ST071516

LOCAL • INDEPENDENT • FREE Volume 11 • Issue 28 • July 15 – July 21, 2016

Museum’s New Look

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com • (518) 581-2480

175th Saratoga County Fair

The Children’s Museum at Saratoga will be closed for renovations this summer, as well as installation of innovative new exhibits that promise to wow.

Rendering courtesy of local architect, Victor Cinquino. See Museum’s pg. 12-14

For a moment, think back to 1841.

• There had only been 8 US presidents at that time. By the end of 1841 there would be two more….

• There were only 26 States, with Missouri facing the western frontier.

• Horace Greeley began publishing the New York Tribune.

• The first wagon train arrived in the California territory. ….and in 1841 the Saratoga County Fair was born!

See Fair pg. 12-14

Let’s Get the Party Started!

• 2016 Racing Preview Pages 25-32

• Meet the Trainers Pages 28-29

Child Predator Found Guilty See pg. 8

Inside TODAY Blotter 5

• Meet the Jockeys Pages 30-31

Obituaries 6 Education 21 Business 22-23

• Hats off!

Page 41

Esther, Sarah, Ethan and Isaac of Saratoga Springs know the score: SPAC’s 50th Birthday is just the beginning!

Photo by MarkBolles.com.

The Starting Gate

25-32

Pulse 37-40 Sports 45-48

2

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Man on the Street “If you could eat one meal every single day for the rest of your life, what would it be?”

Asked at the Scholastic Summer Reading Road Trip in Congress Park.

“Sushi!” – Annie Battaglia, from Schenectady

“Pizza.” – Richie Portela, from Raleigh, North Carolina

“Warm crusty bread with good butter and salt and a salad.” – Christa Hyland (right) and Will (left), from Saratoga

“Spaghetti and meatballs.” – Stephanie Barrows (left) and Olivia (right), from Glens Falls

“I prefer porterhouse of human. Bone in, please. Woof!”

– Clifford RedDog, from Dogpatch, USA

“Baked ziti, ‘cause you can change it up!” – Erica Catalano, Education Director at the Children’s Museum, from Saratoga

“Sushi. You can have it in all different varieties.” – Allison Carpenter, from Johnstown

“Buffalo wings.” – Michael Strouse (right), from Lambertville, New Jersey “Sushi.” – Rachel Person (left), from Saratoga

“Clifford’s leftovers.” – Slappy Goosebumps, from Slappyville, USA

“I always say cheese! With tea.”

– Geronimo Stilton, from Hohenwald, Tennessee

NEWS 3

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

July Fun at Moreau Lake State Park

MOREAU — Sometimes, you just got to get away. But sometimes, you can’t venture far. At those times, Moreau Lake State Park is a perfect destination – a natural wonder right here in Saratoga County. And there’s a lot more to do than you think!

- Arthur Gonick Scavenger Hunt July 17 -11a.m.- noon Summer is here and the kids are getting antsy. Please come and enjoy a fun scavenger hunt organized by our Park Educator.

Reservations are required with 24 hours advance notice.

Compass Course July 18 - 10-11 a.m.

Come down to the Nature Center and learn the basics of using a compass and then try your new skills out with some fun games.

Max 6 people, reservations are required with 24 hours advanced notice.

Learn to Fish from Shore July 19- 9-10:30 a.m.

Join a seasoned fisherman for a lesson on lakeshore fishing. You will learn some fun and easy tricks of the trade and perhaps even reel in the big one. No equipment necessary, fishing licenses required for all adults 16 years of age and older. Max 5 people, reservations are required with 24 hours advanced notice.

Inclusive Nature Class July 19 - 4 p.m.

This is a new class being offered at Moreau Lake State Park.

Our Park Educator is working directly with a professional with 25 years of experience in teaching at one of our local schools. This

class is geared directly towards school-aged children who have IDD, are on the spectrum or have an IEP. Class will consist of a 10-15 minute presentation with many visual aids and then we will head out on a trail walk, which will last about 40 minutes, to continue our learning. Each class participant must have an adult with them and family members or siblings are welcome to attend. Class spaces are limited and registration is necessary. Call Rebecca at 518-793-0511.

Full Moon Walk July 19 - 8-9:30 p.m.

Our Park Educator will be leading this month’s Full Moon Hike. While walking around the lake we will point out flora and fauna as the sun is setting and the moon is rising. Full moon hikes are $3 per person, call for reservations 793-0511.

Fishing Trip with Gary July 20 - 9 a.m.-noon Learn from the best… and sign up to fish with Gary. Gary has been fishing his whole life and wants to pass on some special knowledge. He knows every inch of Moreau Lake and if you are lucky he’ll share some fishing hot spots! Only 2 seats are available in his boat for these special adventures. Call to reserve one.

Fish Fillet Demo July 20 - 1 p.m.

Ever wonder how to perfectly filet a freshly caught fish? Come and have a lesson from the Park Naturalist, who has mastered the skill. No reservation necessary.

Moreau Lake Bike Ride July 21 - 10 a.m.- noon Some environmental education with a twist, this class will be taught while riding bikes. This ride will be a few miles in distance and will be fun for adults, teens and grade school kids. You must bring your own bike and helmet.

Reservations are required with 24 hours advanced notice.

Moreau Lake Fishing Trip July 22 - 9 a.m. - noon Learn from the best… and sign up to fish with Gary. Gary has been fishing his whole life and wants to pass on some special knowledge.

He knows every inch of Moreau Lake and if you are lucky he’ll share some fishing hot spots! Only 2 seats are available in his boat for these special adventures. Please call to reserve one, 793-0511.

Fish Fillet Demo July 22 - 1 p.m.

No reservation necessary.

Programs are weather permitting and are subject to change.

Please call the park office to confirm event date, time and location.

Participants should be prepared to spend time outside and are encouraged to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. There are program fees with all classes, please ask for the price when registering for each class.

Reservations are required with 24 hours advanced notice.

Moreau Lake State Park is located off of Exit 17 S of I-87, the Adirondack Northway. For additional information or to register for programs, please call the park office at (518) 793-0511.

4

WEEK IN REVIEW

GOP Chairman Stepping Down SARATOGA COUNTY — John Herrick, chairman of the Saratoga County Republican Party, stated at the executive committee meeting on Thursday, July 7 that he will not be seeking another term in September.

Herrick has previously served as the vice chairman for the Saratoga Springs and the Stillwater Republican Committee and the Stillwater mayor,

deputy mayor and village trustee. He has said that he is unsure of his future plans; however he has considered a run for political office. Herrick will be attending the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Monday, July 18 and has set the September 30 date of the committee’s organizational meeting where officials will be elected for the next two years.

Mechanicville Residents to Limit Water Usage MECHANICVILLE — Officials have requested that Mechanicville residents limit their outdoor watering to every other day from Monday, July 18 to Friday, September 30. Those living at even

numbered addresses may water on even-numbered days. Those living at odd numbered addresses may water on odd numbered days. The city also requests that all outside districts comply as well.

Teenager Drowns in Hudson River STILLWATER — A teenage boy has drowned in the Hudson River Tuesday, July 12. Police say a group of teenagers were jumping from a concrete pad under the bridge on Stillwater Bridge Road into the Hudson River when 15-year old Walter R. Craft of Stillwater went under

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the water and could not be located. The Saratoga County Sheriff ’s Dive Team recovered the boy under the water, deceased. Saratoga County Sheriff ’s Deputies and Stillwater Town Police were assisted at the scene by state troopers and multiple fire departments.

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Stress is Less in Saratoga Springs

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Saratoga Springs has been rated as one of the least-stressed places in New York State by career resource website Zippia. The website examined 170 municipalities with populations greater than 5,000 through

2010-14 U.S. Census data. They studied population, commuting distance, hours worked, rents, unemployment rates, and lack of health insurance. Manorhaven on Long Island ranked number 1 with the most stress. Saratoga Springs

Smart Cities Explored at City Center

SARATOGA SPRINGS — IgniteU NY, established by the New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC) in 2015, hosted the Smart City Forum and Showcase at the Saratoga Springs City Center on Thursday, July 14. The event joined entrepreneurs and other leaders in business, education and government to discuss information connectivity; data gathering; and innovative

approaches for cities to operate more efficiently and improve overall quality of life. Presenters at the event included National Grid, Cisco Systems, EMC and Pitney Bowes. Calix, eX2, Hudson Valley Wireless, FirstLight Fiber and PrimeLink were also featured in a broadband panel. The evening startup showcase included presentations from ParqMi and Apcera. The showcase was part of the

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Saratoga Smart City Project, fronted

by Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan with a goal of helping to leverage existing broadband infrastructure and funding streams to foster sustainable economic growth and enhance the quality of life for Saratoga residents.

The project is led by both the Smart City Commission and NYSTEC.

Downton Walk Approved by ZBA

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The zoning board of appeals in Saratoga Springs has voted in favor of the construction of the Downton Walk. The vote came to 5-2 on Monday, July 11 in approval of the development of

seven condominium homes at 27 Jumel Place by Witt Construction.

Many residents have attempted to convince the construction company to shut down the project or reconsider its development. A group of these residents

approached the board in May and appealed the construction, requesting that it be built as five subdivided homes rather than seven individual condominiums.

This appeal, however, was denied by the zoning board.

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ranked towards the bottom of the list at 159, making it one of the least-stressed places in the state, with Horseheads (between the Finger Lakes and Pennsylvania) winning the least-stressful place in New York.

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BLOTTER 5

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

COURTS: Bradley J. VanDusen, 52, was sentenced on Wednesday, July 6 to two to four years in prison, after pleading guilty to the felony charge of robbery in the third degree.

Ryan D. Critcher, 26, of Schuylerville was sentenced on Wednesday, July 6 to one year in prison and one year of post-release supervision, after pleading guilty to the felony charge of attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Michael T. Jackson, 38, of Saratoga Springs was sentenced on Wednesday, July 6 to one year in jail on each charge to run consecutively, after pleading guilty to the felony charge of attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree and the misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest.

John C. Becker, 34, of Troy was sentenced on Wednesday, July 6 to one and a half years in prison and one year of post-release supervision, after pleading guilty to the felony charge of attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

Korey R. Wojtowecz, 26, of Rock City Falls was sentenced on Wednesday, July 6 to time served and five years of probation, after pleading guilty to the felony charge of driving while intoxicated.

Jacqueline M. Jordan, 53, of Halfmoon was sentenced on Thursday, July 7 to five days in jail and five years of probation, after pleading guilty to the felony charge of driving while intoxicated.

Jessica D. Walerstein, 36, of Ballston Spa pled on Thursday, July 7 to the felony charge of driving while intoxicated. Sentencing is scheduled for August 25.

James M. McCants, 47, of New York pled on Friday, July 8 to the felony charge of attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 9.

Jerry Russell Johnson, 31, of Cincinnati, OH pled on Friday, July 8 to the felony charge of attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree. Sentencing is scheduled for September 9.

Rene K. Cogovan, 52, of Saratoga Springs pled on Friday, July 8 to the felony charge of attempted

Phish Weekend Arrests SARATOGA SPRINGS — The band Phish performed at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center from Friday, July 1 to Sunday, July 3, drawing in a large crowd that is historically known to bring in illegal drugs. The Saratoga Springs Police Department, the Saratoga County Sheriff ’s Office and the New York State Police worked to maintain a strong law enforcement presence throughout the weekend. There were over 26 arrests made over the course of the three days, many of which were in relation to illegal narcotics. The drugs that authorities came across included marijuana, cocaine, heroin, Ecstasy, LSD, bath salts, Rohypnol and several others. Many of these arrests were conducted during traffic stops.

Undercover officers also worked to arrest those attempting to sell the drugs.

An attendee of the concert passed away in her hotel room on Monday, July 4. Saratoga Springs Police Officers were called to a scene at the Courtyard Marriott in Saratoga Springs where they found that Kellie Goff, 38, of Linwood, PA passed away overnight while staying in a hotel room with three of her friends. Another one of the friends, a 37-year old male from Jersey City, NJ was found to be in need of medical attention. He was transported to Saratoga Hospital, but was later taken to Albany Medical Center for further medical assistance.

The other occupant of the room, a 36-year old female from Stowe, VT had no medical issues. Police do not suspect foul play, however the events may have been related to the ingestion of substances. The male has since been released from Albany Medical Center.

assault in the second degree.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 9.

Leslie A. Arone, 48, of Lake George was sentenced on Friday, July 8 to five years of probation, after pleading guilty to the felony charge of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree.

ARRESTS: Joshua O. Shortte, 20, of Gansevoort was arrested on Wednesday, July 6 and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree and one equipment violation.

Thomas C. Robbins, 59, of Saratoga Springs was arrested on Thursday, July 7 and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree.

Daniel J. Tallman, 26, of Saratoga Springs was arrested on Thursday, July 7 and charged with public lewdness.

Patricia L. Lundren, 26, of Clifton

Park was arrested on Thursday, July 7 and charged with trespass.

Richard T. Salisbury, 20, of Saratoga Springs was arrested on Friday, July 8 and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree, unlawful possession of marijuana, the traffic violations of operating an unregistered motor vehicle on the highway and no/expired insurance, and one equipment violation.

Shari B. Marrone, 43, of Broadalbin was arrested on Friday, July 8 and charged with criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.

Sekou J. Smith, 25, of Saratoga Springs was arrested on Friday, July 8 and charged with the felony charge of burglary in the second degree and two counts of the misdemeanor charge of assault in the third degree.

Reesa M. Harrell, 21, of Albany was arrested on Saturday, July 9

and charged with driving while intoxicated, driving with a BAC more than .08 of .1 percent and the traffic violation of failure to signal a turn.

Paul A. Wolpert, 31, of Athens was arrested on Saturday, July 9 and charged with criminal trespass in the third degree.

Brad W. Fisher, 35, of Saratoga Springs was arrested on Sunday, July 10 and charged with trespass.

Michael A. McLeary, 29, of Saratoga Springs and Antonio L. Lowe, 30, of Saratoga Springs were arrested on Monday, July 11.

McLeary was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving with a BAC more than .08 of .1 percent and the traffic violation of failure to stop at a stop sign.

Lowe was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Shakema D. Wilmont, 25, of Amsterdam was arrested on Monday, July 11 and charged with assault in the third degree and the felony charge of criminal mischief in the third degree.

6

OBITUARIES

Christopher R. Meyer

Mary Ellen Del Vecchio

NORTHUMBERLAND — Christopher R. Meyer, age 28, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday July 9, 2016.

He was born on December 28, 1987 in Oregon, Ohio to Chris Meyer and Flora Kapp Garrett.

He grew up in Saratoga Springs and graduated from Saratoga Springs High School.

Funeral services for Christopher were held on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave. (Route 9/Marion Ave), Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 where friends and family may call from 6 – 8 p.m., on Tuesday July 12, 2016.

If you wish to express your online condolences or view the obituary, please visit our website at www.

CompassionateFuneralCare.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mary Ellen “Mary Lou” (George) Del Vecchio, of West Circular Street, died unexpectedly at home, on Monday, July 11, 2016 at the age of 89 years young.

Relatives and friends gathered to pay their respects on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at the William J. Burke and Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. A Mass of Christian Burial followed at the Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway in Saratoga Springs; burial was in the family plot at St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave., also in Saratoga Springs.

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

Joseph N. Corsale SARATOGA SPRINGS — Joseph N. Corsale, Jr., died peacefully, with his beloved family by his side, on Friday, July 8, 2016 at Saratoga Hospital.

Born in Saratoga Springs, he was the son of the late Joseph Corsale, Sr. and Angeline Marcantonio Corsale. After graduation from Saratoga Springs High School, he continued his education beginning with his attending Western Kentucky University.

Friends and relatives gathered to remember him on Monday, July 11, 2016 at the William J. Burke and Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, July 12 in the historic Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway in Saratoga Springs by the Rev. Thomas H. Chevalier, pastor. Burial followed in St. Peter’s Cemetery, also in Saratoga Springs. Memorials may be made in his name to a charity of one’s choice.

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

Mildred Whaley MOREAU — Former West Canada Valley art teacher Mildred Whaley passed away peacefully at the Home of the Good Shepard in Moreau on July 10, 2016. She was 102 years old.

Born on November 9, 1913 in LeRoy, NY, she was the daughter of the late Mary Belle and Claude Whiting.

The family would like to thank Mildred’s loving caregivers at the Home of the Good Shepard, as well as the many loyal friends from Middleville and Newport who traveled regularly to see her. If you would like to share a life story about Mildred, you may do so at www.autenrithfuneral.com.

Memorial donations can be made in her memory to the Kuyahoora Valley Rotary Club’s Arthur Whaley Academic Achievement Award, West Canada Valley Central School District, 5447 State Route 28, Newport, NY 13416.

Michael Wayne Willard GREENFIELD CENTER – Michael Wayne Willard, 67, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, July 12, 2016.

Michael was born on June 14, 1949 in Corinth. He was the son of the late Oscar and Margaret Truelove Willard. He married Cheri Sadlon on September 3, 1977 and they lived in Greenfield Center.

There were no calling hours. Services will be private at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke and Sons/Bussing and Cunniff

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016 Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Online remembrances may be made at www. burkefuneralhome.com

Joan Yolanda (Sirovica) Kindl SARATOGA SPRINGS — Joan Yolanda (Sirovica) Kindl passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at The Home of the Good Shepherd from congestive heart failure. She was 84.

Born on October 7, 1931 in Gloversville, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Josephine (Basic) Sirovica. Joan graduated from Gloversville High School in 1950 and SUNY Cobleskill Institute of Agriculture and Home Economics in 1952. Following her graduation, she moved to California for a short time, working as a telephone operator. On August 28, 1954, Joan married Robert J. Kindl at St. Francis De Sales Church in Gloversville.

Joan is predeceased by her husband, her son Robert, brothers Paul, Charles, and Frank, and sisters Anna Sirovica and Irene Ermie.

There will be no calling hours. A private service for both Joan and Bob will be held at the Saratoga National Cemetery.

Charitable gifts may be made in her memory to Hospice.

Angelina Valenti SARATOGA SPRINGS — Angelina Valenti, 93, a longtime resident of Ballston Spa, who spent the last years of her life at the Wesley Health Care Center in Saratoga Springs, passed away on the morning of July 10, 2016.

She was born on January 22, 1923 in Brooklyn, the daughter of Alphonse and Annunziata Inserra. Angelina was married to her husband, Dominic Valenti, for 53 years, until his death in 1997.

A Mass of the celebration of her life will be held on Friday, July 15, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ballston Spa at 10:30 a.m., with internment at St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Avenue, Saratoga Springs, directly after Mass.

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

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

7

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

You Go Greta!

Happy 20th Silks & Satins!

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Silks & Satins 5K on Saturday, July 23, will mark 20 years of this ‘fast and flat’ road race held on the opening weekend of the thoroughbred racing season. The race benefits Special Olympics New York. Registration is $25 through July 22 at www.silksandsatins5k. com; on site registration the day of the race is $30. The race starts at 8 a.m. at 415 East Avenue in

Saratoga Springs at the FasigTipton Pavilions, with the course passing through the East Side residential neighborhood.

For most of the past two decades, this event was managed

by Special Olympics New York in conjunction with Jeff Clark, a local volunteer whose passing in 2014 left a large void in the race organization. Over the past two years, Firecracker 4 race directors

Bob Vanderminden and Peter Goutos have worked with the Special Olympics staff to get the race back “on track.” With some course modifications and a new finish area with a festive, tightknit atmosphere, and continued support from the Saratoga Stryders running club and community sponsors, last year”s race boasted 1,028 finishers, an increase from previous years.

