, finished first in all five distances. Photo provided.

2017 Empire State Games Lake Placid NY Feb 3-5 Local Medalist Zayda Greczkowski Pre-Scholastic B-4 Silver, 2 Bronze (Saratoga) Hannah King Pre-Scholastic B - 1 Gold, 2 Bronze (Schuylerville) Ellie Ripchik Pre-Scholastic A - 2 Gold, 5 Silver (Saratoga) Spencer Ripchik Scholastic B - 3 Gold (Saratoga) Santiago Hurtado Scholastic B - 3 Silver (Clifton Park)

Natalie Hurtado Pre - Scholastic A - 5 Gold, 2 Silver (Clifton Park) Hanson Peck Pre-Scholastic B - 2 Gold, 4 Silver Sarah Walton Masters Women - 1 Silver, 1 Bronze (Schuylerville) Trevor Marsiciano Open Men - 3 gold (Ballston Spa) Mark Yanigihara Masters Men - 3 Gold (Ballston Spa)

36

SPORT BRIEFS

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Ice Fishing Conditions Decline

by Thomas Kika Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA COUNTY — Ice fishing conditions on Saratoga Lake and Round Lake are on the decline with recent ice thaws, though they remain mostly safe for anyone remaining on foot.

According to Tim Blodgett, owner of Saratoga Tackle and Archery in Schuylerville, overall conditions in the 2016-2017 season were an improvement over last season, even as things began to warm up in the second week of January.

Blodgett estimates that about eight inches of ice remain on the southern end of Saratoga Lake.

This amount is safe for fishing on foot, but not for snowmobiles or other vehicles. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, around 10 inches of white ice would be considered safe for snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicles, while four inches is the point at which fishers should stay off the ice.

“If you don’t know the conditions,” Blodgett said, “don’t be a pioneer.”

Saratoga Lake had a “good run” this season between Christmas and the second week of January, when warmer weather and water flows into the lake caused the ice to begin thawing.

According to Blodgett, this marks an improvement over the 20152016 season, which was “terrible” on account of warm weather.

The ice fishing season is not likely to stick around much longer, for a few reasons. The last day for fishing of walleyes and pikes, two of the more prominent species in Saratoga Lake and Round Lake, is March 15, due to the start of their spawning seasons.

Also, Blodgett said that the recent stretch of warmer weather in the area is likely to turn people away from ice fishing.

As for the fishing itself, Blodgett was pleased with his results this year. “I was satisfied with my catch,” Blodgett said,

Ice fishermen dot Round Lake. Photo by Larry Goodwin.

referring to walleyes at Saratoga Lake about two weeks ago.

Larry Goodwin contributed to this article.

Division II Sectional Champs: BH-BL Boys Track BURNT HILLS — BALLSTON LAKE – Sunday, February 19 the Burnt Hills – Ballston Lake High School Boys’ and Girls’ Indoor Track teams competed at the Division 2 Sectional Championships at the University of Albany.

The Boys’ team won their 2nd straight Championship and 6th in the last 7 years, scoring 101 points with Columbia finishing in 2nd with 66 points. Winning Individual Sectional Championships were:

Michael Bashant Senior – 1,000m - 2:42.67 Tyler Berg Sophomore – 3,200m - 9:46.70 Tyler Doherty Junior - Triple Jump - 40’ 00.75” 3200m Relay - 8:56.58 Jack Test - Senior Bobby Killeen - Senior Logan Short - Junior Ryan Sheppard - Sophomore The Girls’ team finished in 2nd place for the 2nd year in a row with 94.5 points.

Niskayuna won with 126 points.

Winning Individual Sectional Championships for the girls were: Eva Scott - Senior - Double Winner – 1,500m - 4:53.78; 3,000m - 10:24.38

Rory Graham Sophomore – 1,000m - 3:05.89 800m Relay - 1:50.91 Renee Manosh - Junior Grace Holzman - Junior Raia James - Freshman

Hannah Lewis - 8th Grader The complete official results for the meet, along with the other divisions, can be found at section2harrier.com.

Ticket Sales Open for Inaugural Equestricon™ 2017 SARATOGA SPRINGS — Equestricon, LLC., announced that tickets for its first-ever international horse racing convention, fan festival and trade show go on sale Friday, February 24. Tickets for the historic event will go live and be available for purchase exclusively on the event website, Equestricon.com.

