Your Homtowne December 2012

COMPLIMENTARY

DECEMBER 2012

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From Scotia to Ballston Spa, covering the Route 50 Corridor

Now taking New Years Eve Reservations!

$169/Couple!

9pm - 1am 4 COURSE MENU and OPEN BAR

A Family oriented and family run Italian Restaurant in Ballston Spa, NY. We feature a traditional Italian menu, freshly prepared by our Gourmet Chef!

Live Entertainment from Switchpoint See our facebook page for details!

Gift Certificates Available Holiday Catering (both on and off premises)

Dinner for Two

SPECIAL $39.99

Includes a shared appetizer 2 entrees up to $16.99 2 desserts Valid Sunday thru Thursday. Max 2 people per table with this coupon. Dine-in only.

Not valid on holidays or with other offers.

Expires 1/20/13

Three Olives Ballston Spa 490-2093

Serving Dinner Tues-Sat from 3PM. Sundays from Noon 2100 Doubleday Avenue (Route 50) • Carousel Village Plaza 518-490-2093 • www.threeolivesonline.com

For Advertising Info: 265.1105

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yourhometowne@gmail.com

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w w w. y o u r- h o m e t o w n e. c o m

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From Scotia to Ballston Spa, covering the Route 50 Corridor

A message from Making Traditions or Breaking Traditions? During the holiday season all of our families; regardless of faith, have their own traditions that they feel they must follow. Whether it's a family party that occurs every year on the holiday or a certain dish that must be served, there is something in us that makes us bring our history forward. These steadfast traditions are instilled in us to carry forward to our own families. But what happens when families blend?

TOWN IN BLOOM The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Rotary sponsored Town in Bloom project completed another year with the beautiful community gardens at the corner of Lakehill and Route 50, the barrels at the Kingsley Road corner, the Town Hall and signs at the entrance of the town.

A special Thank You to the many community members who gave donations to the project, The Town of Ballston for the important role of watering the plants and the volunteers who joined Rotarians with the care of the plants.

The gardens were put to sleep for the winter in late October, we look forward to continued community support for the awakening of our gardens this upcoming spring!

Please consider a donation of any amount.

This holiday season I have decided to create some new traditions. Our families have grown, there are babies and toddlers and pre-teens and teens in the mix. We can't all be everywhere at the same time without sacrificing or rushing.

One of my gifts to my family will be to allow them to relax.

I want them to enjoy the holidays at their pace. I am not going to try to be everywhere at the same time and I don't expect our children to either. I want my family to create their own traditions and not worry about following mine. If they want to spend Christmas Eve snuggled by the tree with their children then they should. If they want to stop by and visit, they are welcome. If I don't see them till the day after Christmas I'm OK with that, as long as I see them. That doesn't mean we won't do most of our normal rituals. We will have stockings hung on the mantle stuffed with locally produced delicacies.

Yummy spices from Basic Foods and Garofalo's for the grownups, candies and toys for the children. The table will be filled with gourmet cheeses, roast beef, ham, fresh rolls, pies and cookies and homemade goodies. The difference this year is it will be it will be that way for 3 days to accommodate the train of family that will come through at their leisure. No pressure; that is my new tradition.

For many people in our area this holiday season will be especially difficult. Our community has suffered the loss of several young people over this past year in tragic accidents.

Please keep their families and friends in your prayers and remember to reach out to them when you can. Say a kind word; maybe a hug or just silent understanding for their loss to help them through the pain. Respect their privacy but be there when they need you.

Tell your family you love them and hug them extra tight.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Cheryll and Paul Hill

Comments and Input – Paul and Cheryll 280.5260 Advertising – yourhometowne@gmail.com or 265.1105 Photography – hometownephoto@gmail.com Design – kgarriso@nycap.rr.com or 883.3872

Make checks payable to the BH-BL Rotary and mail to: BH-BL Rotary PMB 146 690 Saratoga Road Burnt Hills, NY 12017

ABOUT THE COVER...

Congratulations to the kids and coaches of BH-BL High School.

The girls Volleyball team and the boys Football team brought home the championships! To read more check out Stay Tuned.

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From Scotia to Ballston Spa, covering the Route 50 Corridor

TIS THE ...

SEASON

table ound the Gather ar x, step back and rela an ith us for as w e im t in tm ned Chris Old Fashio onderment full of W rmth, and Wa as... n Christm o lt r a h C a t tertainmen Fireside En Evenings Sunday

399-9951

745 Charlton Road, Charlton

www.charltontavern.com New Years Eve sittings are available by reservation only.