Rolling Home to You! Railroads and Trolleys in Saratoga Springs

MALTA — BUZZ-ratulations are in order! Meet Greta Gottmann, is 14-year-old student from Ballston Spa High school. She ran in the USATF regional Track and field championships and qualified for nationals in the

400-meter hurdles, which takes place in Sacramento, California.

Greta runs for the Spa City Running Club. Check it out at spacityrunners.org – thanks to one proud set of parents who shared the great news!

“Horses!” Art Show and Sale at Brookside Museum

BALLSTON SPA — Need a new equine original or print for your home? Look no further. Four powerhouse equine artists Sharon Castro, Sue Clark, Sharon Crute and Connie Bush, will be

exhibiting their outstanding equine artwork at the “HORSES!” Art Show and Sale, through September 2, at the Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton Street, in Ballston Spa. An artist reception is Friday, July 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. - Mark Munzert, Cowboy Poet and Master Storyteller, will be entertaining.

Art Voice owner Tina Rodriguez will offer face painting on the porch for the kids.

An Isabella decorated horseshoe will be raffled to a lucky visitor at the July 29th reception.

Refreshments will be served. Call the museum at 518885-4000 for more information or visit brooksidemuseum.org. Photo

by Sharon Castro

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Thursday, July 21 at 7 p.m. in the Canfield Casino in Congress Park the Saratoga Springs History Museum will present Railroads and Trolleys in Saratoga Springs by Gino DiCarlo as part of the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust Program Series.

Gino DiCarlo is an author, photographer and adjunct lecturer in Transportation

History at Hudson Valley Community College and SUNY Adirondack.

Gino totally immersed himself into the City’s rich railroad history. Gino grew up riding the bus-lines that ran along the former trolleyroutes. Gino is the author of Trolleys of the Capital District, a historical perspective on the trolley systems that once canvassed the Capital District. His

next book will feature the history of the Saratoga and Mount McGregor Railroad. Gino has also had photographs featured in 4 different occasions in Railpace Magazine.

The History Museum is located in the Canfield Casino and is open Daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit saratogahistory.org or call 518-584-6920.

8

NEWS

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Child Predator Gannon Convicted Justice Prevails for Courageous Young Victims

by Norra Reyes Saratoga TODAY BALLSTON SPA — Grown men have been known to tremble in the witness chair, so you can imagine what it must be like for a child to describe a crime in a room full of adults. Two girls did just that, ending their nightmare by helping to close an investigation into six years of sexual assault against them.

After a seven-week trial, Arthur Gannon, 48, of Corinth has been convicted of five counts of predatory sexual assault on children, including Class A2 felonies; the only higher level would be murder or kidnapping.

The announcement came on Thursday, July 7, from Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen, shortly after the jury began and concluded its deliberations and reached the verdict that day.

Heggen noted the extraordinary efforts of all involved in this case. “This case started with two brave young women coming forward to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department to report the horrific and repeated abuse they suffered.

These young ladies demonstrated courage in facing the defendant Arthur Gannon in court, where they recounted the numerous crimes he committed against them. The jury’s verdict says that the jury believed the frightening details they testified about. It said to these victims that what happened to them was wrong and that Arthur Gannon is held accountable for his criminal actions.”

The charges in the indictment stem from Gannon’s actions in the Town of Corinth, Saratoga County, from June 2009 through June 2015.

His arrest in July 2015 alleged that he and his wife, Heidi L. Gannon, 40, subjected two young girls to repeated

sexual abuse, restraining the children against their will, forcing them to perform or engage in sexual acts, photographing them in the process.

The girls are relatives of Gannon, but their names are being withheld to protect their privacy. They and two other children in the Corinth home were put in the care of family members.

Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo had nothing but praise for his two investigators, Curtis Brand and Roger Zalucky, and for the district attorney’s office for bringing the case to closure. “It was a team effort and I’m glad the end result was a conviction.”

“Justice was served for these victims,” said Deborah Tomaso, executive director of Saratoga Center for the Family. “When justice is served, it comes about through the work and perseverance of many agencies. We were happy to be a part of that process.”

Heggen also commended the efforts of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department. “From the day this case was reported to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, the members of that department have worked tirelessly in assembling a thorough, detailed and complete case. The case investigation presented to my office allowed Assistant District Attorney Schettino to assemble a solid and cohesive case for the jury. ADA Michelle Schettino demonstrated each and every day during trial that her trial preparation and collaboration with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department brought a full and comprehensive presentation of all of the facts and evidence for the jury to review and consider. Her dedication to this case was extraordinary.”

Schettino’s successful completion of that work was greatly

The interview rooms at the Saratoga Center for the Family are designed to help children feel comfortable in their surroundings as they talk with investigators about a crime. Photo provided.

Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo, speaking at a Saratoga Center for the Family observance of the start of National Child Abuse Prevention month in April, urges people who suspect child abuse or neglect to report it. The hotline is 1-800342-3720. Visit saratogacff.org to learn more. Photo by Eric Jenks.

reinforced by the two children coming forward, and fortunately, the support available for child victims to enable them to come forward is excellent in Saratoga County.

Zurlo spoke of the ongoing training investigators receive for interview techniques with children and victims of child sexual abuse. The Saratoga Center for the Family assists in that training, and investigators meet there once a month to review cases and critique different scenarios to perfect their work on behalf of the victims and their families.

“From the minute this is reported to the members of law enforcement,” said Heggen, “they really follow through in so many ways that make a huge difference for all the victims in many cases involving young victims of sexual abuse, utilizing victims services including places like the Saratoga Center for the Family, such a valuable place to access information and to provide ongoing support, even after the case ends, because victims’ lives go on.”

Zurlo said his office deals closely with the Center for the Family. “It’s a tribute to law enforcement to have the Center in the county,” he said, “with interview rooms where we can sit with a child away from our building to find out what took place.”

The Saratoga Center for the Family, located at 359 Ballston Avenue in Saratoga Springs, provides child victims advocacy services that range from providing support in the

courtroom for victims and their families to connecting them with additional services such as mental health counseling or medical services they might need, and more.

Tomaso, said, “The work we do is very sensitive. Our child advocacy center is a child-friendly location for the investigation of alleged child abuse and neglect. It’s where law enforcement and child protective services can interview the child in a warm, child-friendly environment.

We are all on the same page, one big team working together, which is about protecting the children and the families as well.”

Heggen added that these kinds of crimes happen more frequently than the public may realize, and appreciates organizations like the Center because some victims don’t report to the police, but will still step forward to use the services these organizations provide and seek healing.

“We live differently here [in a district attorney’s office], and know that there are people who pray upon vulnerable and innocent victims such as these,” said Heggen. “I’m fortune to have a very committed and dedicated team that primarily focuses on prosecuting with great compassion, dedication and very good results.”

“The perception is Saratoga County is an affluent community and things like this don’t happen here,” said Tomaso, “but knowing the services we provide at the Center, we can tell you it most definitely happens.”

Specifically, Gannon was convicted of five counts of Predatory Sexual Assault, Class A-II felonies, in violation of Penal Law Sections 130.95(2); 130.95(3) and130.96 (different theories); one count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, a Class C Felony, in violation of Penal Law Section 263.05; two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D Felony, in violation of Penal Law Section 130.65(2), and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A Misdemeanor, in violation of Penal Law Section 260.10(1). The jury returned a guilty verdict on all ten of the charges that were submitted to them.

The top counts of the indictment, Class A-II felony charges, carry a maximum sentence of twenty-five years to life in prison, with the possibility for consecutive sentences. The trial was held before Saratoga County Court Judge James A. Murphy, III. The case was investigated by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Michele Schettino and Alan M. Poremba.

ADA Schettino called twenty witnesses, including the two victims, who bravely faced the defendant in court to testify.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 7 at 9:30 a.m. Gannon faces the potential of consecutive sentences that could total more than 50 years to life.

NEWS 9

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

by Norra Reyes Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Children’s Museum at Saratoga at 69 Caroline Street will be closed for renovations beginning Monday, July 18, for most of the summer, but according to Executive Director Michelle Smith, the results will be “phenomenal.”

The $500,000 project will bring a facelift to the exterior and vestibule, as well as provide new programming space inside, including new exhibits such as the Sensory Integration Room and the Saratoga Springs Rotary Club STEM Room.

In celebration, the museum is holding an Ice Cream Social on Friday, July 15 at 1 p.m. featuring Stewart’s Shops ice cream, activities, and a ground breaking. Museum admission is free immediately following.

The new STEM exhibit will teach children about circuits and technology in a hands-on, entertaining way by building robots with Cubelets. According to the manufacturer, Cubelets are robot blocks that can be combined to build thousands of different robots. No wires, no wrong way to build; just snap the blocks together and discover what robot behaviors emerge, introducing children to robotics, coding, and design thinking.

Another new exhibit involves anatomy and technology.

Sponsored by the Saratoga Springs Lions Club, “Decibel Annie” is a manikin with an earpiece that allows visitors to connect a cell phone or other device to Annie, play music, and measure how loud the music is in decibels. The exhibit will provide information on safety levels and impact to the human ear.

The renovations will also help increase existing programming, such as for the Making Connections program for children on the autism spectrum. “It’s been open once a month for free to children on the autism spectrum and their families,” said Smith. “We’ve seen over a thousand people come through our door for this program alone.”

The museum has received some feedback that the Thursday evening free program is a challenge for families during the school year, so the museum plans to open up a similar program on Sunday mornings.

The Sensory Integration Room exhibit is the creation of a daily-accessible exhibit space for children and

Museum’s New Look Upgrades and New Exhibits Promise to Wow

families on the autism spectrum.

Smith said, “It will allow children every single day to engage in a lot of what we do in Making Connections.

It will engage all of the senses. What the experts say is that children on the spectrum either overreact or don’t react at all to the senses. A room like this – a nonjudgmental, total exploration room where there is no right or wrong – builds self esteem so they aren’t afraid to try things.”

The museum’s program room will also be designed for additional programming on weekends. The museum is open primarily during school hours, and weekend time had been dedicated to private children’s events.

“Birthday parties are a huge source of revenue,” said Smith, “the backbone of keeping the financial stability of the museum. Now can do both, the parties and meeting the programming needs for school age children.”

The museum is seeking additional exhibit sponsorships, such as bringing an interactive map in the facility’s classroom under sponsor support.

“We’d also like to bring in some international language,” said Smith.

“We could use a technology piece in the diner. A child in the diner with a touch screen pad can look at an apple, touch it, and say the word in Italian or Chinese or Spanish. They can see the apple and relate, being in the diner. It’s all through the senses; we all learn through the senses. Then we ask them to create a healthy plate, bringing nutrition into it.”

Smith says the educational

focus of the museum exhibits is all about exposure. Hands-on discovery helps children learn STEM and other teachings through their own curiosity, taking complex subjects and simplifying them so the children can be captivated by it and want to explore more.

“We had time to explore when I was in school,” said Smith. “A sponge doesn’t absorb when it is as hard a as a rock; sometimes the water even repels if we give them knowledge they aren’t ready to handle. What makes a child able to absorb is the ability to experience it, to give them time to be selfguided at their own pace. Today’s schools don’t have time to do that, so we can be a resource to the schools and parents. It’s all about us being able to serve the community in a better way but also in a more elaborate way.”

The capital campaign has been led by Smith and the museum’s board of directors, who are listed on the website. The museum is seeking donations toward the campaign, as well as sponsors for additional new exhibits.

To inquire about sponsorships, call Michelle Smith at 518-584-5540.

As of June 12, the Capital Campaign Donors, with the heartfelt thanks of The Children’s Museum at Saratoga, include: Adirondack Trust Company; Advantage Press; AYCO; Bank of America Foundation; Charles R. Wood Foundation; J.M. McDonald Foundation; Live Oak Foundation; Pioneer Bank; River Farm America Foundation; Saratoga Foundation; Susan and Bill Dake Foundation; The Windhover Foundation; Catseye USA, LLC; Saratoga Springs Rotary; Saratoga

The new Cubelets exhibit will introduce children of all ages to robotics, coding, and design thinking. Image courtesy of Modular Robotics.

Springs Lions Club; M&T Bank; Global Foundries Malta Foundation; Saratoga Casino and Raceway; William Gundry Broughton Foundation; Bender Scientific Fund; D.A. Collins; Bonacio Construction; and several private individual donors.

The museum will be holding “Pop-Up Park Programs” free

and open to the public at various times during the renovations, which will be announced on the website and social media. For more information about the museum and its programs, visit CMSSNY.org or follow them at facebook.com/ ChildrensMuseumAtSaratoga.

10

NEWS

Revolutionary War Army Trades Weekend STILLWATER — From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17, experience Revolutionary War army trades at work at Saratoga National Historical Park (Saratoga Battlefield), located between Routes 4 and 32 in Stillwater.

Armies had a lot more to do than fight in the Revolutionary War. They employed and contracted with a variety of professional tradesmen and women who worked to provide and repair supplies needed by the troops.

Blacksmiths made and repaired ironwork; tailors sewed and fixed clothing; woodworkers built and fixed wheels and artillery

carriages; tinsmiths made artillery cartridge casings; and cordwainers made shoes for the troops.

If you’d like to see how common items were manufactured by hand in 1770’s Revolutionary America, well before the age of industrialization, this is a great opportunity! There is no cost to attend this event, but park entrance fees apply.

For more information on this or other programs at Saratoga National Historical Park, the national park in your backyard, call the visitor center at 518-670-2985 or visit the park website at www. nps.gov/sara follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SaratogaNHP.

Solomon Northup Day SARATOGA SPRINGS — Celebrate Solomon Northup Day on Saturday, July 16 at 11 a.m. at the Saratoga Springs Visitor’s Center at 297 Broadway with Mayor Joanne Yepsen. With Solomon Northup’s narrative as guide, visitors will hear about his life here in Saratoga Springs

between 1834, when he moved here with his family, until that fateful day in 1841 when he was lured away fro the corner of Congress Street and Broadway.

The day publicly acknowledges the contribution of Northup and his powerful narrative, “Twelve Years a Slave.”

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

NYRA’s Community Outreach Booth Lineup SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association, Inc. will host more than 40 local non-profit organizations, schools and PTAs at Saratoga Race Course during the upcoming season, which begins on Friday, July 22 and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 5.

The majority of the nonprofit organizations will be welcomed to the Community Outreach Booth, which is located next to the Jockey Silks Room and across from the Saratoga Walk of Fame. The Community Outreach Booth provides one non-profit organization per day with an exclusive opportunity to interact with the thousands of guests who visit Saratoga Race Course, share information about its work and host fundraising initiatives, which will include autograph sessions, musical performances, and arts and crafts, among other activities.

Additionally, seven area schools will have an opportunity to raise funds during Berkshire Bank Family Mondays throughout the season. Each Monday within the Saratoga Pavilion,

presented by Time Warner Cable News, one school or PTA will serve as the designated beneficiary of a specific activity that will carry a suggested donation.

The New York Racing Association and Berkshire Bank will provide matching grants. All other activities during Berkshire Bank Family Mondays will be free of charge.

The New York Racing Association will host the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) at the Community Outreach Booth on Opening Day, Friday, July 22, in honor of its 50th anniversary season and again on Wednesday, August 10, as SPAC pays tribute to its collaborative partnership with the New York Racing Association by hosting its own “TRACK & SPAC” event with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Other featured organizations will include the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance on Whitney Day, Saturday, August 6 and the Backstretch Employee Service Team on Travers Day, Saturday, August 27. The New York Racing Association will host

the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council (EOC) on Travers Eve, Friday, August 26, for a canned food drive at the Community Outreach Booth.

The following non-profit organizations are scheduled to appear at the Community Outreach Booth at Saratoga Race Course during the 2016 season: The New York Racing Association will welcome the following schools and PTAs to Berkshire Bank Family Mondays: Brown School on July 25; Scotia-Glenville Education Foundation on August 1; Chango Elementary School on August 8; Skano Elementary School on August 15; Stevens Elementary School on August 22; Saratoga Academy on August 29; and Saddlewood Elementary School on September 5.

The 2016 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course begins on Friday, July 22 and concludes on Labor Day, Monday, September 5. For more information about Saratoga Race Course, call 518584-6200 or visit www.nyra.com.

NEWS 11

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Blanket Coverage!

Meet “Sara”!

City Center Sculpture Revealed SARATOGA SPRINGS — That moment – the moment of revelation, followed by delight.

That moment occurred on Wednesday, July 13 at 11a.m. on the corner of Broadway and Ellsworth Jones place, as Saratoga Springs City Center President Mark Baker and Mayor Joanne Yepsen revealed “Sara,” a nine-foot tall stainless steel masterpiece weighing well over a ton! A short time later, photographer Sharon Castro captured a post-ceremony “Sara,” looking like she has been there forever… welcome to the neighborhood!

- Arthur Gonick

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Paint n Sip and Twill presented 100 blankets to Shelters of Saratoga from a recent “paint one, give one” event

held in Saratoga Springs. Left to right: Jer Halloran from Twill, Mike Finocchi from Shelters of Saratoga, and Catherine Hover from Saratoga Paint n Sip.

12

Families

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

TODAY

Blue Ribbon Memories at the 2016 marks the 175th Anniversary of the Saratoga County Agricultural Society, which presents the Saratoga County Fair. Formed in Ballston Spa, NY, in 1841, the SCAS

Photo provided by Michael Noonan

pre-dates most of the Agricultural Fairs in New York State (and the USA), not to mention the Saratoga Racetrack in Saratoga Springs, the American Civil War, and even

Canada becoming a Country!

The Saratoga County Agricultural Society is not an agency of the County of Saratoga, but an organization guided by a

21-member Board of Directors (all volunteer), a few dozen ad-hocs (all volunteer), and a small group of employees that work varying schedules through the year.

The founding fathers of the SCAS represented each Town in Saratoga County, with the first President of the Society being Howell Gardiner of Greenfield.

Gardiner was also a Justice of the Peace for two decades, was elected to the NYS Assembly three times between 1815 and 1831, and he was also a member of the Electoral College, casting his vote for James Monroe to be the 5th US President.

Mr. Gardiner’s involvement in the SCAS set the stage for active involvement by politicians, businessmen, educators, and agriculturalists for now over 17 decades.

Over our first five decades the Fair was hosted by Ballston Spa, Mechanicville, and Saratoga Springs.

One of the two Saratoga City locations, Glen Mitchell, featured its own rail spur and hotel. That location. just off North Broadway in Saratoga Springs. is roughly where the Maple Avenue Middle School is now. Finally settling high above the Village of Ballston Spa in the late 1880’s, we currently own and maintain almost 80 acres of exposition and parking facilities in Saratoga County.

Pivotal names associated with the Fair through its history were also movers and shakers in Saratoga County in general; names like Curtis, Merchant, Wiswall, West, McGregor, Collamer, Batchellor, Kilmer, Ellsworth, Vischer, King, Middlebrook, MacElroy, Assemblyman Droms, and County Supervisor Clements. Looking through the records of Fair you see

names that are recognizable from your everyday contact with roads, landmarks, buildings and destinations all over Saratoga County.

Many businesses and organizations tout their “family like” structure, but in the case of the Saratoga County Fair, involvement in the Fair is a true Family Tradition. Names that have been associated with the Fair for many generations include Merchant, Middlebrook, Curtis, and Armer, just to name a few. Currently, there has been an Armer family member on our board of Directors since the mid 1940’s.