The program schedule for Equestricon™ 2017, which will be held at the Saratoga Springs City Center from August 13-15, includes more than 45 panels, seminars, workshops and events. It is the largest-ever fan event in the history of the racing industry and will include programming geared toward those interested in everything from racing photography and betting to breeding and ownership.

“We feel like we’ve put together the most comprehensive program possible — and we’re still adding more to the schedule,” said Equestricon™ co-founder Justin Nicholson. “This will truly be an unprecedented opportunity for people to immerse themselves, regardless of their particular interest, in this

amazing sport of ours.”

Admission for the two-day Equestricon™ general session (Monday and Tuesday) will include access to the main convention hall, live entertainment, more than 50 vendor booths, on-site networking events, interactive displays, equine artists, racing authors, and an array of educational attractions geared toward fans, horseplayers and stakeholders at every level of the sport.

Attendees interested in registering for a loaded lineup of general session panels and seminars at Equestricon™ will be able to purchase a two-day “Panel Pass”. Panels at Equestricon™ feature some of the most prominent personalities in the industry, and include discussions on aftercare, media, marketing, betting, getting a job in racing, training, ownership, breeding, international perspectives and a lot more.

Ticket add-ons, including an “Autograph Pass”, will give attendees even more access to racing legends like Triple Crown-winning jockeys and Hall of Fame racing personalities. Other add-on events will afford

attendees a chance to participate in exclusive tours of the Fasig-Tipton sales ground, the National Museum of Racing and Hall Fame and to attend a “Fashion Showcase” brunch.

“Whether you’re a casual fan interested in learning more or you’ve been seriously involved in the sport for a long time, you’re going to have a blast and come away with a greater appreciation for racing,” Nicholson said.

The official ticket and panel registration launch will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday.

Equestricon™ is the first-ever international horse racing convention, trade show and fan festival. Founded

by Dan Tordjman, Kathryn Sharp and Justin Nicholson. Equestricon™ is designed to bring the horse racing industry together in an atmosphere of entertainment, engagement and education. The inaugural Equestricon™ will be held at the Saratoga Springs City Center from August 13-15, 2017.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) is the official charity partner of Equestricon™. For more information, please visit Equestricon.com.

38

SPORTS

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

COMMUNITY SPORTS BULLETIN 10-Week Freihofer’s ® Run Training CAPITAL REGION — Online registration for the 39th annual Freihofer’s® Run for Women (Saturday, June 3 at 9 a.m.) — the Capital Region’s premier allwomen’s 5K road race — began Saturday, Feb. 11. To sign up, visit freihofersrun.com. To help participants get in shape for race day, registration is now also underway for the 7th annual Freihofer’s® Training Challenge, which starts Monday, March 20. You can sign up for the 10-week program when you register online for the Freihofer’s Run 5K. Online registration through the 5K registration is the only method of registering for this program. The program, which costs $55 and includes a specific Training Challenge t-shirt, is an enhanced version of the Couch to 5K Running Plan and features beginner, intermediate and advanced options. Locally, it is held through iRunLocal (18 Congress Street, #3, Saratoga Springs) — Thursdays at 6 p.m.

For more information about the 39th annual Freihofer’s® Run for Women, 30th annual Kids’ Run and 7th annual Freihofer’s® Junior 3K Run, visit freihofersrun.com.

Saratoga Rowers Association SARATOGA SPRINGS — Registration for the Saratoga Rowing Association (SRA) Junior Competitive Spring Season is now open for athletes from grades 7-12.

The Spring Season continues into mid-June. For more information, visit www.saratogarowing.com.

Senior Tennis WILTON — The Saratoga– Wilton YMCA is hosting a Senior Tennis Drop-In on Mondays and Wednesdays at 12 p.m. Sign up after 8 a.m. the day of play. Contact the Saratoga-Wilton YMCA for more information at 518-5873708. Ask for Frank Piliere.

Open Gym at Gavin Park SARATOGA SPRINGS — Open gym at Gavin Park runs from 3 5 p.m., Monday through Friday until March 10. Open Gym is free to anyone. Those under 11 years old must have an adult (18 and up) present at all times.