Social networking at the Tavern couldn’t be easier with WIFI

Cozy Rooms full of American Made Sofas, Chairs & Wood Furniture Country-Style Curtains & Rugs Woven Table Linens Lamps, Lighting, Shades Everlasting Florals & Wreaths Gifts, Jewelry & Scarves... ALL AT AMAZING PRICES!

745 Charlton Road, Charlton Holiday Hours: Tue-Wed-Fri-Sat 11-5pm Thurs-11-6pm • Sun -11-3pm

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From Scotia to Ballston Spa, covering the Route 50 Corridor

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518-384-7362 761 Rte. 50 • Burnt Hills • www.rmpenawindows.com Established in 1992, as a family owned and operated business we have over 30 years of experience in the industry and hire our own professional tradesman to assure the highest quality workmanship. We use a different sales approach; educating the consumer on what is necessary to achieve greater energy efficiency while keeping aesthetics in mind. No high pressure and we treat ever job as if it were our own. Our energy specialists will be your project managers and guide you through your project from start to finish.

Our red log cabin showroom offers a unique experience. It is a hand's on working showroom where you can see, touch and operate every product prior to making your investment in your home. We offer a full line of energy efficient products.

R.M. Pena holds an A+ Better Business Bureau rating since 1997, has earned numerous dealer awards, is fully insured and is a Lead Safe certified firm.

Last winter, we welcomed the milder temperatures and less than average snowfall here in the capital region. This winter may NOT be the case, as we all know the weather is unpredictable. There are many ways to prepare your home to reduce energy costs, both in winter and summer. Adding additional insulation to attics and sidewalls, replacing windows and doors with energy efficient products or adding insulated siding to your home all aid in saving you money and make living in your home more comfortable.

Call or visit our showroom today to set up your free in home evaluation.

Discover your homes potential with us! R.M. Pena - Always One Step Ahead!

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From Scotia to Ballston Spa, covering the Route 50 Corridor

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EYE SAFETY DURING THE HOLIDAYS The holidays are a time when we all look forward to relaxing, attending parties, and spending time with the people we love. It should be a time of joy and celebration so don't let a preventable eye injury ruin your time with your family and friends. Parents should be especially alert for potential holiday eye hazards to children. Following a few helpful tips may help keep your holiday cheerful and your family safe.

• Do not use ornaments that are breakable, have small detachable parts, or metal hooks near the bottom of the tree where kids can reach them.

• If you have small children keep the lower branches of the tree trimmed so children don't accidentally poke their eyes on the branches.

• Spray snow is very dangerous for the eyes. The substance is made up of dangerous chemicals, so avoid spraying it near the eyes.

• Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling, and even snowball fights can cause accidental trauma to the eyes. Everyone should wear goggles to protect their eyes while engaging in these activities.

• Be careful of open flames, specifically fireplaces, which can cause burns to both children and adults.

Finally, the holidays can mean a lot of driving. Blurry vision can be a concern on long journeys. The best way to avoid this and be as safe as possible is to make plans ahead of time. Here are some tips on avoiding fatigue and improving alertness.

• Artificial tears can help soothe and refresh tired eyes. They may also help contribute to clear vision.

• Take your time and plan for rest breaks every couple of hours. Get out of your vehicle and take a short walk or do some exercise to get your blood pumping.

• If possible, share the driving.

• Don't drink and drive!

• Use air conditioning if your vehicle has it. Cool air will keep you more alert and help avoid frustration and stress caused by fatigue.

Whatever you do this holiday season, make it joyous and relaxing but don't let the celebration get in the way of your safety. If you have any questions about these eye tips or any other eye care issue, you can always ask us on our Facebook page. I promise a prompt response and I would be happy to help you ensure your family's eye safety this holiday season.

For more information contact Kristen Cameron, Burnt Hills Optical, 793 Rt. 50 Burnt Hills, 399-6130 or visit www.burnthillsoptical.com

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From Scotia to Ballston Spa, covering the Route 50 Corridor

TIME FOR YEAR-END REVIEW OF YOUR FINANCIAL STRATEGY? Now that 2012 is drawing to a close, you may want to review the progress you've made this past year in many areas of your life - including your financial situation. By going over your investment portfolio and other key areas related to your finances, you can learn what moves you may need to make in 2013 to stay on track toward your important objectives, such as college for your children, a comfortable retirement and the ability to leave the type of legacy you desire.

To get a clear picture of where you are, consider asking yourself these questions: • Am I taking on too much risk? Although 2012 has generally been a pretty good year for investors, we've certainly seen periods of considerable volatility. During these times, did you find yourself constantly fretting about big drops in your portfolio value? In fact, have you consistently experienced this type of worry throughout your years as an investor? If so, you might be taking on too much risk for your individual risk tolerance. Review your holdings to determine if you can lower your risk level without jeopardizing your overall investment strategy.