The Saratoga County Agricultural Society is dedicated to not only showcasing the accomplishments of each year’s participants in a wide range of competitions, but also in teaching about the history of Saratoga County, and offering a glimpse forward to its future. One trip to the Fair in July, and you can learn how it was done, how we do it now, and how it will be done in the future; and not just by display, but by the people who did it, do it, and will do it. In a social cli-mate that is more and more focused on what people have, the annual Fair is about what people have accomplished.

Yes, there are rides, games, demo derbies and tractor pulls, kewpie dolls and all that great Fair Food…… but remember when you visit the Saratoga County Fair, that you become part of a tradition that spans over eight generations of Saratoga County families.

Come, enjoy, and share the tradition of celebrating the past, rewarding the accomplishments of the present, and looking into the future, as we have been doing for 175 years!

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Families

13

TODAY

175th Saratoga County Fair

by Megin Potter for Saratoga TODAY After so much effort, the anticipation builds as the searching begins for that small token of promise; that undeniable, distinctive award; an accolade to excellence — a crisp blue ribbon.

In addition to the deep-fried foods, thrilling rides, shows, games and other amusements to be enjoyed at the county fair, there is a rich legacy here — an unparalleled showcase of local accomplishments that are an enduring contribution to the cultural enrichment of the county, its people, and the growth of a vibrant future.

Of Substantial Importance “The improvement of agriculture and domestic animals can go on from year to year for the next hundred years and it is absolutely necessary that they should, if this country means to keep in the front ranks of the great nations of the world…”

These words were printed in 1877. This news clipping and others were gathered together in a paper by Scott Padini covering the history of the Saratoga County Fair, which is celebrating its 175th anniversary of being hosted by the Saratoga County Agricultural Society, SCAS, this year.

For 18 months a committee has been gathering facts about the beloved event, a family tradition that keeps people coming back year after year.

“I’ll see you here again next year,” Jeff Townsend found himself saying as a visitor long before he become the General Manager of the Saratoga County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in 2011. Like for so many others, going to the fair each year was a big deal; an annual reunion with the town’s people, as well as a chance to

experience something new.

Despite the Challenges A lot has changed since the 1841 fair, including the fair itself. In the early years, it was shuffled around between Saratoga, Ballston Spa and Mechanicsville. Held on Caroline Street, near the Harness Track and by where the Maple Avenue School is now, the fair found a permanent home on Prospect Street in Ballston Spa in 1882. Growing in size from 20 acres, the exhibition and parking space now covers a total of 70 acres.

The fair and the other events held on the grounds, which included the World’s Largest Garage Sale (rivalling the title held by the one in Warrensburg each year) attracted 161,000 people to the area in 2015 and generates between $10 and $14 million for the regional economy.

As a non-profit 501c3, one of the fair’s main challenges has always been to keep up with paying the bills, which hasn’t always been easy. In 1895, the grandstand collapsed during the fair and had to be rebuilt; in 1927 the worst weather in 25 years with rain every day; and in 1930 a May fire destroyed the dining hall, restrooms, offices and lighting equipment, which all had to be replaced.

With Grit and Growth As a dedication to their perseverance and continued eye on improvements, 175th anniversary fair mementos were fabricated by woodcarver Tom Hutchinson. These commemorative wooden pens were made from the salvaged posts and beams that had been stored under the grandstand since the 1970 demolition of the 200 ft. long Floral Hall, built before the turn-of-the-century. While some were gifted to town supervisors for their vital role in keeping the fair running each year, the remainders are for sale at the fair office.

Politicians have always played an active part in the fair, both in the

forefront and behind the scenes serving as volunteers on the SCAS board.

The current SCAS president and Town of Ballston councilman Chuck Curtiss has been showing cows there since he was a child, thus lending 50 years of experience to his position.

He will be cutting the 2016 opening day ribbon this year, joined by Tabor Ellsworth, owner of Greenfield’s Forever Farm and the fifth generation grandson to the SCAS’s first president; Howell Gardiner.

“If there’s hands to be shaken, there’s a politician nearby,” commented Townsend about their attraction to the fair and the early practice of politicians as keynote speakers. As people’s temperaments changed, he continued, this ritual fell out of favor.

F o r example, in 1908, an incident recorded as being “unparalleled in the history of the state” took place as the horsemen (who were also the town’s businessmen) angered by then state Governor Charles Evans Hughes’ legislative actions, which they believed to be contrary to their interests, protested his presence by refusing to race. He eventually did leave, but the ripples of their actions left an indelible mark.

A Place of Power Giving every man, woman and child a voice and a place in history is the real magnificence of the county fair. Whether your skill is in raising a prize-winning Holstein, baking a spectacular pie, or building an awesome Lego masterpiece, the fair is the place to be acknowledged for your efforts.

“What we’ve been doing there for 175 years is looking towards the future; showcasing a better way to do things,” said Townsend.

From increasing people’s exposure to new agricultural trends and

procedures, to teaching youngsters that chocolate milk doesn’t come from brown cows, to being at the forefront of new technologies, the fair is, above all, a place of education and learning.

In the last 25 years, the fair’s education department superintendent Sue Leahey has expanded into the 20,000 feet of display space under the grandstand to showcase projects contributed by students in every school in the district.

“In addition to being the largest collection of refrigerator art in the world, there’s some pretty amazing stuff there,” said Townsend.

As a testament to the fair’s ability to incorporate all kinds of interests, new this year, are nationally prominent local teams putting on robotics demonstrations in the Trustco Talent Building.

“People can stop by the fair and see everything from the hand-run butter churn to the latest in robotics – it’s all here,” said Townsend.

If you’d like a chance to shape the Saratoga County Fair and Expo Center in the future, the SCAS is always encouraging new members to join. There is a fee of $10. Call 518885-9701 for more information.

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Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Families

15

TODAY

Helping a Fallen Brother

by Katherine Morna Towne

for Saratoga TODAY Those of you on Facebook are likely familiar with notices like these that pop up every so often when you log in: “Kate, we care about you and the memories you share here. We thought you’d like to look back on this post from [x number of ] years ago.”

For me, most of my old posts are stories about the boys—funny stories or milestones or events. I actually do look forward to seeing what new memory Facebook has selected to remind me of, and a recent one was so sweet (from July 1, 2014, when No. 6 was three months old and No. 4 was four): “No. 4 was outside playing when I put the baby down for a nap upstairs in his cradle.

This is a new thing — the baby has mostly slept on me or in his chair in the kitchen until now — but I’ve been trying to move him toward sleeping upstairs as much as possible both because he’s getting older and will eventually have to nap upstairs anyway and because loud noises often wake him up (not a great trait in this house!).

Just now I saw No. 4 scurrying around the TV room, playroom, and kitchen whispering, “Baby?” I saw him looking first in the baby’s chair in the kitchen, then in his chair in the playroom. Inexplicably I saw him then look behind the big armchair, and then in the TV room where there’s no place for the baby. “Baby?” he kept whispering.

“The baby’s napping upstairs,” I told him. “I put him up there while you were outside.”

Over to the monitor he scurried, and whispered to it, “Baby?” Then he put his hand on the monitor gently and said, “Baby,” before running off to play. Be still my heart.”

So sweet, right?

It reminded me of something I’ve been smiling about lately: moments when my boys actually act like the brothers they are.

My boys fight like wild dogs. Or like mosquitos. If they’re not snarling and snapping and clawing and biting, they’re buzzing and itching and annoying each other.

I’m as likely to hear, “MOM! So-and-so hit me!” as “MOM! So-and-so said my drawing was stupid!” I see boys with their faces contorted by fury and angry tears as they really go at each other, trying to beat the other into a pulp, and I see boys sitting quietly in a chair with a book, apparently behaving, but then I realize they’re relentlessly muttering just loud enough so the boy nearby can hear the insults and be driven completely crazy. I know you all know what I’m talking about.

But sometimes I see them playing together nicely, or treating each other kindly, and I would gladly endure all the brother-fighting for one moment of brother-love.

Such a scene happened just recently, though it started out as a disaster. During the school year, when we’re all walking from the school building to the van, the boys always ask if they can run to the van when we get close enough, and I’m always torn—on the one hand, yes! Go! Run! Stretch your legs and shake off the school day and let your hair down! On the other hand, though: ugh! Because it’s actually just a contest to see who can get to the van first and it’s always accompanied by screaming and tears no matter what happens, and while I have no problem at all with

well-matched competition, big, fast boys versus small, slower boys is not a fair match, and it’s so hard to get them all to understand that (both the big boys, who need to realize they have an advantage the little ones don’t, and the little ones, whose time to be the fastest has not yet come).

This one day, though, they all took off running, as usual, picture of happy boyhood (though I knew differently), and halfway to the van No. 5, who is four, tripped and fell. It was so so sad, because not only was he hurt and crying, but his brothers blew past him, running as fast as they could, which made No. 5 cry even harder, because now he wouldn’t “win.”

Before I could say anything, before I’d even reached No. 5, his brothers had stopped and come running back, helped him up, and hung back while they encouraged him to keep running to get to the van first and be the day’s winner.

Be still my heart.

I find it easy as a mom to worry that the way my boys are in the heat of a scuffle is the way they’ll always be, but honestly, one moment like this restores all my hope. Pitting strength against strength, as when they’re all equally bothering each other, or strength against weakness, as when a bigger boy is bothering his little brother, concerns me quite a bit—it’s a misuse of strength; there’s no way to peace there, and I’m constantly trying to teach them that. But those who are bigger, stronger, and faster watching out for those who are smaller, weaker, and slower? How many of our problems and worries would be solved with more of that?

And we have it in us, America!

I saw the most moving picture in the media coverage of last week’s horrors of people surrounding a baby carriage in protection when the shooting started. That impulse—to protect those who are weaker and more vulnerable with our very lives if need be—is what we need to bottle up and use

to quench our thirst for peace.

So says this mom of a bunch of unruly+wonderful boys, anyway, for what that’s worth.

Happy belated Independence Day to all of you!

Kate and her husband have six sons ages 11, 9, 8, 6, 4, and 2. She can be reached at kmtowne23@gmail.com.

16

Families

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

TODAY

Protective Eyewear for Summer Activities

by Susan E. Halstead for Saratoga TODAY We all know the importance of protecting our eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays, especially in the summer with so much time spent outside under the sun. But to give your eyes proper protection all summer long, sunglasses are just the beginning.

Protective Eyewear If your summer yard work goes beyond basic trimming and gardening, take a cue from professional landscapers and don a pair of protective eyewear. We see many eye injuries caused by weed eaters and similar types of products. Because of the speed and unpredictable trajectory of clippings and debris, it’s a good

idea to wear protective eyewear as a precaution.

That same trajectory risk exists when dealing with fireworks—the cause of thousands of eye-related injuries each year. Wear protective eyewear, keep children at a safe distance, or better yet, skip the personal fireworks and enjoy a professional display from afar.

Polycarbonate or Trivex With more time for play and extracurricular activities, lots of kids are swimming, playing in summer sports leagues, or simply exploring in their backyard. With that extra free time, kids tend to get into all kinds of activities. Proper supervision and prevention is really key.

The best piece of equipment in any of these scenarios is a well-fitting pair of polycarbonate or trivex lenses.

Because polycarbonate is impactresistant, it’s ideal for sports and other high-impact activities. That breakresilient material acts as a shield, protecting eyes from foreign objects and possible puncture wounds.

Trivex is a newer lens material and is typically priced slightly higher than polycarbonate but the optics are significantly better for

most prescriptions.

Eye Irritants Whether hitting the beach, taking a dip in the pool, or roasting marshmallows over the campfire, some of the most fun summer activities are accompanied by unpleasant eye irritations.

Swimmers who wear contact lenses are at the highest risk, because those lenses act like a sponge.

Chlorine and microorganisms in pool water can actually be absorbed by the contact lens, irritating the cornea and even causing painful miniabrasions or infections. The best line of defense is to remove your contacts before getting in the water. If you’re at home under the waves, be sure to wear well-fitting goggles to prevent any leaks from getting in and irritating your eyes.

While smoke won’t do too much damage to healthy individuals, it does contain small micro particles of burned organic matter, which can cause temporary burning and irritation. If you are going to be in that environment, it may be a good idea to bring artificial tears or have eye wash on hand at the very least. Avoid the smoke and sand and flush your eyes as needed.

Buyer Beware Since so many of these summer activities take place outdoors, don’t skimp on sun protection. Not all sunglasses are created equal! Make sure the sunglasses you’re shopping for have lenses that offer full UV protection—not just a tint. Tinted lenses will cause the pupil to dilate and actually allow more harmful light into the eyes than if no glasses are worn at all.

The FDA requires sunglasses to be properly labeled with SPF information. So check the label and choose a pair with 100 percent UVA/UVB protection.

Also look for optical-quality frames. Cheap lenses you find at swap meets or discount stores are sometimes distorted, and can cause headaches or eye strain. Check with your eye care professional for where to obtain the best possible summer eyewear protection.

Susan E. Halstead, ABOC, FNAO is a NYS and Nationally Licensed Optician and owner of Family Vision Care Center on Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs.

Susan can be reached for comments or questions via email info@familyvisioncarecenter.com or by calling (518)584-6111.

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Families

17

TODAY

How to Help Your Children Process Uncomfortable Feelings

by Meghan Lemery Fritz-LCSW-R

for Saratoga TODAY One of the most important things we can teach children is how to process feelings in a healthy way.

Often times if you were raised in a home that avoided any discussion of feelings or you grew up with a parent that was constantly ruled by anxiety and overwhelmed, chances are you too are uncomfortable dealing with anxiety and uncomfortable feelings.

How you help kids navigate uncomfortable feelings can set the stage to promote feelings of security and confidence vs anxiety and fear.

If your child begins to express anxiety do not respond passively with an answer that minimizes their feelings.

For example, if your child says, “I am feeling anxious about making friends this school year, last year was horrible and I know this year is going to be the same.”

A passive response would be: “Don’t worry about that! It’s going to be a great year, your classmates would be lucky to have you as a friend.”

This passive response does not give your child the tools needed to learn how to process an uncomfortable feeling, feel heard, and be proactive about what action they can take to help them feel a sense of control in an anxiety provoking setting.

The first step to helping your child express themselves honestly and feel heard is to validate their feelings.

“I know last year was really tough. I’m sorry that was a difficult time for you. I am proud of you for getting through that time.”

This validation lets them know three things, you hear what they are saying, you are present with them in the dialogue and you understand them. This not only lets your child know you are present, but it teaches them how to have an open dialogue about feelings in a healthy, nonavoidant way.

Once you validate their feelings help them normalize the discomfort they are feeling. “I understand it’s anxiety provoking to start a new year. That is a very normal feeling to have. I feel that way after vacation when I have to go back to work. It’s normal to feel a little nervous. It’s part of being human.”

This lets them know they are not alone in their feelings. You are helping to make the process of expressing and working through a feeling a normal event vs shutting them down or giving them a passive response that does not empower them in any way.

Uncomfortable feelings can make all of us feel alone and want to isolate, normalizing the feelings helps to build their esteem, not shake it.

The next step is to begin the proactive process of problem solving and brainstorming solutions. Help them come up with concrete ways to work through the discomfort.

“Last year I know you felt very alone and had a hard time connecting with your peers. Let’s make a list together of some things you are interested in this year that could help you broaden your social circle.”

Let them identify concrete ways they can participate in their goal to make more friends. One of

the quickest ways to shut an open dialogue down with your child is to give them a lecture on all the ways they can solve the problem. Take a step back and let them come up with a few ideas before you jump in and offer suggestions.

This helps empower your child in the problem solving process and builds their confidence. When you offer them the solution immediately you miss out on an opportunity to help them become more comfortable with discomfort.

Once you identify some proactive strategies, keep the conversation open by asking if there is anything else they feel worried about. Also ask them what you can do differently this year to help them get through difficult times. Ask direct questions so that they can be honest with you about what you may need to change.

“Is there anything you would like me to change this year that wasn’t helpful to you last year?”

“When you have a bad day what do you need from me. Do you find it most helpful for me to give you some space or give you a hug?”

This teaches your children to learn how to express what they need. We are all different in times of stress but the key to coping during these times is to have a sense of what works for us. For some it’s exercise, talking it out with someone, retreating to a quiet place, or blowing off some steam.

Don’t make the assumption that your child needs a hug when they may just need to take a time out.

Ask them! This teaches them solid communication skills in all relationships and develops trust between the two of you. You are showing your child that you trust them to communicate what they need from you and that you respect what they need.

Validate, normalize, be proactive and ask some direct questions about what you can do to help, and more importantly, find out what is

NOT helpful. Stay calm and open in the dialogue even if you start to feel uncomfortable yourself. Your calm, open demeanor lets them know you are not afraid to talk about uncomfortable feelings.

This approach to dealing with anxiety and uncomfortable feelings will help strengthen the bond you have with your child and teach them how to work through uncomfortable feelings. It will also teach them how to dialogue in their own relationships with peers and eventually romantic relationships.

Feeling anxious, nervous and uncomfortable is a part of everyday life whether you are a child or an adult- teach your children to be comfortable in the discomfort and watch them grow in their confidence and ability to problem solve.

Give them the skills they need to grow into healthy young adults who won’t avoid uncomfortable feelings.

I work with so many adults who are paralyzed by uncomfortable feelings and were not taught how to

process feelings in a healthy way.

Don’t pass on the dysfunction you grew up in, get the help you need and begin to model for your family how to process uncomfortable feelings and emotions, YOU ARE WORTH IT! Meghan Fritz is a psychotherapist practicing in State College, PA. For more information email: meghanlemery@yahoo.com

18

Families

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

TODAY

Adult & Senior Center of Saratoga

5 Williams St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 584-1621 Advance ticket purchase requested. Presale tickets must be redeemed by 6pm.

TICKETS AVAILABLE: Saratoga Senior Center. For bulk orders or questions call: 584-1621

Enjoy the famous Brooks BBQ and help the community!

Tues., July 19, 4:00-6:30 - at the Saratoga Senior Center, 5 Williams St. (Behind Spa Catholic HS) Fundraiser to Benefit: The Saratoga Senior Center and The Saratoga Children’s Theater $11: Chicken Dinner • $14: Rib Dinner. includes baked potato, cole slaw, dinner roll Orders may be eaten in or taken out. Delivery available for bulk orders.

Western card game rummy, Mahjong is a game of skill, strategy, and calculation and involves a degree of chance.

Mondays 1-4pm.

Tarot Card Reading with Mary Shimp A reading can give you an idea of where you are now, where you’ve HAPPENINGS AT come from, where you THE CENTER! want to be, and how to get Farmers Market Coupons there. Thurs., July 28, 9-11.

Office for the Aging will Donation. be here Fri., July 15, 11:15- Book Club Tue., July 26 at 3 12:15 to distribute Farmers p.m. - Discussing “Marriage Market Coupons! Info call of Opposites” by Alice 884-4800.

Hoffman. New members Outdoor Game Day- welcome!

Mondays 11:30-1:30 Computer, Phone & iPad NEW! Bingo - Wednesdays Help Students in the house!

12:30-2 Play for fun and Mon., Tues., 8-10. Sign up! prizes NEW! Bridge Wednesdays 1-4. must have group of 4 to SENIORS ON THE GO! • Tues., July 19: “Olana:” play.

MVP Latin Moves Mon. at Enjoy a guided tour of 11 a.m. June 20 -August 1st. Olana, the home, studio and designed landscape Please sign up! Free.

Mahjong Similar to the of Hudson River School

painter Frederic Edwin Church. Pay $15 at sign up, bring $10 admission and lunch money. Leave at 8:45.

Lunch to be determined.

• Fri., July 22: “In the Heights:” Presented

by Lake George Youth Theater. In the Heights centers on a variety of characters living in the neighborhood of Washington Heights, on the northern tip of Manhattan. 2008 Tony Winner. After the show have lunch at “Lake George Beach Club.”