Basketball shooting only permitted. Maximum capacity is limited to 25 participants. For more information, call 518-584-9455.

Center at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue Monday–Friday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday 8a.m. - 7 p.m. or Sunday 12 - 6 p.m. For additional information or to download forms go to SaratogaRec.com. Questions?

Contact us 518-587-3550 x2300 or email recreservations@saratogasprings.org.

H.O.R.S.E Basketball Challenge SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Chamber’s Health & Wellness Council, along with presenting sponsors The Adirondack Trust Company and BlueShield of Northeastern New York, will host its 3rd Annual #HealthySaratoga H.O.R.S.E. Basketball Challenge on Friday, March 10 at the Saratoga Regional YMCA. Challenge 31 other companies to a game of HORSE, while competing against member businesses in a fun, competitive networking environment. Spaces will fill up fast. For more information, visit www.saratoga.org.

Recreation Department Spring Soccer

Golf League Sign-Up’s

SARATOGA SPRINGS — This program is open to children grades Pre K-12 and will run April 22-June 17. Players will be separated by grade and exposed to skill development based on age and skill level. Two volunteer coaches per team are needed at all levels. Early Bird registration is February 6-March 27. Sign up at the Saratoga Springs Recreation

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Lake Golf Club’s Summer League signup’s have been announced.

Monday Senior League runs May 15-August 28; Tee Times starting at 9 a.m.

Limited to 40 players. No golf Memorial Day or 4th of July Weekend.

Monday COED League runs May 15-August 28;

Puzzle solutions from pg. 17 Send your sports stories or briefs to Sports@Saratoga Publishing.com

5:30 p.m. shotgun each week. Limited to 72 players.

No golf Memorial Day or 4th of July Weekend.

Tuesday Ladies League runs May 16-August 29; Tee Times starting at 5 p.m. No golf 4th of July Weekend. Call 518-581-8492 ext.100 to sign up or visit www.saratogalakegolf.com for more information.

Recreation Department Open Ice Rink

Athletic Hall of Fame

Recreation Department Drop-In Sessions

CAPITAL REGION — Hudson Valley Community College is seeking nominations for its 2017 Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony.

Deadline for nominations is Friday, March 31. The 2017 Hall of Fame ceremony will take place in the fall of 2017 in conjunction with Homecoming, which will be announced at a later date.

Members of the campus community are invited to submit nominations for former athletes, coaches, teams or an associate member, administrator or contributor who have made extraordinary contributions to Hudson Valley Community College through intercollegiate athletics. Visit http:// w w w. hvc c . e du / at h l e t i c s / hof/nominations.html to fill out the nomination form or contact Justin Hoyt, interim director of athletics, at j.hoyt@hvcc.edu or 518-629-7898.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Join us for skating at the ice rink. Open Public, Open Stick, Open Adult Hockey and Open Figure Skating sessions are offered. Call 518-5873550 x2300, 518-583-3462 or visit SaratogaRec.com and click on the ice skate for the schedule.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Recreation Department offers drop-in sessions in adult basketball, pickleball, racquetball and wallyball.

Visit SaratogaRec.com and click on Rec Center calendar for the latest schedule. For additional information please call 518-587-3550 x2300 or email recreservations@ saratoga-springs.org.

Recreation Department Zumba Fitness Classes SARATOGA SPRINGS — Teens 16 and up and adults are welcome to join. Session and drop-in options available. Sign up at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. or Sunday 12 to 6 p.m.

For additional information or to download forms go to SaratogaRec.com. Contact the Recreation Department at 518587-3550 x2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org.

SPORTS 39

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

Athlete of the Week Blue Streaks’ Zac Zwijacz Heading to States

by Norra Reyes Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — Zac Zwijacz, a junior at Saratoga Springs High School, has been swimming his entire life, joining his first team at the YMCA when he was 5 years old, and he’s been with the Schenectady-Saratoga Sharks ever since. Currently, he is a co-captain on the Blue

Streaks varsity swim team, and he just won sectionals and is heading to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championships March 3 and 4 on Long Island.