• Am I investing too conservatively? Just as you can take on too much investment risk, you can also go to the other extreme by investing too conservatively. If your portfolio contains a preponderance of investments that offer significant preservation of principal but very little in the way of growth potential, you may be endangering your chances of accumulating the resources you'll need to achieve your long-term goals.

• Am I contributing as much as I can afford to my retirement plans?

If you have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b), consider yourself fortunate. Your plan has the potential to grow on a tax-deferred basis, and you typically contribute pretax dollars - the more you put in, the lower your annual taxable income.

Plus, your employer may match part of your contributions. So if you've been under-funding your retirement plan, ratchet up your funding in 2013. At the same time, you may still be eligible to contribute to an IRA; if so, try to “max out” on it. A traditional IRA grows tax deferred while a Roth IRA can grow tax free, provided you meet certain conditions.

• Am I adequately protecting my income - and my family? Over time, you'll experience many changes in your life - marriage, children, new job, new home, etc. Most, if not all, of these changes will require you to make sure you have adequate life insurance in place to help guard your family's future, should anything happen to you. Furthermore, to help replace your income should you become disabled, you may well need to purchase an adequate amount of disability income insurance.

• Do I need professional help? As the above questions indicate, maintaining control of your financial situation can be challenging especially if you try to do it all on your own. You might benefit from working with a financial professional - someone who can analyze your situation objectively and make recommendations based on your risk tolerance, time horizon and specific goals.

Before the clock runs out on 2012, take the time to ask yourself the above questions. The answers may well spur you to take positive action in 2013.

Christopher Nyhan runs the Edward Jones office in Burnt Hills, NY. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Chris can be reached at 399-5087 or chris.nyhan@edwardjones.com.

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From Scotia to Ballston Spa, covering the Route 50 Corridor

DECORATING TIPS FROM THE SPECKLED HEN Each month I share “Decorating Tips from The Speckled Hen”, and introduce you to new ways to decorate your home with primitives. If you already have a primitive home, I'll help add to it with fresh ideas! Last month we tackled the living room, and this month we'll talk about setting your table for the holidays - but first a HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to my Black Friday Open House! It was a great day!

Setting a welcoming, beautiful dining table for holiday guests is a special art. To do this you don't have to invest a fortune - the idea is to create a soothing space that costs little and establishes an inviting, cozy atmosphere. Let your dining table decorations reflect yourself, your home and your family. My first tip is to keep the linens simple, this way your accents will really stand out. And remember, Christmas decorating doesn't have to be all red and green - warm plaids will make your table feel homey.

For a one-of-kind centerpiece, use a shallow antiqued wooden box or small tray, and purchase three oversized mason jars to set inside. Tie twine around the top of all three and affix two baby-pinecones. Add holiday greenery to the bottom of two jars and place a large white candle on top (real or battery operated). Fill the middle container with water and fresh cranberries, topped with white roses or a floating candle. Fill the space around the mason jars with pinecones from your yard, but first wash them and bake them at low temperature until dry (to kill the critters) and then spray them with cinnamon scented oil. Use bare wood branches, dried fruit and berries to expand your centerpiece.

If you enjoy making holiday crafts and want your dining table to reflect your creative touch, make personalized settings for your guests. Split wine corks in half lengthwise so they can lay flat on the table; with the cork set on the table make a lateral slice down the middle (but not all the way through). Scribe you guests' names using a calligraphy pen on a rectangular piece of cardstock and place in the slit. And there you have an easy, unique, handmade touch to your table!

These ideas and suggestions are in addition to the many items featured in The Speckled Hen. I'm happy to help you put together your own holiday table setting this season. I've received new shipments of Christmas décor, tablecloths, candles, greeneries and more! I've enjoyed helping you choose the perfect gifts and home items - and can't wait to see you during your next visit to The Speckled Hen. Happy Holidays!

Maureen Culver, The Speckled Hen 369.8771 • 38 Saratoga Road, Scotia thespeckledhen38@gmail.com

“The holiest of holidays are those Kept by ourselves in silence and apart; The secret anniversaries of the heart. ” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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From Scotia to Ballston Spa, covering the Route 50 Corridor

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BRICKS AND CLICKS HELP YOU SAVE! A "bricks and clicks" platform that strengthens local economies by connecting local businesses and consumers through a network of communitybranded portals, is available for use in your community.

Part Amazon, part Yelp and part Yellow Pages, come together in one convenient site - LocalLivingIn.com - in partnership with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County, BALLE, and most recently the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau; gives each participating merchant member a dedicated internet profile that serves as a call-toaction to shop in their place of business.