Leave the center at 8 a.m. Pay $20 at signup, includes van and admission. Bring lunch money.

• Tues., July 26: “Zippy Chippy Day:” Old Friends at Cabin Creek is a living museum of horse racing. Enjoy a tour of this thoroughbred retirement farm. Writer and humorist, William Thomas, will be on hand to sign copies of his book, “The Legend of Zippy Chippy.” Brunch will be available starting at 11 a.m. Leave at 8:15.

Pay $5 van fee. Bring $10 admission. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring water.

Fri., July 29: Saratoga Lake Cruise: See Saratoga Lake on a relaxing onehour boat cruise. Enjoy

lunch at Lake Local after the cruise. Bring water.

Pay $17 at sign up, inc. van, tip for captain and admission. Bring lunch money. Leave at 9:15 a.m.

• Thurs., Oct. 20: “An American in Paris” at Proctors is a new hit musical about an American sol¬dier, a mysterious French girl and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. Don’t miss this stunning four-time Tonywinning production that earned more awards than any other musical in the 2014-15 season! 1:30 p.m. matinee. Pay $50 at sign up.

2016 One Day Bus Trips

Open to non-members, you do not have to be a Saratoga resident. Must be able to travel independently.

• Montreal - September 28, $31, non-member $51 **2nd Bus added** • New York City - December 7, $34, non-member $54 Bus trips sponsored

by Adirondack Trust Community Foundation

2016 Excursions

• Treasures of Northern California - Sept. 5-13 • Discover Tuscany - Oct. 20-28 • Spectacular South Africa - Oct. 24 -Nov. 6

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Families

TODAY

The Wilton Senior Center 18 Traver Road, Gansevoort, NY 12831 (518) 587-6363 Open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Lillian Worth Senior Center is located in the Town Hall Complex.

18 Traver Road. It is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Center will be closed Christmas Day and when Saratoga Springs Schools are closed for inclement weather.

Members must be 55 years of age. However, spouses younger than 55 may join and participate in all activities, but cannot vote until they reach age 55. Dues are $4 per year.

Bus transportation to and from the Senior Center, the Mall, grocery stores and appointments is available by calling the Saratoga County Office of the Aging at 884-4100 before noon on the day before the transportation is needed.

Activities include: • Ceramics and Crafts Tuesday morning (except July and August) • Free Blood Pressure Clinics Third Tuesday of Month at 1 p.m.

• Business Meetings First Tuesday of the Month at

1 p.m.

• Day Trips (dinner + attraction) Monthly April through November (minimal fee) • AARP “55 Alive” March and September • Drivers course held twice a year ($10 fee) • Exercise Groups, cards and other games Tuesdays and Thursdays • Speakers Scheduled throughout the year • Live entertainment scheduled throughout the year • Videos scheduled throughout the year

The Academy for Lifelong Learning 111 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 587-2100, ext. 2390, 2415 Founded in 1992, the Academy for Lifelong Learning is a nonprofit, membership organization providing academic classes and social activities for seniors. It is an independent entity sponsored by SUNY Empire State College with offices at 111 West Avenue in Saratoga Springs. For more information, go to www.esc.edu/all.

19

20

Families

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

TODAY

Tuning out the noise in 2016

by Stephen Kyne for Saratoga TODAY The past year in the markets has been nothing short of tumultuous. After peaking in May 2015, the markets suffered two 10% corrections, only to shrug them off and rebound to all-time highs again this week. Since 2009, the public has been so conditioned by fear that every time the markets blink, individual investors go running to cash, where they remain in hiding far too long.

The media doesn’t help, and being an election year, it’s not going to get better anytime soon.

Prepare yourself. In order to drive voters to the polls, politicians and their media surrogates know they need to create a sense of urgency.

The right will tell you that your life is terrible, the economy is terrible, and only an outsider can fix things.

The left can’t use that narrative, because of how inextricably

entrenched their candidate is in the establishment, so their storyline will likely be something more to the effect that we’re on the right track, and we need an experienced insider to keep us there. It will be interesting to watch how that goes over with the disenfranchised Bernie-ites who have been clamoring for, and promised, a revolution, only to have their prophet turn around and endorse the elite establishment he’s spent a lifetime at ideological odds with.

At the end of the day, the markets don’t really care who wins in November. Don’t get me wrong, Wall Street certainly has a preference, and it’s probably not what you think. For all her rhetoric, Clinton is well understood by Wall Street, and any banal pandering to the far left is seen for what it is.

What is known or expected is already priced into the markets. It is uncertainty that sends the markets reeling.

Consider Brexit: markets popped the day of the vote, with the expectation that the vote would be to stay, only to give back those gains, and plenty more after the results were announced.

Uncertainty and panic drove that market movement until a rational assessment could be made. The UK is the 5th largest economy in the world, it already has its own currency and denominates its debt in that currency. Theirs is not as much a divorce from the EU as

simply an annulment.

With Brexit, as with the election, Greece, Portugal, Ebola, H1N1, and any number of other times the Chicken Little media has worked a flinching public into a fearful froth, it was much ado about nothing on the downside, but a potentially significant opportunity to the upside for those disciplined investors who may have been sitting on cash.

If there’s one challenge for individual investors, it’s trying to filter out the noise – and there’s plenty of noise – to differentiate the consequential from the trivial, and invest rationally and without emotion. Most investors think they are capable, but if that was the case, why are so many investors out of the markets, and have been since 2009? After all, is it rational to assure yourself of 2-3% losses each year in purchasing power, simply due to inflation, by hording cash? Is it rational to lose money safely?

As professional investment advisors, we have the luxury of being emotionally removed from our clients’ investments, which means that what the individual investor sees as possibly apocalyptic (e.g. Brexit) we often can assess and view as a short-term blip and an opportunity to buy the market at a discount. Helping clients to put market movements in context helps them manage their emotional reactions and stick to a long-term investment strategy.

Even do-it-yourselfers benefit from having the ear of an advisor to help them escape the DIY echo chamber.

Turning toward the second half of the year, try to absorb information with skepticism and lean on your advisor whenever you need the news translated into “what does this mean for me”.

Stephen Kyne is a Partner

at Sterling Manor Financial in Saratoga Springs and Rhinbeck.

Securities offered through Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Sterling Manor Financial, LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor or Cadaret Grant & Co., Inc. Sterling Manor Financial and Cadaret, Grant are separate entities.

Dance and Play!

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The National Museum of Dance and School of the Arts announces its second annual “Dance and Play” at the National Museum of Dance!

Children’s Summer Camp with Joan Kilgore Anderson. This unique experience aims to spark and foster a love, appreciation and understanding of dance and the arts for children ages

5-7. Each day, the children will create dances and art projects based on a different theme. Throughout the week, campers will visit the National Museum of Dance exhibitions, and play in the Alfred Z. Solomon Children’s Wing with its many props, costumes and small dance studio.

Dance and Play camp will be held on July 18-22, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Class size is limited ­register your little one today! The cost per week is $150 for non-members and $135 for Museum members and current School of the Arts students. To register, visit the National Museum of Dance School of the Arts’ website dancemuseum.org.

The National Museum of Dance is located at 99 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs, New York. The Museum is currently open for daily admissions Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4:00 pm, offering free admission on Tuesdays. To support future exhibitions and events such as these, consider becoming a Museum member. For more information about exhibitions and upcoming events at the Museum call 518584-2225 ext. ension 3001.

EDUCATION 21

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Ballston Spa Schools Honor Former BOE President

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District Board of Education and Administration recently held a dedication ceremony in honor of former Board of Education President Kathleen Jarvis. The service was held in front of the Malta Avenue School building where a bench and tree were installed in recognition of the 19 years of service that she gave to the district. Jarvis was the first woman in the history of the school district to serve as Board of Education President.

She led the school district in that capacity for seven consecutive terms.

Jarvis’ commitment to Ballston Spa children’s education was demonstrated by her focus on providing them

with the best learning opportunities that the local community could afford. Those programs included guidelines for smaller class sizes, the International Baccalaureate Program, Sponsor-A-Scholar, the Early College High School at TEC- SMART, an enhanced art curriculum and numerous facilities improvements.

During her tenure, the Ballston Spa Central School District improved steadily in ranking among the other school districts in the Capital Region. The district is now recognized nationally for having one of the more challenging academic programs in the nation and more educational opportunities for students than most districts.

Jarvis was an enthusiastic

leader who championed the community as a founding member of the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association as well as serving on the local BOCES board. She was also a member of the board of directors for the Northeast March of Dimes Organization and was instrumental in the establishment of the Ballston Spa Educational Foundation in 1996.

Speaking to friends and family at the dedication ceremony were former Board of Education members Keith Stewart, Doug Young, Pat Leanza and Frank Townley, as well as administrators Dr. Raymond Colucciello and current Superintendent Joseph P. Dragone, Ph.D. The tree and bench located in front of the school will be enjoyed by students and families and serve as a permanent reminder of Kathleen Jarvis’ dedication and service to the district.

22

BUSINESS

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Church Avenue Stewart’s Shop

Celebration

BALLSTON SPA – The rain could not dampen any spirits on Saturday, July 9, at the celebration of the new Stewart’s Shop in its location at 170 Church Avenue in Ballston Spa where it originally opened over 70 years ago.

Between the ice cream contest and other festivities, plenty of memories of the historic location were shared amongst the festive crowd.

The inaugural ice cream shop was located at the front of the dairy plant the Dake family purchased from Donald Stewart back in 1945, which is where the Stewart’s name came from. That small store later

expanded to a Stewart’s Soup and Sandwich Shop and was updated to a Stewart’s Bread and Butter store after a fire in the 80s.

Now the shop has been rebuilt from the ground up in an effort to increase its food service and gas presence, while preserving the dairy, ice cream, coffee and grocery business it was built upon. The larger footprint also improves the flow inside and out.

This project is one of 18 other Stewart’s Shops expected to be built this year, either as a brand new location or a replacement of an existing location.

Photos by Francesco D’Amico.

Stewart’s Shops celebrated the grand opening of its newest store in its oldest location – the place where Stewart’s began more than 70 years ago on Church Avenue in Ballston Spa.

Callie Potter, left, and Taylor Perkins.

The ice cream contest was a big hit.

Bill Dake shakes hands with John Forshey, who presented Dakes with a paystub from one of his many weeks of employment at Stewart’s from 1961 to 1966.

Forshey rose to be supervisor of Saratoga Dairy.

Dick Horstman, left, and Dave Caruso. As a young child in the early 1930’s Horstman, from Jonesville, would beg his parents to stop at Stewart’s for ice cream whenever they would drive up to register the car, or go to the county fair.

BUSINESS BRIEFS 23

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

PEP Welcomes Crozier

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Patient Experience Project (PEP), a full-service, patient-centric communications agency based in Saratoga Springs, has announced the hiring of Meghan Crozier, the newest member of the PEP’s Client Services department.

Crozier joins the PEP as an account manager. In that role, she plans, executes, manages, and analyzes marketing campaigns and serves as the daily liaison between clients and the agency.

Crozier has comprehensive experience in pharmaceutical marketing, having managed multiple product launches and post-launch initiatives for such clients as Celgene, Alkermes, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Good Start Genetics, Gilead, and Shire. Previously, she worked as the director of Communications for the New York State Recreation and Park Society. Crozier earned a bachelor’s degree, with honors, in communication/creative advertising from Lasell College in Newton, Massachusetts.

Learn more about the Patient Experience Project at www. the-pep.com.

IMC “Arts Spark” Launch Party MALTA — Interactive Media Consulting, LLC, of Saratoga Springs is launching a new online business platform for artists.

Arts Spark is a platform for creative types to manage their music and art. Artists and creative freelancers will find marketing information, communities to share information and best practices, articles on a variety of topics, and easyto-use, affordable website and

e-commerce solutions.

At the launch and networking party on July 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Creative Corks in Malta (1107 Ellsworth Boulevard), IMC will offer demonstrations of Arts Spark and show artists how to use other technology tools that may be helpful to them, such as Facebook Live and Periscope. A Skype feed will bring in live music from Dallas-based guitarist Pete Weise.

Arts Spark solves a problem identified in the 2014 report issued by the Capital Region Creative Economy Project, which highlighted the need for access to business support services for creative entrepreneurs and freelancers. For more information, visit ArtsSpark.com.

Third Thursday Breakfast SARATOGA SPRINGS — Chris Kay, CEO of NYRA, will be the speaker at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce Third Thursday Breakfast at Longfellows, 500 Union Avenue on Thursday, July 21 from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.

With the 2016 Saratoga Race Meet starting on Friday, July 22, Chris Kay looks forward to the chance to update our members and guests on plans for the 2016 Race Meet and the outlook for the Saratoga Race Course this year and into the future.

The Saratoga Race Meet is one of the best in the world.

Under Chris Kay’s leadership, NYRA has become profitable

and attendance, sales of season passes, and handle on and off the track have all increased.

But, like every year, there are changes being made this year that we know will be of interest to everyone who loves the Saratoga Race Course and wants to see our Thoroughbred horse racing industry succeed.

Registration is $20 at www. saratoga.org. Thank you to The Adirondack Trust Company for sponsoring this breakfast.

TD Bank Partners to Support The Open Door QUEENSBURY — On Friday, July 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., donations will be accepted at the TD Bank at 54 Quaker Road in Queensbury, as part of TD’s Bring Change campaign to help local community organizations.

Friday’s community fundraiser is to support The Open Door. In addition to the community donation, TD will make a contribution.

The Open Door is a local non-profit organization dedicated to serving the homeless throughout the Glens Falls area. The organization provides nutritious meals in a friendly, welcoming environment. The Open Door serves more than 1,600 meals each month, along with distributing thousands of pounds food to local agencies.

Open Door would like to use the funds raised towards the purchase of a new convection oven and range that will help bring hot meals to those in need.

Harvard Suing GlobalFoundries over Patent Infringement on Computer Chip MALTA — GlobalFoundries is being sued by Harvard University for allegedly using a technique invented by Harvard researchers to make the IBM computer chips. Harvard filed a lawsuit against the company on Friday, June 24 after claiming patent infringement. The Ivy League school could potentially be suing for millions of dollars; however the exact amount is uncertain.

“Invented by Professor Roy G. Gordon and members of his Harvard laboratory in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the technology relates to the deposition of thin films of metals and other materials onto surfaces — for example, to create an insulating layer on a semiconductor memory chip,” Harvard stated in a recent post to its website.

IBM previously made these computer chips at its factory in Dutchess County, currently owned

by GlobalFoundries. It is unknown if Harvard had discussed the patent infringement with IBM before the GlobalFoundries takeover.

Business-to-Business Expo SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce will host its largest event of the year, the 2016 Saratoga County Business-toBusiness Expo, on Thursday, October 6. The event will take place from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway.

There will be 145 member exhibitors, comprised of over 40 industries from all over the Capital Region. There will be over 10 local restaurants serving food, various activities throughout the expo, various cash bars, and giveaways at member booths. Average attendance ranges between 1,500-2,000 people, with a majority coming from the business community.

For more information or to sign-up as an exhibitor, visit www. saratoga.org. For any additional questions, or if you are a restaurant vendor, please contact Keith VanVeghten, kvanveghten@saratoga.org or call 518-584-3255.

24 BALLSTON SPA 147 Lewis St., $76,000. Susan Neville (by Exec.) sold property to George and Carolyn Hannah.

91 Goode St., $219,900.

Karen Hollowood sold property to Kevin and Amanda Simpson.

13 Forestbrook Dr., $345,700. Melissa Marra sold property to Cartus Financial Corporation.

13 Forestbrook Dr., $345,700. Cartus Financial Corporation sold property to Bradley Chevalier and Michelle Pautler.

17 Mourningkill Dr., $50,000.

Nicolas VanVorst sold property to VanVorst Tire

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS Inc.

CHARLTON 125 Saddlebrook Lane, $645,000. Frederick and Lovie Bourne sold property to Thomas and Kimberly Straub.

GALWAY 6037A Hillcrest Rd., $64,000.

Yvonne Veeder (by Admin) sold property to Donna Brown.

5030 Jockey St., $248,000.

Ryan and Tara Wilding sold property to Andrew and Jodie Moore.

GREENFIELD 4434 State Route 9N, $339,000. Tony and Alysse sold property to Gordon

and Mary Eddy.

MALTA Lot 34 Maiden Circle, $359,581. John Luke Development Co. LLC sold property to Jami Sautter and Kelly Law. 113 Raylinsky Rd., $422,000.

Dzavid and Nedzad Cekic sold property to Neal Shapiro.

14 Arrowwood Place, $192,000. Richard Dahlgren sold property to Daniel Justice.

sold property to Robert and Bridget Rider.

29 Pinehollow Dr., $295,000.

Nathanael Piotrowski sold property to Jean, George and Barbara Leyden and Martha Iacolucci.

19 Burning Pines Dr., $198,000. Michael Jakubiszen sold property to Justin Taylor.

860/858 Salem Dr., $100,000.

Town of Milton sold property to MJGD LLC.

MOREAU

231 Thimbleberry Rd., $182,450. Nicole Borla sold property to Kathleen Humes.

34 Iris Ave., $269,900. Todd and Mary Chandler sold property to Michael and Nikki Crowe.

5 Village View Bluff, $232,500. Brian Stekloff sold property to Patrick Borden and Meghan McGrath.

34 Wilson Ave., $198,100.

Dennis Waesworth sold property to Matthew Porlier.

MILTON

26 Spring St., $95,000. Kelly Marcantonio sold property to Cheri and David Lawson.

227 North Line Rd., $200,900.

Andrew Carter sold property to Allen Strunc.

252 Burt Rd., $167,900.

Rebecca Hoey sold property to Gail Stauble.

590 Acland Blvd., $336,000.

Thomas and Ingrid Hodgins

31 Pheasant Way, $235,000.

David and Bonnie Merton sold property to Brian Thomsen.

41 William St., $205,897.

Cerrone Construction LLC sold property to Christopher and Dawn Casola.

NORTHUMBERLAND 64 Baker Dr., $212,000. Alex and Madison Zuis sold property to Corey and Hanna Ruggiero.

116 Virginia Place, $335,000.

Melissa Decker sold property to Bonnie and Shannon Babb.

SARATOGA 107 Trask Lane, $640,000.

Paul and Marcia Okosky sold property to Dominick and Carol Spinella.

SARATOGA SPRINGS 70 Railroad Place, $31,000.

Stephen Rucinski and Mary McLaughlin sold property to Michele McAuliff.

70 Railroad Place, Unit 412, 985,000. Stephen Rucinski

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016 and Mary McLaughlin sold property to James Giammattei.

8 Karista Spring Dr., $232,000.

Donald VanVranken sold property to Patricia and Wade Geary.

107 Oak St., $250,000.

Rosemary Hopps (by Exec) sold property to Jane Belote.

96 Fifth Ave., $985,000.

Steven Weston (Trustee) sold property to John and Sharine Battaglino.

8 Peck Ave., $155,000. Carey Glessing sold property to Jeffrey and Lindsey Kirkland.

3 Saratoga Circle, $331,500.

Lale Odekon sold property to Terry Dimick.

46 Ash St., $270,000. Anthony Treffiletti sold property to Eric Gentino and Allison Buckley.

90 Fifth Ave., $1,570,000. John and Sharine Battaglino sold property to Steven Weston (as Trustee).

272 Grand Ave., $312,500.

Joseph Poma and Kathleen Copp sold property to David Washburn and Demetria Konnis.

108 Circular St., $850,000.

Mizzentop LLC sold property to Robert Bolen, Jr.