Blue Streaks Varsity Swim Team Coach Bill Asay couldn’t be more proud. The coach said the Blue Streaks have a young squad developing day by day, but Zwijacz qualified for the state

Section II Championships - Division 1 - 2/16/2017 to 2/18/2017 Section II Championships Division 1 Team Rankings - Through Event 12 Combined Team Scores Place School Points 1 Shenendehowa SHEN 503 2 Bethlehem Central BC 352 3 Niskayuna NISK 301 4 Shaker SHAK 262 5 Ballston Spa BS

211 6 Saratoga Springs SARA 165 Event 6 Boys 100 Yard Butterfly NYSPHSAA Rec: N 47.76

Section II: S 49.55

Pool: P 49.63

49.23 AA 49.63 POOL pool record 50.15 AC 53.95 NYS Meet Qualifying: 1:11.00 Name Year School A - Final 1 Zac Zwijacz JR Saratoga 23.35 50.10 (26.75) 2 Neil Horne JR Niskayuna 23.13 50.47 (27.34) 3 Ethan Bachert SR Niskayuna 24.79 52.87 (28.08)

2014 Ryan Nicholson, Ithaca 2010 Michael Dugan, Mohon-Schal 2/13/2010 Mike Dugan, Moho-Schal

Prelims

Finals

Points

51.35

50.10 AC

51.26

50.47 NYS

17

53.59

52.87 NYS

16

B - Final 9 James Barno SO Ballston Spa 25.07 55.32 (30.25) 10 Shrujay Rompicherl SO Shenendehowa 26.25 56.78 (30.53) 11 Peter Kirkpatrick JR Shenendehowa 26.44 57.14 (30.70)

20

56.10

55.32

9

56.86

56.78

7

57.34

57.14

6

meet with some of the top times.

At the Section II Championship on Saturday, February 18, at Shenendehowa High School, Zwijacz won the 100 butterfly and made All-American consideration time, just a step below AllAmerican nomination.

“He’s been doing terrifically,” said Asay. “His goal is to get as deep into the state meet as possible. He went 50.1 on the butterfly and would like to get the sectional record of 49.55 seconds for 100 yards.”

Zwijacz also swims the backstroke and freestyle, and is planning on swimming the 200 freestyle at states as well as the butterfly.

“I feel pretty ready,” he said.

“I know it’s more competitive and everyone’s a lot closer – it’s not like two seconds away from each other, everyone’s in that one-second range, very close.”

Zwijacz said his biggest challenge over the years was gaining a work ethic. “It’s something I didn’t have when I was in eighth grade.

When I was a freshman, I had a senior on my team who helped me build a work ethic, Alex Danielson. That’s something Bill said, that you couldn’t be based on raw talent alone, Alex showed it every day, worked hard every day. This year, I really pushed that

Zac Zwijacz and coach Bill Asay. Photo by PhotoAndGraphic.com.

and helped the younger guys on my team realize that as well.”

Zwijacz said he is grateful for the support from his parents and sister, and the family sacrifices so he can get to practice and go to meets.

He’s had a lot of support from his team and friends, too. This is his first year as a team captain, which he shares with co-captains Sam Mastroianni and Nate Marron.

“The team we’re building up, we’re younger but getting a lot better and can definitely expect them to grow in the future. Some of them will make states. We also might send a relay team next year, which is something we’ve never had before so it would be really cool. Even if they are just swimming a 50 or 100, they are still helping the team. And since they are young, they’ll get a taste of what states will be like.”

He’s thinking about majoring in business or management when he heads off to college, but is looking forward to another year with the Blue Streaks.

“I used to be on a baseball team,” he said, “but I quit once I realized that swimming was my main sport. I kind of like the competitive atmosphere, how it’s a personal thing, you see yourself grow but you also see your teammates grow with you, which is really cool.”

His coach is feeling good about next year, too, for the team and for Zwijacz.

“His maturity level over the past two years changed immensely, from young boy to a pretty mature competitor, with high expectational goals that I personally don’t see why they wouldn’t be fulfilled,” Asay said.

Volume 11 • Issue 8

SPORTS

Week of February 24 – March 2, 2017

FREE

Saratoga Winter Club Crowns 6 National Champs

The Saratoga Winter Club displays their U.S. Speedskating Championship banner. Photo provided.

See Page 35.