STILLWATER Bancroft St., $45,000. Linda Ronda sold property to Diane Starks.

52 Stratton Lane, $325,000.

Stacey and Robert Davis, Jr. sold property to Timothy Komoroske and Erica Conley-Komoroske.

WILTON 22 Cider Mill Way, $473,247.

Smith Bridge LLC sold property to Pamela and Bernard Fabry.

135 Traver Rd., $190,000.

Joseph O’Neill sold property to Daniel Todd.

25

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

The

Starting Gate

Todd’s Terrific Twos, and the Brown Grass Menagerie Saratoga Race Course – 2016 Preview

by Brendan O’Meara for Saratoga TODAY Somewhere in the ballpark of 400 horses will win a race at Saratoga this year. Let’s say 400 since there are about 10 races per day for 40 days of racing. The abacus tells us that adds up to about 400 winners. Few horses win more than once at Saratoga.

Shut up, Bernardini!

Shut up, Stay Thirsty!

Okay, so, point being, the most interesting race of the past few seasons has been a two-horse match between Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown for leading trainer. These two are like Sunday Silence and Easy Goer, a more fitting combo of names than the more famous tete a tete in Affirmed and Alydar.

Speaking with Pletcher or Brown,

you soon realize you’re dealing with the measured tonalities of a CEO beholden to shareholders.

Which, when you think about it, they are, especially the Pletcher Industrial Complex.

Both minds, Brown and Pletcher, have uncanny recall, horsemanship and managerial skills.

The RAM it must take to run an equine operation of such scale and detail would fry most motherboards, which may be why trainers like Eric Guillot resort to voodoo dolls. One presumes Microsoft Excel hasn’t been installed on his 1996 Gateway.

The thing is, winning the Saratoga training title is easy.

Or, put another way, hacking the Saratoga training title is easy if you have the proper ammo.

Saratoga is known for two things: turf racing and two-yearolds. Yes, there are the prominent races like the Whitney Invitational, the King’s Bishop and, of course, the Travers Stakes.

Fewer courses get more traffic than the inner and outer turf tracks at Saratoga. Enter Brown. With such a large swath of turf races at Saratoga and with such aplomb for running horses on grass, it gives Brown a distinct leg up over trainers who don’t have those types of horses.

Of Brown’s 31 wins at Saratoga in 2015, 22 of them came on the turf. Of the 142 horses he saddled at Saratoga last summer 106 were on the turf, good for 75 percent.

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, another trainer who loves a solid grass horse, routinely finishes in the top five at Saratoga even though he hasn’t been BILL MOTT for several seasons now. A year ago Mott saddled 92 Saratoga starters, 64 on the turf. Think that’s a mistake?

Even though Mott trained the incomparable Cigar and won the Belmont Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic with Drosselmeyer, dirt horses and Mott go together like oil and water.

As for Pletcher, being the alpha at Saratoga can simply be as easy as running the most horses.

The bull’s eye becomes that much easier to hit if the bartender hands you a box of 173 darts. Of Pletcher’s 173 starters in 2015, 77 started on grass for a total of 12 wins, but he makes his hay with two-year-olds.

Pletcher saddled 55 twoyear-olds starters in 40 days for 14 of his 34 wins with nine coming on the dirt and five on the turf.

Two-year-olds and turf? That’s your classic two birds with one stone maneuver.

Steve Asmussen comes close with 25 two-year-old starters and five wins, but it’s like anything: work begets work. And for the better part of 15 years, Pletcher trains talented, precocious two-yearolds and ships them to the winner’s circle.

From there he masterfully campaigns them through the winter and spring and graduates them to the Kentucky Derby. That Derby saddlecloth is the cap and gown.

This cycle starts at Saratoga for Pletcher and ends at the Derby and repeats itself year after year. He doesn’t need to win the Derby; he needs to keep reaching it and the people will continue to bring him their best, most expensive young progeny.

But more to the point, that is why he wins at Saratoga. The condition book provides him with the most dartboards and he just so happens to have the most darts to throw.

How else does Chrisophe Clement, a New York-based trainer, finish in the top five at Saratoga? European by descent, he also trains and starts many turf horses. Forty-three of his 60 starters—72 percent of his horses—came on the grass.

In 2009, the last year Pletcher did not win leading trainer at Saratoga, Linda Rice took advantage of a heavily carded slate of turf sprints to become the first woman to win the title.

So, you see, it’s easy to win the training title at Saratoga! Once you know how the racing secretary cards the meet, you recruit horses based the style of that condition book.

For years Pletcher has stood atop the Saratoga mountain on the strength of his two-year-olds, but when Brown came along in 2008, suddenly the balance of power began to shift due to his (Brown’s) strength with grass horses.

And since Brown has proven of late that he can get a horse or two into the Kentucky Derby (MyManSam, Shagaf, Normandy Invasion), he may start winning some two-year-old races on dirt to go along with his prowess with turf horses.

In time, and it may not be that long, Brown could become the most prolific winning trainer Saratoga has ever seen with the type of horses he routinely trains.

Which is why the match race between Pletcher and Brown remains the most competitive endurance race of the entire Saratoga meet.

26 Starting Gate The

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Excellent Taste!

Taste NY at Saratoga Series to Return for Third Season SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association, Inc. today announced that the popular Taste NY at Saratoga series will return for its third season during the 2016 meet at historic Saratoga Race Course.

Held in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the highly popular Taste NY events provide track guests with the opportunity to sample a wide variety of products made exclusively in New York State.

The series features: - An array of New York ciders, wines and spirits for sampling every Thursday of the meet - A selection of New York craft beers on Fridays

- New York foods and artisan crafts every Sunday of the Saratoga season.

Participating vendors in the 2016 Taste NY series include local institutions such as Saratoga Crackers, Druthers Brewing Company and The Saratoga Winery to the popular downstate entity Brooklyn Brewery and Heron Hill Winery of the Finger Lakes Region.

“We are proud to have been one of the first organizations to embrace the Taste NY program, beginning at Saratoga Race Course in 2014,” said New York Racing Association CEO and President Chris Kay. “Drawing more than one million visitors from all over the world each year, the meet at Saratoga is an

incredible opportunity to highlight some of the very best of New York’s food and beverage producers,” said New York State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “During these exciting six weeks of racing, consumers have easier access to world-class products made right here in New York State, giving our local businesses the chance to reach new markets.

Partnerships, like this one with NYRA, are part of the foundation of the Taste NY initiative and instrumental in helping local companies grow. We are excited to team up with NYRA again this year and eager to build on the success of 2015.”

The weekly series will take place on-track at the Saratoga Pavilion, presented by Time Warner Cable News. The Thursday and Friday editions occur from noon to 5 p.m. with

Photo by NYRA

the Sunday market commencing at 10:30 a.m.

There is no admission charge for the Saratoga Pavilion. Wines, ciders and spirits will be available in increments of five samples for $5 on Thursdays while selections of craft beer will be available for the same on Fridays. There is no sampling fee for foods on Sundays.

Guests will be able to purchase products that are available for sampling.

Participating vendors in the Thursday cider, wine and spirits tasting include: Albany Distilling Company in Albany; Awestruck Premium Hard Ciders in Sidney; Benmarl Winery in Marlboro; Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville; Harvest Spirits Farm Distillery in Valatie; Heron Hill Winery in Hammondsport; Kaneb Orchards in Massena; Nine Pin Cider Works in Albany; Saratoga Courage Distillery in Greenfield Center; The Saratoga Winery in Saratoga Springs; Slyboro Cider House in Granville; Thirsty Owl Outlet and Wine Garden in Saratoga Springs; and Thousand Islands Winery in Alexandria Bay. Participating breweries in the Friday craft beer tasting include: Adirondack Brewery in Lake George; Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown; Brooklyn Brewery in

Brooklyn; Browns Brewing Company in Troy; Captain Lawrence Brewing Company in Elmsford; Druthers Brewing Company in Saratoga Springs; Empire Brewing Company in Syracuse; Good Nature Brewing in Hamilton; Ithaca Beer Company in Ithaca; Keegan Ales in Kingston; Lake Placid Brewery in Lake Placid; Olde Saratoga Brewing Company in Saratoga Springs; and Saranac Brewery in Utica.

Participating vendors in the Sunday food and artisan market include: Black Sheep Honey Company in Berne; DogGone Stylish in Ballston Spa; Healthy Gourmet Kitchen in Glenville; IM2 Handmade Items in Queens; Mike’s Gourmet in Round Lake; Mountain Winds Farm in Berne; Muddy Trail Jerky Co. in Granville; Mugzy’s Barkery in East Greenbush; Pa’s Pistols Sweet Hickory and Wing Sauce in South Glens Falls; RAD Soap Co. in Menands; Saratoga Crackers in Middle Grove; Simply Kombucha in Hudson Falls; Sweet & Sassy Confections in Clifton Park; The Chocolate Spoon in Saratoga Springs; and Worldlings Pleasure in Watervliet.

Vendors will rotate each week, keeping the event fresh throughout the meet!

27 Starting Gate

The

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Pari-mutuel: It’s You Alone -Against the World

by Tom Amello for Saratoga TODAY The business of Thoroughbred racing associations is clear: staging racing for wagering purposes and supporting the owners, trainers and players who make the game possible. Everything else is marketing: Delivering enhanced guest experiences to entice fans and players to either come to the track and wager, or choose its simulcast signal. Of course, there’s much more to a day at the races, especially a day at Saratoga Race Course. But racing and wagering IS the Thoroughbred game. And “pari-mutuel’ is the cornerstone of the game.

The pari-mutuel concept distinguishes wagering on Thoroughbred races from other forms of gambling.

The term comes from the French which means “mutual betting”.

Simply speaking, all bets of a certain type (win, place, show, etc.) are made into single “pools”…a money pool.

The racing association, as compensation for staging races, “takes” a certain percentage from each pool.

Monies remaining in the pool, less the “takeout” commission charged by the association, are distributed among all winning ticket holders.

For example, if the takeout percentage in the win pool is 15 percent, .85 cents of each dollar wagered goes into the pool for distribution to winning ticket holders.

Understanding the pari-mutuel system is essential, especially for

new fans and players. First, the association earns its money through the takeout. Unlike the casino, the racing association is not a player in the game; it’s a pre-paid producer of each race.

Second: Players, both new and veterans, play against each other. So, when players win and cash a bet, they are not ever playing with “house” money or the track’s money. Winning at the race track is essentially picking money from the pool that was in your neighbor’s pocket. Handicapping and constructing wagers to get money out of the pools are skills that can be learned and developed.

Third: To be a “winner for the day”, players must win back the takeout percentage and more. So, when a player wagers $10 but only $8.50 goes into the pool, the winning payout must return at least $10 to break even. Said another way, nonwinning players lose 100 percent of what they wager into the pool; winners lose 15 percent. And, tracks have higher takeout percentages for various exotic wagers. It’s the takeout, the cost of placing wagers, that makes it difficult to be a winning player. A friend once said to me, “I bring a shovel to the track. I start every racing day in the hole and spend the rest of the day digging myself out.”

Fourth: While there is enough randomness at the track so that everyone might win on occasion, the pari-mutuel system rewards the more experienced and knowledgeable. But new players arrive at a significant disadvantage…which brings us back to association sponsored meaningful, measurable and effective fan education and player development programs.

Understanding the pari-mutuel system overall is only the first step on the path to successful wagering on Thoroughbred racing.

These are facts: • The pari-mutuel odds board represents the collective wisdom of all the players betting into the pool, many of whom know the game.

Photo by NYRA.com

• The pari-mutuel odds board is a relatively efficient “market” in that, for all races, the favorite, the horse with the lowest/shortest odds, wins more than the second choice, the second choice wins more than the third choice, the third choice….and so on.

• Approximately 90 percent of winners come from the public’s first 4 or 5 betting choices,.

• For all races, the public’s #1 betting choice, the favorite, wins 30-33 percent.

• For all races, the public’s first two betting choices finish 1st and/or 2nd better than 65 percent.

Understanding the pari-mutuel system identifies the competition.

Understanding the odds board tells

you what the competition values.

New players and fans should start their wagering considerations with the odds board. The informed public speaks via wagering into the pool.

Winning with the crowd when the crowd is right is critical for new fans and players. First learn to win with the crowd. Then learn what it takes to beat the crowd.

Tom Amello began his Thoroughbred education over 50 years ago. In 1984, Tom created his own database of New York trainers and horses that became the foundation for the Saratoga selection sheet, Trackfacts. For over twenty years Tom produced and hosted original programming covering Thoroughbred racing for Capital

District OTB Television. Tom conducts numerous handicapping seminars and workshops, including participation in “Count Down to…” programs at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and the “History, Horses and Handicapping” program at SUNY Empire State College’s Academy for Lifelong Learning. In 2013, Tom published Playing the Odds Board: Gateway to the Game ™, a guide that makes betting easier to understand and more fun for those new to Thoroughbred racing. Tom, with his daughter Kate, owns and operates the Brunswick at Saratoga Bed and Breakfast at 143 Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Contact Tom at trkfacts@nycp.rr.ocm.

28 Starting Gate The

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

MEET THE TRAINERS

Rudy Rodriguez:

Last 5 Spa meets: 59/364 16% win & 48% in-the-$ 2015 Spa meet: 15/81 19% win & 49% in-the-$ • The strength lies in dirt runners going short or long • Dirt runners hit the board 52% • Rarely wins with debut runners; much better second-out • Wins more claiming races than Allowance or Optional Claiming heats • Dangerous when entered in NYBred dirt route stakes • “Go To” Jockeys: Joe Bravo, Javier Castellano, Irad Ortiz, jr.

Photos By NYRA.com

Jason Servis:

Linda Rice:

Last 5 Spa Meets: 17/97 18% win & 44% in-the-$

Last 4 Spa Meets: 35/317 11% win & 38% in-the-$

2015 Spa meet: 3/26 12% win & 50% in-the-$

2015 Spa Meet: 7/52 13% & 44% in-the-$

• Enjoyed a strong early Belmont meet

• Since winning 2009 Spa training title a solid 13% winner each meet

• Solid trainer underperformed in 2015, expect improvement • Spots horses well in claiming races over both dirt & turf • Capable with sprinters on both dirt & turf • Has no maiden winners in the last 5 years • “Go To” Jockeys: Jose Ortiz & Jose Lezcano

• Reputation with turf sprinters draws betting money • Sneaky good winning with dirt sprinters at fair odds • Can win with juvenile debut runners at good odds

Todd Pletcher Last 5 Spa meets: 172/733 23% win & 51% in-the-$ 2015 Spa meet: 34/173 20% win & 50 % in-the-$

Bruce Levine: Last 5 Spa Meets: 37/217 17% & 46% in-the-$

• Pletcher has more wellbred horses than any other trainer & runs more horses at Saratoga than any other trainer

2015 Spa Meet: 5/42 12% & 36% in-the-$ • Solid trainer on this circuit, runs 40-50 starts each meet

• Wins more in Optional Claiming company than straight claiming races

• Wins claiming races

• “Go To” Jockeys: Cornelio Velasques & Jose Ortiz

• Wins high percentage in Allowance company over turf

• More effective with routers than sprinters

• Wins when switching distances from route to a sprint • Low win percentage with debut runners but they hit the board • “Go To” Jockeys: Javier Castellano, Jophn Velazquez, Rajiv Maragh, Joel Rosario & Kendrick Carmouche

Kiaran McLaughlin Last 5 Spa meets: 58/256 23% win 3& 50% in-the-$ 2015 Spa meet: 13/57 24% win & 56% in –the-$ • McLaughlin can win on debut with juveniles but 2nd out percentage is greater • He wins a greater percentage of dirt routes than dirt sprints • Dirt routers hit the board near 70% • His graded and non-graded stakes routers win over 19% • “Go To” Jockeys: Irad Ortiz, Jr., Luis Saez

• Won 31% with juvenile dirt sprinters on debut over last 5 meets; 22% in 2015 • His runners finish in-themoney at 50% • Wins 43% when his horses are bet 2-1 or less, 63% at very short odds • Wins 18% at odds between 2-1 & 5-1 and 12% at odds above 5-1 • Wins dirt routes but is vulnerable with turf route runners • There are few holes in his training arsenal...the odds tell the tale.

• “Go To” Jockeys: Javier Castellano, John Velazquez, Eric Cancel, Irad Ortiz. Jr, Luis Saez over turf

29 Starting Gate

The

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

MEET THE TRAINERS

Photos By NYRA.com

David Jacobson:

Chad Brown:

John Terranova:

George Weaver:

Bill Mott

Last 5 Spa Meets: 47/287 16% & 47% in-the $

Last 5 Spa Meets: 129/497 26% & 58% in-the-$

Last 5 Spa Meets: 26/152 17% & 41% in-the-$

Last 5 Spa Meets: 50/273 18% & 43% in-the-$

Last 5 Spa Meets: 66/430 15% & 47% in-the-$

2015 Spa Meet: 9/74 12% & 47% in-the-money

2015 Spa Meet: 31/142 22% & 53% in –the-$

2015 Spa Meet: 6/30 20% in & 33% in-the-$

2015 Spa Meet: 12/68 18% & 46% in-the-$

2015 Spa Meet: 16/92 17% & 57% in-the-$

• Experienced a lackluster meet in 2015

• 70% of starters came over turf with 29% wins

• Hosts Bob Baffert’s stakes horses shipping to Saratoga

• Averages 85 starters each meet

• 8/9 2015 winners came in claiming company

• Wins with debut runners & maidens over turf

• Wins more dirt routes than dirt sprints

• Wins high % of juvenile turf stakes

• Well-regarded young trainer getting more & better stock each year

• Astounding that he shows a positive betting return for last 5 meets

• Owns a 31% win rate in claiming races

• Wins with dirt sprinters in Allowance company & nongraded stakes

• A 10% winner with all turf runners • “Go To” Jockeys: Javier Castellano, Cornelio Velasques & Irad Ortiz, Jr.

• Wins 14% of juvenile dirt sprints in Maiden Special Weight races • “Go To” Jockeys: Javier Castellano, Irad Ortiz, Jr., Joel Rosario An interactive quarter pole at the corner of Broadway and Circular Street is one of seven markers in downtown Saratoga.

• Wins the same 18% rate over dirt & turf but runs more over turf

• Spots stock well in Optional Claiming/Allowance races

• Obviously preps horses well for the spots he picks to run

• Often applies “gate-to-wire” strategy when entering speed horses on turf

• Weaver wins at all levels: maiden claiming, maiden special, midlevel claiming, Optional Claiming and Starter Allowances.

• “Go To” Jockeys: Eric Cancel & Angel Cruz

• “Go To” Jockeys: Eddie Castro, Manny Franco, Jose Lezcano, Joel Rosario, Luis Saez & top jocks Castellano & Velazquez when available

• Older horses running over turf or dirt are areas of strength • Wins in claiming, Optional Claiming and non-graded stakes company • Wins a low % of maiden special sprints & routes regardless of surface • Capable of having older horses ready to run well off long layoffs • “Go To” Jockeys: Junior Alvarado & Jose Lezcano

30 Starting Gate The

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

MEET THE JOCKEYS

Kendrick Carmouche

Eric Cancel

Starts Year 178 2015 Win % 12

Starts Year 178 2015 Win % 12

Exacta % Trifecta % 24 37

Exacta % Trifecta % 24 37

Photos By NYRA.com

Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Starts Year 284 2015 260 2014 254 2013 214 2012 Win % 20 20 11 7 Exacta % Trifecta % 33 50 37 50 19 38 20 31

Manny Franco

Starts Year 284 2015 260 2014 254 2013 214 2012 Win % 20 20 11 7 Exacta % Trifecta % 33 50 37 50 19 38 20 31

Javier Castellano

Starts Year 296 2015 246 2014 322 2013 271 2012 Win % 18 24 20 19 Exacta % Trifecta % 33 48 41 55 39 57 32 46

John Velazquez Starts Year 239 2015 217 2014 241 2013 153 2012 Win % 19 18 19 20 Exacta % Trifecta % 35 45 35 47 34 49 32 41

Jose Lezcano

Starts Year 160 2015 144 2014 170 2013 212 2012 Win % 10 12 14 17 Exacta % Trifecta % 21 34 24 38 29 44 35 48

31 Starting Gate

The

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

MEET THE JOCKEYS

Jose Ortiz Year Starts 260 2015 2014 215 2013 201 Win % 15 14 12 Exacta % Trifecta % 31 45 26 39 21 34

Luis Saez

Year Starts 238 2015 2014 165 2013 233 Win % 15 10 7 Exacta % Trifecta % 26 37 55 332 17 27

Stats and Content by Tom Amello

Joel Rosario

Year Starts 185 2015 2014 200 2013 221 2012 214 Win % 15 16 19 14 Exacta % Trifecta % 31 43 30 46 37 52 27 42

Julien Leparoux Year Starts 104 2015 2014 81 2012 193 Win % 5 5 12 Exacta % Trifecta % 17 27 9 30 26 36

Travers 2015: Keen Ice runs down American Pharoah. Photo by Sharon Castro.

Junior Alvarado

Year Starts 239 2015 2014 217 2013 241 2012 153 Win % 19 18 19 20 Exacta % Trifecta % 35 45 35 47 34 49 32 41

Photos By NYRA.com

Rajiv Maragh

Year Starts injured 2015 2014 162 2013 158 2012 218 Win % inj 13 7 7 Exacta % Trifecta % inj inj 27 42 20 37 20 30

32 Starting Gate The

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Saddle Up! Saratoga Trainer’s Saddle Towel Guide Available July 22 SARATOGA SPRINGS — There’s nothing quite like the steam from a hot cup of coffee blending into the fog over the race course on an early Saratoga morning as the horses train. The rhythmic sound of hooves of two horses breezing in company rounding the turn and thundering toward the finish line is all consuming. Add a little side conversation about the upcoming day or the night before, or maybe a bit of eavesdropping to learn more about what you’re seeing, and you have delved into the special world of Saratoga’s morning workouts.

Each day during the meet, except Tuesdays, you can enjoy this experience from the Spa stands or by the rail at the Main Track listening to the commentary of NYRA’s Maude Walsh as fans have done for decades.

Or, with a short walk across the street from Union Avenue to East Avenue by Potato Chip Lane, you can look through the chain link fence at the starting gate training

ThoroFan’s

2016 GUIDE Saddle Towels to Saratoga Race Course Trainers’

Photo © Barry A. Bornstein

Our Platinum Sponsor

THOROFAN.COM

under the direction of Bob Duncan and his crew.

Then there is the new venue at the fabled Oklahoma training facility. This onemile dirt track and its 7/8mile turf training oval is open from mid-April until October. In 2013 NYRA built a $500,000 structure called the Whitney Viewing Stand to honor this leading racing family. It is a faithful replica of the judges’ stand that used to be at the finish line in the early 1900s until the winds caused it to topple. The view from this elevated position at the eighth pole affords a perch to view horses breezing or galloping around the final turn, breaking from the training gate, jogging the wrong way, or just standing out and relaxing before their work starts. You can even see the steeplechase horses practice over the jumps set up in the infield there.

If you take the free backstretch tour, you will find yourself immersed in the realm of training as you learn the unseen details of what it takes to have a winning horse at Saratoga.

And for the eighth year, the ThoroFan Guide to the Saratoga Trainer’s Saddle Towels is again on hand to enhance this experience. This 44-page, fact filled booklet gives morning workout fans a deeper understanding of what they are seeing. And the Saddle Towel Guide is free, thanks to the sponsorship of local Saratoga businesses, hotels, and racing, as well as the volunteer efforts of ThoroFan. This year the Platinum Sponsor is the Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau, who understands the value to Saratoga of knowing as much as possible about the sport of Thoroughbred Racing.

So bring that coffee, your binoculars, your friends, and your copy of The Guide to experience

this relaxed side of Saratoga racing. Talk with others there to learn more about the sport, see how many different saddle towels you can spot. Listen to the riders’ banter and to the approaching hoof beats. Feel the energy. Who knows? Someday it may be your horse you are watching. All this and more makes mornings at Saratoga a special place to be.

Don’t miss it.

Beginning Opening Day (July 22), the Guide may be picked up at several locations in Saratoga Springs - Look for it in the Visitor’s Center, the Chamber of Commerce Information Booth, the Adirondack Trust Company, Impressions of Saratoga, Best Dressed Windows In Town, Capital District OTB, EMBRACE THE RACE, Crush & Cask, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Five Points Market and Deli, and several hotels courtesy of the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau.

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

33

Puzzles Across 1 Ignore the teleprompter 6 Take for a ride, so to speak 10 Pyramid, to Tut 14 Supermodel Klum 15 “Look what I did!”

16 Old-time knife 17 “Full House” star Bob 18 Alphabetically first of the acting Baldwin brothers 19 Sedgwick of “The Closer” 20 McDonald’s freebies 23 Contractor’s approx.

25 Word ending for enzymes 26 Outcome 27 Multi-day event featuring rainbow flags 31 Alaskan native 32 Forever and a day 33 Opposite of NNE 36 Campus official 37 Willy with a chocolate factory 39 Indian spiced tea 40 Kazakhstan, once: Abbr.

41 For the lady 42 Prankster’s favorite month 43 Ride with wooden horses 46 Scramble, as a secret message 49 Dawn goddess 50 Old AT&T rival 51 Fruit-flavored hard candies 55 Part of Q.E.D. 56 “You hurt?” reply, hopefully 57 Really bad turnout 60 Feel concern 61 Luigi’s “Bye!” 62 Conclude 63 “Faster __ a speeding bullet ...”

64 Tailor’s sewn folds 65 Sidewalk eateries Down 1 Sighs of satisfaction 2 Agcy. with narcs 3 Astronomical distance 4 “I had no __!”

5 Walk-on role 6 Hung around 7 Not windy 8 “Zip-__-Doo-Dah” 9 ‘90s Los del R’o dance hit 10 “For shame!”

See puzzle solutions on page 46

See puzzle solution on page 46 11 “Shame __!”

12 Two-time Best Actress Oscar winner Streep 13 Beauty’s beau 21 Tire pressure abbr.

22 Popular jeans 23 “Jeepers!”

24 Black Friday deals 28 Many a punch line 29 __-weensy 30 Chinese cookware 33 Doesn’t lose sleep over 34 New Orleans footballer 35 Oscar who quipped, “True friends stab you in the front” 37 Lottery winners’ cry 38 Bobby of hockey 39 Naval noncom: Abbr.

41 Actress Lamarr

42 As, on the periodic table 43 Like lava 44 Colorful little lizards 45 “Impressive!”

46 Cockpit panic button 47 “Little Broken Hearts” singer Jones 48 Civil War nurse Barton 52 Parisian gal pal 53 Linguist Chomsky 54 Gossip columnist Barrett 58 Michelle Obama __ Robinson 59 EMTs’ destinations

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: Abbreviation, Acronym, Initialism An abbreviation is a shortened word form of a word or phrase that cannot be pronounced as another word (Dept., Prof.

Mgr., etc.). An acronym is a group of initials that can be pronounced as a word (radar, scuba, sonar, etc). An initialism is a group of initials that cannot be pronounced as a word (FBI, HTML, IRA, etc.).

Dave Dowling is the author of The Wrong Word Dictionary and The Dictionary of Worthless Words. Both books are available from many book retailers, and signed copies can be obtained by contacting Dave at davedowling59@yahoo.com

34

FOOD

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Saratoga Area Farmers to Offer “Do it Yourself” Workshops

Saturdays, 9 to 1 Wednesdays, 3 to 6 High Rock Park

by Sarah Morin for Saratoga TODAY Albert Einstein once described experience as the ultimate source of knowledge. In a similar vein, many people have embraced the spirit of teaching that is captured in the saying, “give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach them to fish and you feed them for life.”

For farmers and food processors, these ideas carry substantial truth. With that in mind, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market will begin a new “do it yourself ” learning series in which local farmers, producers, and chefs will offer workshops on how to self-create their arts.

As the market administrator, I am hoping that these workshops will help build an

Summertime Radish Salad even stronger bridge between our local farmers and producers and the community. There is a greater appreciation for these arts when there is an understanding of what they entail. Like many of our vendors, I feel that it is important for people to acquire skills like gardening, cooking, and food processing whether the intent is to save money or to become more self-sufficient.

The first of the workshops took place last Wednesday, and featured a history of cheesemaking. Liza Porter of Homestead Artisans at Longview Farm offered a historical commentary

about the last 10,000 years of cheese-making. Attendees sampled several cheeses, yogurts, and milks as they learned about how cheese-making had progressed over the ages.

Next Wednesday, July 20, local chef Dan Spitz will offer cooking demonstrations and instruction on preparing seasonal food with a focus on using raw produce. “Preparing fresh produce can be so simple,” Spitz told me. “On a hot summer day turning on the oven or stove top is the last thing you want to do. People just need a little inspiration to know how to create a satisfying meal using seasonal produce with a few key ingredients.”

The series will continue July 27, with Bobby Chandler of the Mariaville Mushroom Men offering a workshop on mushroom cultivation and log inoculation. “Part of my business has become encouraging people to learn about growing their own mushrooms,” Chandler told me. Alongside his array of fresh mushrooms Chandler also offers inoculated logs prepared to grow shitake and oyster mushrooms.

The upcoming workshops begin at 3:30 p.m., and will last for approximately an hour.

They are free and open to the public, and attendees are invited to ask questions. For more information, visit www.saratogafarmersmarket.org.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open 3-6 p.m.

Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturdays at High Rock Park.

Ingredients

Directions

Adapted from Sunny Anderson’s radish salad recipe 4-6 Servings *Ingredients available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market - 2 tablespoons apple cider * - 2 tablespoons orange juice - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice - 2 tablespoons olive oil * - 1 tablespoon honey * - Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper - 12 ounces radishes, trimmed and each cut into wedges * - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves * - 1 medium cucumber roughly peeled chopped * - ½ cup finely chopped green onions *

In a large bowl whisk together the cider, orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, and honey. Taste and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the radish wedges, cilantro, cucumber, and green onions. Toss gently and refrigerate for at least an hour making sure to toss the salad midway through its time in the refrigerator.

Serve cold or at room temperature.

FOOD 35

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Yummy in my Tummy Antonio Banderas side of me to crop up from time to time! How about: tu es muy bonita Paula?

We love Paella! It is yummy in my tummy!! If you are not sure what dish to serve for upcoming events this summer; consider Paella. At Compliments to the Chef located at 46 Marion Avenue in Saratoga Springs,

by John Reardon for Saratoga TODAY Hello Foodie Friends. This time of year brings many family reunions, friendship gatherings, and special events that include great food and fun times!! Paella is a perfect party dish because it’s a one-pot meal, and because it feeds a crowd.

Paella is a rice dish from Spain that has become very popular and is known around the world.

It originated in the fields of a region called Valencia in eastern Spain. Paella is meant to show off the rice itself and to highlight a few special ingredients.

These can be vegetables, fish, shellfish or meat including sausage in seafood paella and you may also find chicken in it. Do not forget the saffron -- it is the essential spice of the dish.

Whatever paella you make, it should use short- or mediumgrain rice, which should be cooked uncovered in a flavorful stock. Spanish Bomba rice is

the best to use. It’s fun to make paella over a grill or on the stove.

However, it is important that you have the right pan for this dish; the Paella Pan! The Paella pan should be shallow and have sloping sides, which helps the rice cook evenly and develops more intense flavor. As the pans get larger, they grow in diameter rather than depth, which allows for more delicious socarrat. And like all authentic paella pans, they do not have matching lids (since paella is traditionally cooked in an open pan). We sell the traditional carbon steel pans and some stainless steel pans.

Either will work well for you.

A good pan has dimples on the

bottom to serve several functions. They trap small amounts of liquid and thus promote even cooking, they make the pan rigid, and they prevent warping. Now what the heck is socarrat? When you make paella, socarrat is the caramelized bottom layer of rice that sometimes forms on the pan. Many people consider the socarrat the prized part of the paella. Also, there is speculation that socarrat has aphrodisiac powers, and that it is what fuels the passion of those renowned Spanish lovers.

I myself am Irish, French and Italian so the passion is taken care of by the French and Italian parts. But I might like a little

we sell various sizes of Paella pans, saffron, and other cooking tools to help you with your creation. Stop by Saratoga Springs’ true kitchen essentials store for the supplies you need to eat, drink and be merry with family and friends! Remember: “Life Happens in the Kitchen” Take care, John and Paula .

36

LOCAL BRIEFS

Flower Show The Schuylerville Garden Club will present its annual National Garden Club Standard Flower Show entitled “Prose, Poetry and Posies” on Saturday, July 23 from 1 - 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 24 from Noon-4 p.m. in the Saratoga Town Hall, corner of Spring and Broad St in Schuylerville. There will be Floral Design, Horticulture and Photograph divisions. The floral and horticulture divisions will be judged by trained judges. The photos will be judged by the people attending the show. All divisions reflect a “Book Titles” theme. The show will also include plant, glove and bake sales, prizes from a benefit table, youth and special exhibits and a “Floral Design” Demonstration on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. by Tim Healey, floral designer who will use designs to portray popular story book titles.

Admission and refreshments are free. For more information, go to www.schuylervillegardenclub.org.

Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation summer Stroll: Post Time Meet on the SE Corner of Nelson & Union Avenues. Explore the Saratoga Race Course area along Union Avenue with Georgia Horner. The stroll begins at 10:30 a.m. and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Tour features the Reading Rooms, National Museum of Racing, Oklahoma Track, and the Fasig-Tipton Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion. Tickets are $5 for Members and $8 for Non-members.

The tour is sponsored by Druthers Brewing Company. Premiere Summer Sponsor is Stewart’s Shops.

For more information, visit www. saratogapreservation.org.

4th Annual Hay, Oats and Spaghetti Please join us as an official sponsor of the 4th Annual Hay, Oats and Spaghetti, a very special evening of casual dining and cocktails with friends on Monday, July 25.

Building from the huge success of prior years, the event will take place at Bravo!, 3246 S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, and will kick off the Saratoga racing meet by

welcoming horse industry friends old and new back to town. The entire evening has been generously donated by the owners of Bravo! and Mama Mia’s Restaurant, Lauren and Giuseppe Grisio. All proceeds will support the Thoroughbred Retirement foundation and the compassionate aftercare it provides to retired racehorses. By becoming a sponsor you will give back to these beautiful animals who give so much to us. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: www. trfinc.org.

Film - Modern Ruin: A World’s Fair Pavilion The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, in partnership with Universal Preservation Hall, invite you to join us at the Universal Preservation Hall, located at 25 Washington St., in Saratoga Springs a free screening of “Modern Ruin: A World’s Fair Pavilion”

by Matthew Silva and Aquarela Pictures. The film tells the story of the pavilion, its varied uses, years of neglect, and growing advocacy to save this landmark. The film screening begins at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30). A panel discussion to follow film. Premiere Summer Sponsor: Stewart’s Shops. For more information, visit www. saratogapreservation.org.

Saratoga Friends New Saratoga Friends is a social group for baby boomers who are new to the Saratoga area and are interested in making new friends to socialize with. We also welcome folks who are not new to the area but want to make new friends. 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.

You are welcome to join us in the Susman Room at the Saratoga Springs Public Library on Tuesday, July 26 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. For more info or questions contact newsaratogafriends@gmail.com or join our New Saratoga Friends Meetup group (also free; go to www.

Meetup.com).

Gospel Tent Meeting Free Spirit Fellowship is hosting a Gospel Tent Meeting July 26 – July 29 at 7 p.m. Join us as we experience the blessings of God through music and The Word. The church is located at 1425 W. High St. in

Ballston Spa. For questions or more information call (518) 885-3149.

Horses, History and Handicapping Sponsored by Thorofan. The Academy for Lifelong Learning presents a special 4-week summer program Tuesday evenings at Longfellows Conference Center located at 500 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs. July 26, August 2, 16 and 23, 7:00-8:30pm, 7/26: Matt Muzikar - jockey agent , 8/2: Gary Contessa – trainer. 8/16: Chad Summers - handicapper and manager, 8/23: Teresa Genaro - turf writer. With special appearances from handicapper Tom Amello Open to the Public.

Admission includes assorted cookies, soft drinks, milk and water. General Public Admission: $55 for all 4 sessions or $15 per session at the door, Academy or ThoroFan Member Admission: $50 for 4 sessions or $15 at the door. Registration is required for 4-session package by July 19. For more information or to become a member ($60), contact the Academy office vera.kasson@esc. edu or 587-2100 x2415. Seating is limited.

Picnic Honoring All Military and Veterans On July 31, Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161, located at 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs is honoring all military and veterans, active and retired in the local area with a family-oriented picnic at our lodge from Noon to 4 p.m. Military and veterans are invited to bring your family members with you, kids of all ages too. Fun activities for everyone.

Lunch will be served from Noon until 3 p.m. Activities: Horseshoe tournament, dream ponies and zoo will be there for pony rides and petting zoo from 1 – 3 p.m. DJ Patty Reynolds with music and kid’s entertainment, cake walk. Please call the lodge at (518) 584-2585 or Debbie Gerber (518) 791-1025 to let us know how many from your family or group will be attending.

Burnt Hills Oratorio Summer Sing Lose yourself in music, friends and ice cream. Join The Burnt Hills Oratorio Society for its second Summer Sing, Tuesday, August 2, 5:30 at Lakeside Farms Pavilion in Ballston Lake. Here is your chance to lift your voice in song with

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016 others. Come prepared to make your own ice cream sundae (Thank you, Stewart’s Shops!) and sing the Mozart Requiem and a selection of songs from Broadway musicals.

Music will be provided. Bring spouses, family, and friends. The cost is $10 per person which covers the cost of the event. For more info, www.bhos.us, or just show up! Lakeside Farms, 336 Schauber Road, Ballston Lake, rain or shine.

Hudson River Piecemakers Quilt Show The Quilt show will be held at Hadley Luzerne High School located at 273 Lake Ave. in Lake Luzerne. On Saturday, August 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, August 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $6 or $5 with a canned good for the local food pantry Quilt appraisals (fee) are available by appt.

Call (518) 370-1667.

SommerFest St. Peter Lutheran Church to host “SommerFest”, August 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a tag sale, food, and free family fun activities. All proceeds to benefit social services camp program for local children. The Church is located at 2776 Route 9 (across from Malta Drive-In) for more information call the church at (518) 583-4153 (leave message).

Tee-Off for TRF/PDJF The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) have teamed up to organize a lively day of golf and games during Travers week to benefit the two vital non-profit organizations. The first annual “Tee-Off for TRF/PDJF” will be held at McGregor Links Country Club on Tuesday, August 23.

Breakfast buffet starts at 10 a.m. with a shot-gun start before noon.

A cocktail lunch, catered by the new Maestro’s at McGregor, opens at 4:30 p.m. Eclipse Award winning jockey and TRF Board Member, Richard Migliore will host the event. The cost is $225 per golfer and this includes cart, greens fees, breakfast, tee-favors, cocktails and lunch. There will be contests all day and an awards presentation during the cocktail luncheon.

For those who wish to come only for cocktails and lunch at 4:30 p.m., the cost is $50 per person.

Sponsorships to support the day

and the work of the charities are available. For more information, visit http://www.trfinc.org/event/ golf/ , or call (518)226-0028.

Walk with Compassion Capital Region Walk with Compassion is the walk to end child poverty.

Compassion International’s new fundraising walk series, Walk with Compassion, was created to address the challenges of vulnerable children around the world that go beyond what monthly sponsorship covers.

The money we raise together helps to fund critical needs such as: medical emergencies, disaster relief, HIV/AIDS response, caring for unsponsored children, clean water, and much more. The walk will take place at the Halfmoon Town Hall on August 27 at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.walkwithcompassion.com.

Old Saratoga Seniors Trip to Lake George Steamboat The Old Saratoga Seniors are hosting a trip to the Lake George Steamboat company, the Lac du Saint Sacrement, with a buffet lunch and entertainment, on Friday, September 23, 2016. Bus leaves Saratoga Train Station at 9:30 a.m. and the American Legion in Schuylerville at 10:00 a.m.; returning approximately 4 pm.

Checks payable to Old Saratoga Seniors for $36 and mail to Mary Lamora, 19 Seward St. D16, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 by August 4. For further info call Mary, (518) 584-7986.

Bus Trip to House of Ephesus Shrine & Chapel in Vermont The bus trip will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 and is sponsored by Ct. Stella Maris, #396 Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Bus departs at 8 a.m. from Notre Dame Visitation, Schuylerville, will pick up at K-Mart, Greenwich and St. Patrick’s Church, Cambridge.

Please bring your own lunch and beverage. Scheduled return will be approximately 5 to 5:30 p.m. Cost is $25.00 per person, payment is due at registration. For reservations and information, please call Marvil Patrick, (518) 695-3385.

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

CALENDAR 37

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016 with it. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.dancemuseum.org and call (518)584-2225 x3001 to make a reservation.

Friends Advantage Sale

Family Friendly Event

Friday, July 15 Family Yoga Congress Park (Heat/Rain location: Saratoga Springs Public Library) 11 a.m.

Bring a yoga mat or a blanket and join instructor, Amy Rosen behind the carousel in Congress Park for a 45-minute family yoga class. Kids of all ages and their grown-ups are welcome. Free, no registration necessary. In the case of inclement weather, we will meet in the H. Dutcher Community Room.

Saturday, July 16 Car Wash Fundraiser Saratoga Abundant Life Church, Corner of Hutchins Rd., and Route 50, Saratoga Springs, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The Hands & Feet Ministry will be having a car wash to raise money for service projects that bless the community. Cost is $8 for a car wash or $16 for exterior detailing.

Refreshments will also be available for purchase. For more information, email abundant.life@salchurch.org.

Stories from SPAC Series-Children of NYCB National Museum of Dance, 99 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 12:30 p.m.

In conjunction with the newest exhibit, 50 Years at SPAC, the presentation series will offer stories from former New York City Ballet performers about their time at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

The first session, focused on the children of the New York City Ballet, will take place in the Riggi Theater at the National Museum of Dance on July 16 at 12:30pm. Siobhan Dunham and Michele Pigliavento will share their stories as former New York City Ballet children dancers.

The sessions serve as a continued celebration of the 50th anniversary of SPAC and NYCB’s relationship

Saratoga Springs Public Library, First Floor, 49 Henry St., Saratoga Springs.

Friends of Saratoga Springs Public Library’s Book Shop has a Friends Advantage Sale from July 16 through July 24. The Friends Book Shop accepts cash, credit card and check and is located on the 1st floor of the library. These sales are for Members Only. Become a member of the Friends of the Library at the Shop’s register to take advantage of Members-Only sales. Friends of the Library’s reusable canvas grocery totes (“horse reading a book” logo) for sale for $10 plus tax, a fundraiser for our not-for-profit organization. Great for gifts with a horse-theme. Friends Book shop hours are Monday – Thursday (10 a.m. - 8 p.m.), Friday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) and Sunday (1 – 4 p.m.). For more information, call (518) 584-7860, ext. 233.

Genealogy and Local History Town of Saratoga Town Hall, corner of Rt. 4 and Rt. 29,Schuylerville, 1 p.m.

John Gearing, lawyer and a trustee of the Schenectady County Historical Society, will be the program leader at this month’s Heritage Hunters of Saratoga meeting. The topic will be, “Using Legal Records in Genealogical Research.” John’s experience includes several years at a title insurance firm, resulting in hundreds of land record searches in various New York State counties.

Useful organizational handouts will be available. Public is welcome. For information call (518) 587-2978.

Sunday, July 17

Children 5—12 $8, Under 5 Free, Take-outs $10. Call (518) 584-2585 for more information.

Dharma Meditation with Pierre Zimmerman One Big Roof, Center for Mindful Practices, 538 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Health & Wellness Building, Saratoga Springs, 9-10:15 a.m.

Weekly meditation followed by short discussion. All contemplative traditions honored. By donation. For more information call (413)992-7012 or visit www.oneroofsaratoga.com.

Jack Kelly - Heaven’s Ditch: God, Gold, and Murder on the Erie Canal Northshire Bookstore, 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 4 p.m.

Spend the afternoon with staff and bookseller favorite, popular historian Jack Kelly. The technological marvel of its age, the Erie Canal became the scene of the most striking outburst of imagination in American history, made New York the financial capital of America and brought the modern world crashing into the frontier. For more information on these or other events, call (518) 682-4200 or visit www.northshire.com.

Monday, July 18 Crepe Magic Saratoga Springs High School, 1 Blue Streaks Blvd., Saratoga Springs, 10 a.m. – Noon It’s easy to make those versatile Parisian thin pancakes with all the fillings. We’ll be making a dinner chicken teriyaki crepe and a dessert chocolate with fruit and whipped cream crepe.

Registration is $11, material fees $6. Register on-line at the district website – community continuing education or call (518)583-4782 with questions.

Tuesday, July 19

Breakfast Buffet

Free Outdoor Theater – Cyrano

Saratoga-Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Rt. 9, Saratoga Springs, 8:30 – 11 a.m.

Fruit cocktail, French toast, pancakes, potatoes, breakfast sausage and ham, corned beef hash, scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, juice, coffee and tea. Donation Requested: Adults $10, Seniors and Military (Active/Retired with ID Card) $9,

Congress Park, Downtown Saratoga Springs, 6 p.m.

Saratoga Shakespeare Company is celebrating the 16th summer season of free outdoor theater. We’ve added more additional programming in our continuing partnership with Skidmore College. This Free Production runs through July 30.

Romeo and Juliet will open on August 2 and runs through August 7.

Performances are at 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Skidmore Chamber Music Institute: Decoda Faculty Performance Zankel Music Center, Ladd Concert Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Decoda is a cutting-edge collective that around the globe, sparking personal connections between artists and audiences. $8 adults, $5 senior citizens and Skidmore community, free for students and children. For tickets, go to www.skidmore.edu/ zankel. For more information call (518) 580-5546.

Wednesday, July 20 Volkswalk for Fun, Fitness and Friendship Start point: County Parking Lot, Rt 67, Ballston Spa, 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Register 30 minutes before start.

A ‘volkswalk’ is a leisurely walk (typically 10k or 6.2 miles. A 3 mile route is also offered) through a scenic and or historic area over a premarked trail. Information is available at www.ava.org or www.walkescv. org.

Bicycle Tour Saratoga National Historic Park, Route 4 and State Route 32, Stillwater, 6 – 8 p.m.

A free, ranger guided 5 mile bike tourof Saratoga Battlefield. Meet in the parking lot. In case of inclement weather, bike tour will be cancelled.

Bring your bike, water, and insect repellent. Helmets required. For more information about these or other events at Saratoga National Historical Park, call the Visitor Center at (518) 670-2985.

Birds of Prey Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry St., Schuylerville, 6:30 p.m.

Join the Wildlife Institute of Eastern NY for a walk on the wild side.

Discover how these animals survive in the wild and how you can find them in their natural habitats.

Registration required. Open to all ages. For more information call (518) 695-6641.

Kingdoms of Consciousness Workshop Woodlawn Commons, 156 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, 6:30 p.m.

Albany-Saratoga Spiritual Adventures is hosting a workshop on Kingdoms of Consciousness.

Learn about the process of spiritual maturity and how you can move towards a deeper state of consciousness in your life. Suggested donation: $20. For more information, visit www.newthoughtnewyork.org or call (518) 366-9918.

Rubber Stamping MacFadden Administration Building, 3 Blue Streaks Blvd., Saratoga Springs, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Kids bring an adult to this beginner workshop. Learn how to create a card, treat-box and cute post-it note holder using rubber stamping techniques. Registration $11 includes both child and adult, material fee $5 per person. . Register on-line at the district website – community continuing education or call (518)583-4782 with questions.

Thursday, July 21 New York City Ballet Musicians and Friends Dee Sarno Theater, Saratoga Arts, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 4 p.m.

String Ensemble (Rolf Schulte, violin; Luellen Abdoo, violin; Derek Ratzenboeck, viola; Eugene Moye, cello) performing works of Mozart, Berio, Schubert. Suggested donation: $7. For more information, visit www. saratoga-arts.org.

Free Concert in the Park Wiswall Park, Front St., Ballston Spa, 6 – 8 p.m.

The concert series is free to the public. This week’s concert features, Deena Chappell and the Crazyland Sages (Swing/Rock). For more information, visit www.ballston.org.

Guardians of the Treasure The Riggi Theater, The National Museum of Dance, 99 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 7:30 p.m.

The Creative Place International and The National Museum of Dance present a stage production of Guardians of the Treasure by Dr. Selma Nemer and Gabrielle Nemer.

Adapted and Directed by Mary Jane Hansen. Special Show to benefit Mother Susan Anderson Women’s Shelter. Tickets: $25 adult / $10 child.

Call (518)584-7780 or visit http:// guardiansofthetreasure.bpt.me.

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

PULSE

38

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

week of 7/15-7/21 friday, 7/15:

sunday, 7/17:

Houde + Hofmanis, 9 pm @ Bentley’s — 899.4300

The Heaters, 4 pm @ Carson’s Woodside Tavern — 584.9791

Harpeth Rising, 7 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583.0022

Steve Candlen, 9 pm @ Druthers — 306.5275

Phil Drum, 7 pm @ Carson’s Woodside Tavern — 584.9791

Kids Open Mic, 1 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359

Tailspin, 10 pm @ Caroline St. Pub — 583.9400

Maurizio Russomanno, 3 pm @ Harvey’s — 583.0003

The Remainders, 9 pm @ Druthers — 306.5275

Live Jazz Brunch, 10 am @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563

Skippy + The Pistons, 9 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359

Hot Club of Saratoga, 3 pm @ The Saratoga Winery — 584.9463

The Toga Boys, 9:30 pm @ Harvey’s — 583.0003

Steve Candlen, 9 pm @ Druthers — 306.5275

Brother’s Tadpole, 8 pm @ Nanola — 587.1300

monday, 7/18:

Jim Wilson Quartet, 9 pm @ 9 Maple Avenue — 583.2582 Crispin Catricalla, 6 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 Rob Fleming, 7 pm @ Peabody’s — 886.8673 Andy Iorio, 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Band of Ghosts, 8 pm @ Putnam Den — 584.8066 Pints + Punchlines Comedy Night, 9 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916 Sean Lyons, 9 pm @ The Rusty Nail — 371.9875 Seth Warden Trio, 6 pm @ The Saratoga Winery — 584.9463 EB Jeb, 9 pm @ Trick Shot Billiards — 383.8771 Rob Aronstein, 7 pm @ Wishing Well — 584.7640

Jeff Walton, 6:30 pm @ Brook Tavern — 871.1473

tuesday, 7/19: Rich Ortiz, 10 pm @ Caroline St. Pub — 583.9400 Open Mic w/ Rick Bolton, 8 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359

wednesday, 7/20: Hot Club of Saratoga, 8 pm @ Hamlet + Ghost — 450.7287 The Masters of Nostalgia, 8:30 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 Andy Iorio (Inside), 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Larry Hooker (Outside), 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Celtic Session, 7 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916

saturday, 7/16:

Karaoke, 9 pm @ The Rusty Nail — 371.9875

Del Rey, 7 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583.0022

thursday, 7/21:

Rob Fleming, 7 pm @ Carson’s Woodside Tavern — 584.9791 The Diva Project, 10 pm @ Caroline St. Pub — 583.9400 Radio Junkies, 9 pm @ Druthers — 306.5275 Acoustic Circus, 9 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359 Manic City Radio, 10 pm @ Harvey’s — 583.0003 Dave Fisk Quartet, 9 pm @ 9 Maple Avenue — 583.2582 Tailspin, 9 pm @ Peabody’s — 886.8673 Pat Daley, 6 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 Andy Iorio, 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Fenimore Blues, 8 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916 Pat Decker, 3 pm @ The Saratoga Winery — 584.9463 Rob Aronstein, 7 pm @ Wishing Well — 584.7640

Open Mic, 7 pm @ Caffè Lena — 583.0022 Matty Finn, 6 pm @ Carney’s Tavern — 952.7177 Open Mic, 10 pm @ Circus Café — 583.1106 Gwen Tracy Trio, 8 pm @ Gaffney’s — 587.7359 Pat Decker, 6 pm @ Harvey’s — 583.0003 Hot Club of Saratoga, 7 pm @ Mouzon House — 226.0014 Chris Carey + Mike O’Donnell, 8 pm @ One Caroline — 587.2026 George Giroux (Inside), 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Rich Ortiz (Outside), 6:30 pm @ Primetime Ultra Lounge — 583.4563 Michelle Shocked, 8:30 pm @ Putnam Den — 584.8066 Celtic Session, 7 pm @ The Parting Glass — 583.1916

39 PULSE

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

My New Neighborhood Looks Strangely Like the Old One…

by Arthur Gonick Saratoga TODAY SKIES ABOVE SARATOGA —Once again, good day ladies and gents, and thank you for flying PULSE Airways… this is your Captain speaking.

Delighted to be at the controls again.

We anticipate a smooth arrival at our destination – the Saratoga Season. In the meantime, I have turned on the fasten seat belt sign, as we will have to do some navigation to get through to it, which may involve some twists and turns, to wit:

An Idea Who’s Time Has Come!

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Every good weekend starts with a great Happy Hour, and on Thursday July 21, Chef Brian Maxwell and Bartender Jai Silva will host The Crown Grill’s “Make Your Own” Happy Hour.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., guests will be presented with two specialty cocktail options to choose from along with a demonstration of how each cocktail is created. In addition, “Make your own” flatbreads will be offered to pair with these cocktails. Each guest will receive two flatbreads and have an assortment of signature toppings to choose from (fresh mozzarella, artichoke hearts, arugula, heirloom tomatoes, Andouille sausage, and many more) with which they can make their own creations. This is an interactive and informative session featuring feedback and suggestions by the Chef. Cost to attend “Make your own happy hour” is $10 per guest and includes one cocktail, two flatbreads and an assortment of

fresh toppings. Signing up via email is recommended (crown@crowngrillsaratoga.com) but drop-ins are also welcome. Wear your own “Crown” at 390 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

Jake’s Wheel: Part Two. Finest Fillies and Some Colts SARATOGA SPRINGS — It’s lunchtime, and it appears I may need to order a plate of crow. Yes, those who read my missive on Post Positions 1-4 last week will know doubt remember that I singled out PP 3 for last place honors… however, we must be fair and note that the Colt 45 boys Michael Billok and Todd Shimkus pulled off a superior fundraising event, with less-thansuperior beverages, and rung the bell to the tune of 1,600 smackers to benefit Jake’s Help From Heaven – stamping them, according to my co-conspirators – Heather and Brian Straughter – as contenders, and I must agree. Furthermore, I must salute Mr. Michael for being too nice of a guy to be any kind of success as a lawyer, and Mr. Todd for being merely the best Chamber of Commerce President – anywhere - I have ever met – and this hobo has ridden the rails, as it were.

Good thing it tastes like chicken….

But I digress: Herewith are thumbnails of the remaining posts 5-9; and in this case I am only familiar with one team – so I relied on Heather and Brian for some background, as well as inviting some of

the teams to submit a mission statement. Everyone in the pool!

PP 5: Johanna Friedman,

trained by Julie Cox. These ‘hulks’ intend to take all to school – as they are equipped to do as SSHS faculty.

Johanna is the only original filly running. Trainer Julie says: “Get your pencils ready, kids. It’s time for class, and English teachers Johanna and Julie are primed to school the competition! This is Johanna’s fifth year as a Filly (winning once before), and with rookie trainer Julie they have an A+ combination of experience and enthusiasm.”

PP 6: Michael Hoffman, trained by Susana Hoffman.

“I’ve had this colt in training for 45 years,” says Susana with pride.

Indeed, this pairing is not the only

husband/wife team on the board, but certainly the most seasoned.

They have always supported each other in business as well as life, not to mention the raising of their only child, a fine individual known as Heather, although on Wednesday, July 20, she will be known as ‘Vanna.’ Sometimes luck is the result of good planning, which appears to be the case here.

PP 7: Justin Hogan, trained by Steph Cash Hogan. The second of two husband/wife pairings - and winner of PULSE’s best team photo prize.

To make a good soufflé you start with the best ingredients, and this principle seems in effect here. Steph writes: “We’re two first time starters, but

I’ve been training colt Justin Hogan for years now. A Saratoga Springs native, I’m ready to push him to his full potential through every furlong.”

My only concern with this entry is that Justin may feel compelled to be overly ethical, which has NO place in this field. But, combining Justin’s work ethic mixed with overall steadiness and Stephanie’s young energy they are sure to be a crowd favorite on race day.

Lisa Miller – Studio diLuce

PP 8: Natalie Sillery, Trained by Elaine Sillery – No statement needed to be issued from this pair – their record speaks for itself. Keyword: Continued on page 40.

PULSE

40 on!

Continued from page 39.

winners. In life, in everything they do. If that is not enough, Natalie steps down as a multi-year MC of this same event, deferring to Mr. Tom Durkin – but make no mistake: she’s still holding the keys to the Rolls Royce that is Finest Fillies. With trainer Elaine, possessor of a top-5 all-time smile, it all adds up to a formidable force from an outside post. Major contender for both the money pledged and game title.

PP 9: Erin Smith, trained by Tammy Haarman – They call their team the ‘Average Joes’ but I think they are looking to lull the field to sleep. Erin does reveal: “The Average Joes will bring the fun to Vapor! I have 3 boys and Tammy has 3 girls.

A modern day Brady Bunch!” Well, I know which team my mom is betting

So there you have it. A power line-up for Wednesday, July 20th’s event at Vapor – 7 p.m. is when the wheel starts spinning. For every $10 bet placed, you are entered for a raffle that will be pulled after the game. The prizes include: - A two-night stay at the Intercontinental Barclay in Manhattan with breakfast - An overnight at the Meadowmere Resort in Ogunquit, ME - An overnight at the Sheraton Syracuse University with two tickets to either a SU basketball or football game - A Lisa Miller “The Foal Project” photo.

Also, everyone who registers by July 20 at noon will be entered to win a day at the track on September 4, with a private box and gift certificate for Sperry’s – Donated by Scott and Julie Johnson. Visit JakesHelpFromHeaven. org to get tickets.

For fun alone, this is PULSE’s pick as the do-notmiss event of the season. But let’s remember the reasons why ALL these PP’s are winners: Since 2011, the JHFH Foundation has awarded over $300,000 in grants to those living with multiple medical challenges within 100 miles of Saratoga Springs; and have already awarded over $65,000 this year.

RIDE-ing Into Town SARATOGA SPRINGS

— Marc Berger and RIDE(at right) will be rockin’ Congress Park this Sunday, July 17 at 7 p.m. Marc has performed at Austin’s SXSW Music Festival, the Kerrville Folk Festival, has opened shows for Bob Dylan and other national acts, and will be showcasing at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival next month. His song “The Last One” was a staple of Richie Havens’ concerts for over twenty-five years. Marc’s critically acclaimed current release, RIDE, is a collection of songs that explore the romance of the American West. It’s gotten national airplay and terrific reviews and Starbucks has licensed it for worldwide in-store airplay. You can hear tracks at marcbergermusic. com. He’s also currently in the studio working on a new album with Tony Garnier, Bob Dylan’s bandleader and bassist, and drummer, Dan Rieser (Norah Jones, Roseanne Cash). It’s a genre-bending project called FOLK MUSIC, and the band will be previewing some of that material in combination with RIDE’s sonic Western vistas on Sunday night. Based on what I’ve heard before, you should bring your dancin’ shoes...

We Advocate…

SARATOGA SPRINGS — There will be more on this next week, but we advocate you make plans to celebrate those

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

who advocate for horses – and to attend the 15th Annual Equine Advocates Awards Dinner and Charity Auction on Friday, July 29, at 6 p.m. at the Canfield Casino. The honorees will be legendary Trainer Jonathan Sheppard as well as Steve and Lisa Caporizzo.

Numerous tantalizing auction items abound, including Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup packages – PULSE likes the meet and greet with Kelly Ripa, a big fan of Saratoga TODAY. Tickets always gallop out fast, so get yours by calling 518-392-0175.

Gonna Get Pretty ScaryToga Friday SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Friday, July 15, the Bow Tie Criterion Cinema in Downtown Saratoga Springs is the place to be for the Ghostbuster Premiere and public launch of The ScaryToga Project. ScaryToga Project will be hosting the premier showing of the new Ghostbusters.

Meet and greet local Psychics Michelle Ann, Katie Manning

Hilton, author Mason Winfield and a hometown all girl ghost investigators SPRT (Saratoga P a r a n o r m a l Research Team).

This miniParaPalooza runs 5 to 7 p.m. in the Lobby and out front of the Bow Tie, complete with Carriages, The Costumer Hearse, and that Real Lady Ghostbuster Team. Film showing begins at 7 p.m.

No word on the Sta-Puff Marshmallow Man’s whereabouts at press time.

I Got Chills, they’re Multiplying…

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Saratoga Children’s Theatre announces live performances of Grease at the JBK (Janet Kinghorn Bernhard) Theater, Skidmore College on Friday July 22 and Saturday July 23, at 1 and 7 p.m. Local teens, ranging in age from 13-18 will be starring in the musical. All tickets are sold at the door - General admission is $10.

Kids 10 and under are FREE. Refreshments will be available.

Here is Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hotrodding “Burger Palace Boys” and their gum-snapping, hipshaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. Head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their “Summer Nights” as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as “Greased Lightnin’”, “It’s Raining on Prom Night”, “Alone at the Drive-In Movie” recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation. An eight-year run on Broadway and two subsequent revivals along with innumerable school and community productions place Grease among the world’s most popular musicals.

For more information, visit the saratogachildrenstheatre.org.

Ladies and Gentlemen: Your Captain again. We have received clearance for final approach for the Saratoga Season. Thanks again for flying PULSE Airways, and wherever you go – have a blast!

41 PULSE

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

“You Can Leave Your Hat On!” Hats Off to Saratoga – Friday and Saturday – July 22-23

The Bluz House Rockers have played more Hats Off Festivals than any other… despite many members still not being old enough to drive! See these kids on Friday, July 22 – right on Caroline!

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce will host the 2016 Hats Off Music Festival on Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23 throughout Downtown Saratoga Springs. The festivals are both nights and will begin at 7 p.m. and end at 11 p.m.

The festival will feature six bands and entertainers at various locations.

The performance schedule will be as follows: Friday, July 22 The Hot Club of Saratoga Springs in front of Adirondack Trust - 7-8; 8:15-9:30; 10-11 Alan Darcy in front of Ben and Jerry’s - 7-8:30; 9:30-11 Bluz House Rockers

on Caroline Street – 7-8; 8:15-9:30; 10-11 Sirsy on Division Street - 7-7:45; 8-8:45; 9-9:45; 10-10:45 Racing City Chorus in front of Saratoga Tea & Honey Co. - 7-7:45; 8-8:45; 9-9:45; 10-10:45 Porch Fire in front of Savory Pantry - 7-8:30; 9:30-11 Saturday, July 23 Fenimore Blues in front of Adirondack Trust - 7-8; 8:15-9:30; 10-11 Alan Darcy in front of Ben and Jerry’s - 7-8:30; 9:30-11 Sirsy on Division Street - 7-7:45; 8-8:45; 9-9:45; 10-10:45

Erin Harkes Band on Division Street - 7-8; 8:15-9:30; 10-11 Racing City Chorus in front of Saratoga Tea & Honey Co. - 7-7:45; 8-8:45; 9-9:45; 10-10:45 Porch Fire in front of Savory Pantry - 7-8:30; 9:30-11 “The Hats Off Festival has been one of the longest running festivals in Downtown Saratoga Springs,” said Todd Shimkus, President of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. “With live entertainment, along with various activities going on throughout Downtown, the festival is geared toward all demographics to enjoy a night out after a day at the races.”

saturday, July 16, 2016, 10AM - 6PM Saratoga Springs city center

general Admission $5, Free for kids 12 & under

PLANNED EVENTS INCLUDE: Sampling and Purchasing Booths Featuring Chip Brands from Across the Country Explore a Potato Chip History Display Enjoy Family-Friendly Entertainment, Games, and More!

TheChipFestival.com PRESENTING SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS Ballreich’s • Better Made Snack Foods Saratoga Chips • Price Chopper / Market 32 Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau • Way Better Snacks

DESIGN, COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING SPONSORS

Q: What’s a five-letter word for why the crowds are all massed on Division Street? A: Sirsy! Friday and Saturday night.

42 It’s where NEED to be.

YOU

Publication Day: Friday

Ad Copy Due: Wednesday, noon

Space Reservation Due: Monday, 5 p.m.

ADOPTION A childless married couple seeks to adopt. Lots of love, happiness, security. Fulltime mom & devoted dad.

Financial security. Expenses paid. Geraldine & Charlie.

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CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE

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Call (518) 581-2480 x204 WANTED TO BUY

AUTO DONATIONS

DIVORCE

CASH FOR DIABETIC TEST STRIPS Up to $35/Box! Sealed & Unexpired. Payment Made SAME DAY. Highest Prices Paid! Call JENNI Today! 800-413-3479 www.CashForYourTestStrips.com

Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting MakeA-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

HELP WANTED

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

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

AUCTIONS AUCTION, Online w/Bid Center, Olde Beau Golf & Country Club, Golf Course, Lots, Land & Houses, Roaring Gap, NC, Begins Closing 8/4/16, Selling Regardless of Price at the End of the Auction, ironhorseauction.com, 800.997.2248, NCAL 3936

FOR RENT OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Resort Services. 1-800-6382102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE BETHLEHEM, NH: Auction: August 5, 3BR Ranch on 5± Acres. Mountain Views, 2-Car Detached Garage, Open Kitchen/ Dining, Deck. (NH#2661).

THCAuction.com (800) 634-SOLD

Mountain Top Liquidation 30 Mile Views! 4.3 Acres only $29,900. 90 mins from the city! Excellent Financing Call Now 888-320-0920

43

SPORTS 45

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

The Lasting Effects of Free Agency

by Damian Fantauzzi for Saratoga TODAY Currently, it is rare for professional athletes to play their entire career for one franchise. But that was not always the case. Before free agency existed, sports teams held nearly complete control over individual players. Contracts contained ‘reserve’ clauses, which forced players to stay with one team. Players only changed teams if they were traded, released or chose to retire from the sport.

In 1969, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Curt Flood became the first professional athlete to fight for free agency rights.

Flood challenged Major League Baseball’s reserve clause, alleging it violated antitrust laws and his 13th Amendment rights.

After discovering he was being traded from the Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies, Flood wrote a letter to baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn protesting the trade, claiming he was entitled to consider contract offers from other teams before making a decision.

Commissioner Kuhn denied the outfielder¹s petition, so Flood sued Major League Baseball for antitrust violations.

In 1972, Flood v. Kuhn reached the U.S. Supreme Court.

The court ruled against Flood in a 5-3 decision, stating that baseball was a sport and not a business, and therefore exempt from antitrust law. The three judges who voted for Flood maintained that the ruling was improper because baseball is a business due to its ability to bring millions of dollars in profits to owners.

Although unsuccessful, Flood’s challenge helped open the door for other players to fight the reserve clause in an attempt to

abolish it from sports. In 1974, baseball union leader Marvin Miller encouraged pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally to play out the year without signing a contract. After the season, the players filed a grievance with MLB, claiming that they should be awarded freedom in an article. Owners disagreed, arguing that one-year contracts under the reserve clause were perpetually renewed.

On December 23, 1975, arbitrator Peter Seitz reversed the Supreme Court’s original verdict and declared that Major League Baseball players had the right to become free agents upon playing one year for their team without a contract. The ruling forever terminated the reserve clause from sports, paving the way toward modern free agency. Major League Baseball also implemented federal arbitration of salary demands, which allowed players to negotiate their salary when their contract expired. The change wrestled further control away from team owners, and gave players freedom to block trades and request higher salaries.

In 1976, Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association signed an agreement, which allowed players with at least six years of experience to become free agents. The National Football League became the second North American sport to adopt a similar free agency policy in 1992, followed by the National Hockey League in 1995 and the National Basketball League in 1996. Most of the above information comes from an article I discovered from the “Villanova University Alliance,” an academic periodical coming from the University.

While free agency inevitably helped sports evolve, it has served as a source of frequent discontent between players and team owners. Players have regularly disputed with owners over the right to receive sufficient compensation for the amount of profit they help generate. Conversely, team owners have concerns that free agency leads to higher salaries for star players, which may have a negative impact on the overall competitiveness of the league.

The first week of NBA free

agency is officially in the books.

Enormous deals, superstars signing elsewhere and a few bargains highlighted the first week in free agency. While some teams dramatically improved their roster, others made a few jaw dropping, puzzling decisions that are leaving their fans confused and disappointed.

Kevin Durant was the big prize of this year’s group of NBA free agents, going to the Western Conference Champs who found a way to convince him to play ball in Golden State. The Thunder were favored to hang on to their four-time scoring champion, but a chance at winning a title with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green was just not something Durant was going to pass up. Can Durant fit in with the Warriors’ system? That remains to be seen, but the scenario makes for a must-watch basketball for the coming season of the NBA. I can see that there might be even a bigger domination by the Warriors with the addition of Durant.

The concept of free agency has changed the world of professional athletics. Imagine what kind of money Mickey Mantle would have compiled, during an era when a player’s career was with one team that could last for 15 years, or longer. Greats like Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Carl Yastrzemski, and even Babe Ruth, to name a few, with the comparison of the dollar then to the dollar of today. History might look different if those stars of yesterday were eligible to become free agents.

Webster’s Dictionary has defined a free agent as a person who is able to act freely without being controlled by someone else, and also states that a professional athlete (such as a baseball player) who is free to sign a contract to play for any team.

The concept of free agency has changed the face of all professional athletics; each sport has its own rules relating to what dictates a free agent. In a nutshell, it’s all the same, a player and his or her agent, who sort of becomes the

legal voice for the player - have to negotiate the parameters of a contract. When an athlete becomes free and if he/she is a really good player, there will be offers that will exceed their current salary.

There is no doubt that the concept of free agency benefits the athlete more than the franchise, even though it gives every team in the organization a chance to bid on a really good player.

Players finally have a voice about their own talents and can market themselves for their own good.

On the other hand, free agency has changed the face of loyalty, a kinsmanship, if you will, of allegiance to one team, one city and one franchise. Those days are gone and I don’t see that changing.

Maybe there should be a free agency clause for those of us who were and are public servants, such as teachers, police officers, and firemen...just saying. This might be an area that can be considered more important than the world of professional athletics. Just a chuckle!

You Goal, U14 Girls!

WILTON — Congratulations to the Saratoga Wilton Soccer Club’s U14 Girls Blue Streaks! The team completed their Spring Outdoor CDYSL season undefeated with a record of 9-0 and placed first in their division. The team scored an impressive 41 goals while goalie Gwyn Long allowed only 3 the entire season.

Fabulous work, ladies!

The team was coached by Joe Powers and consisted of Amber Flynn, Lindsey Fish, Hailey VonAhn, Annie Naughton, Kalli Hewitt, Zoe Cubanski, Maddie O’Malley, Lucy MacLean, Haley Blatchford, Gwyn Long, Kaela Ellis, Emily Sherlock, Alexa

Hercamp, Amanda Marcolin, Norah Dempsey (not pictured) and Emilia Brueggemann (not pictured).

For more information about the Saratoga Wilton Soccer Club, visit http://swysc.net or email our club registrar at SWSC_registrar@hotmail.com.

46

SPORTS

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

COMMUNITY SPORTS BULLETIN Zumba at Gavin Park Ditch the workout, and join the PARTY! This Latin inspired workout program is not your typical workout. This workout will get you moving to music, while actually enjoying yourself.

Pre-registration is required at least one business day prior. No drop-ins allowed (pre-registration required).

BTW, Our gym has air conditioning! Fee per session: Wilton Res. - $45; Saratoga School Dist.- $55; Other- $60. Sessions are on Mondays from 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. from July 11 ­August 15.

Register at Gavin Park or online: https:// ac t ivenet018.ac t ive.com/ wiltonrecreation/

Saratoga Springs Ice Rink Open for Summer Fun Join us for summer fun at the ice rink! Open Public, Open Stick, Open Adult Hockey and Open Figure sessions will be offered.

Call 518-587-3550 x 2300, 518-583-3462 or visit SaratogaRec.com for more information. See you there!

Saratoga Springs Recreation 2016 Summer Clinics and Programs The Saratoga Springs Recreation Department will again be offering an extensive and varied list of programs and clinics for summer 2016. Choose from

boys and girls basketball, volleyball, baseball, field hockey, tennis, boys and girls lacrosse, soccer, cheerleading, skateboarding, softball, track, running, sandlot baseball, flag football and ice skating lessons.

2016 Fall Soccer Registration Has Begun Follow your goals with the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department’s 2016 Fall Soccer program.

This program is open to children grades Pre K-12 and will run September 10-October 29. Players will be separated by grade and exposed to skill development based on age and skill level. Register before August 15 in order to receive the Early Bird Discount.

Two volunteer coaches per team are needed at all levels.

2016 SUMMER BREAK TRIPLE THREAT BASKETBALL CAMP

Have some fun, make some friends, learn some basketball!

OPEN TO ALL CHILDREN AND RUN BY COACH TONY DEVIZZIO (cell-932-1525) (home-584-8092) THIS IS NOT A SARATOGA RECREATION PROGRAM, see sign-up information below.

-SARATOGA SPRINGS EAST SIDE RECREATION COURTS; MONDAY, JULY 25 – FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. AGES: 5-14 DIVISIONS FOR BOYS/GIRLS – (DEPENDENT ON READINESS LEVEL) -SKILL-DRILLS AND COMPETITIONS FOR SHOOTING, DRIBBLING, PASSING, ETC. 1 on 1, 2 on 2, 3 on 3 TOURNEY GAMES - FREE FREEZE-POPS EACH DAY, YOU SHOULD BRING SOMETHING TO DRINK AND ADDITIONAL SNACKS. CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY (ALL CONTESTS AND TOURNAMENT GAMES) - AWARDS CEREMONY – 11:30-11:45 a.m. - FRIDAY (LASTS 15 MINUTES - EVERYONE GETS SOMETHING!) $70 fee and form due before/or on first day. (checks made to: Tony Devizzio, 743 Malta Ave. Ext, Ballston Spa, NY 12020)

Send your sports stories or briefs to Arthur Gonick, Sports Editor at arthur@saratoga publishing.com

Puzzle solutions from pg. 33

Registration fee is waived for the child of each coach who registers by August 15.

Sign up at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue.

For additional information or to download forms go to www.SaratogaRec. com. Questions? Call 518587-3550 x2300 or email recreservations@saratogasprings.org.

1 Blue Streak Blvd.

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Ph: 587-6690, ext. 33304

Camp Saratoga 5K Trail Series The Camp Saratoga 5K Trail Series will be held on Mondays, July 25, August 8 and August 22, at 6:15 p.m. at Camp Saratoga, Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park.

The races are open to all and registration is $5 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and the Saratoga Spa State Park. Refreshments and raffle prizes afterwards. Grand prizes for best times for all 5 events, continual improvement and most family members. For more information visit www.saratogastryders. org or email laura@saratogastryders.org

Summer 2016 Recreation Center Hours The Saratoga Springs Recreation Department’s summer hours at the Recreation Center will be (through October 9) will be Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Recreation Center will be closed Monday, September 5. For additional information, call 518-5873550 x2300 or visit www.

SaratogaRec.com.

Summer Intro to Ice Skating Registration Join us on the ice this summer for Intro to Ice Skating. This Saratoga Springs Recreation Department program will introduce skaters ages 3 through adult to the exciting world of ice skating. Already know the basics?

This program will build upon skills already learned. A strong foundation can produce of lifetime of pleasure on the ice.

Sign up at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue For additional information or to download forms visit www.

SaratogaRec.com. Questions?

Call 518-587-3550 x2300 or email recreservations@saratoga-springs.org.

SPORTS 47

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

Sittin’ Pretty!

Saratoga Sevens Rugby Fest On Tap This Saturday WILTON — Saratoga Rugby Club will be hosting the Saratoga Sevens on Saturday, July 16 in Gavin Park! It will attract teams from the USA, Canada, England and current USA National Team players and future USA Olympic athletes! The tournament will feature around 50 teams (Youth 6-13, High School Boys and Girls, Senior Men and Women).

The event is a true festival catering to all people and has procured a huge sponsorship

with Red Bull for this year. Red Bull will provide its full team, MXT Truck (with TV’s, DJ, etc.), WigWam tent and sampling team.

There is also a vendor village with tournament and rugby merchandise for sale, food trucks and games for everyone.

While you are there, Gavin Park’s newly completed Splash Park is a perfect tie-in to a full day of rugby, food and sun. The US NAVY again returns to this year’s event as Ball Boys to each field – a

unique touch not to be missed.

The event plays out from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. over 5 fields and has been voted one of the top 5 tournaments in the country! With rugby returning to the Olympics this summer and the sport being the fastest growing in America (every age demographic and gender), there is never a better time to check out rugby.

In other words, time for a big Saturday scrum, chum!

- Arthur Gonick

Photos by Alli Ferraro - evoke photography & photo booth

Volume 11 • Issue 28

FREE

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2016

The

Starting Gate

See pages 25-32.

SPORTS

See Community Sports Bulletin. Page 46

Let’s Get the Party Started!

Well, okay. You ask and we deliver! First of all, meet the mighty, mighty ambassadors from the Saratoga Rugby Club, who will be hosting the Saratoga Sevens Festival on Saturday, July 16 in Gavin Park! See page 47. Let’s talk racing: A comprehensive preview of the 2016 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course. See pages 25-32. Let’s talk fun: PULSE is power-packed with a big, big Hats Off preview – see pages 37-40. Yes, it is time to let the (fun and) games begin!