"In these challenging economic times with Walmart down the street and Internet competition just a click away - retailers need to bring local business home again," says Matt Cummings, co-founder of LocalLivingIn.com. "We've created an entirely new dynamic in favor of the community and small businesses. When small businesses band together in a LocalLivingIn.com community, they all benefit from increased marketing power and awareness. We provide all the tools they need to connect with customers and succeed online in a single simple-touse system." Local communities finally have an intuitive, comprehensive website and dynamic marketing system, that independent businesses can use to promote their sales, products and services online (and in print and via social media), thereby capturing local dollars by encouraging residents to shop and buy local.

Merchants can get up and online easily to generate web traffic, promote sales, offer coupons, and participate in community contests and more with no technical skills required. "If you can check email or update a Facebook profile, you can use LocalLivingIn.com," says Cummings. The site helps businesses run a local marketing campaign that improves results and strengthens the local economy at the same time. It's easy and affordable to join and the step-by-step process takes just five minutes.

Local Living In is partnering with community-minded businesses and Regional Chambers of Commerce to help local businesses reap the rewards of the system. The company continues to grow this proven fast growing program that gives its members the tools and knowledge they need to help their business succeed in their and neighboring communities. This will soon include a revolutionary iPhone and Android application to be launched in January 2013.

Interested businesses, economic development professionals, Chambers of Commerce, municipalities, neighborhood organizations and individuals are invited to learn more about Local Living In and the Buy Local Card program by visiting us at www.locallivingin.com, calling 518-795-6500 or emailing info@locallivingin.com.

Juergen Klingenberg, Founder of Local Living In www.locallivingin.com

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From Scotia to Ballston Spa, covering the Route 50 Corridor

HEALTH CARE TAX As we approach the new year, clients, family and friends are consistently asking us as Realtors about the changes to real estate tax laws beginning on January 1, 2013.

We found that most people were concerned and misinformed, so we wanted to take a minute to debunk some myths that have been circulating via email and the internet about the new "Health Care Tax" on real estate.

Myth #1: There will be a blanket 3.8% sales tax placed on all real estate transactions after January 1, 2013.

This is FALSE. The tax is only on the profit from "investments", and not everyone is affected. In general, the 3.8% sales tax will only affect those individuals in the high-income tax bracket earning more than $200,000 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), or $250,000 on a joint return.

Myth #2: All profits made from any real estate transaction will be subject to the tax.

This is FALSE. This new tax will not overturn Capital Gains exclusions.

If you sell your primary residence, you will not pay tax on the first $250,000 of profit for single filers, or up to $500,000 profit for married filers. This means that even those few who fall into the high-income tax bracket are still able to profit $250,000 per single person-or $500,000 per couple-on the sale of their primary residence TAX FREE. Only income falling outside of those thresholds will be subject to the 3.8% tax for qualifying tax payers.

You might say this is all well and good, but how does it affect me? The best person to answer that will be your personal Certified Public Accountant. However, we can confidently say that the majority of tax payers here and across the nation will not be affected by this law. It really only targets a high-income few who profit from their real estate and other investments, and not the average person selling their house.

We hope this helps debunk some myths that have been circulating.

Please help us spread the word. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your favorite Bliss Properties agent and we would be happy to provide more insight and resources into the changes being put into effect in 2013.

To reach us, please see our contact information provided in our ad in this issue. We love to help Our Hometowne find real estate bliss!

Pamela Bliss, Broker Certified International Property Specialist Senior Real Estate Specialist pamela@blisspropertiesofny.com 518-331-8710 Victoria Romeo, Agent Certified Buyer Representative First-Time Homebuyer/Seller Specialist tori@blisspropertiesofny.com 518-788-8865

“I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.�

- Shirley Temple

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730 Saratoga Road Burnt Hills • 518-399-1592 • www.countryacresfnp.com Terry Breen of Country Acres took his love for animals and turned into a career. Born and raised in Yorktown Heights, Terry Graduated from SUNY Albany in 1992, with a degree in business and sociology. Soon after graduating Terry became part of a start up pet grooming business. He designed and built the grooming shop and shortly after its opening, he was asked to help with the day to day operations. That's when he realized that he could do something he loved and make money doing it. After 6 years in the grooming business, he had the opportunity to start Country Acres.

Terry and his team opened the doors in the middle of 1998.

We have more than doubled our inventory since we started. We have brought in several new brands to fit the needs of pets and their “parents”.

Along with farm and pet food and supplies, we have the largest selection of wild bird and wildlife products in the area. We have also added many services to our retail store over the years.

Doggie Daycare is an exciting service that allows your pet to romp and play with his/her friends all day. They are always under the watchful eye of our professionally trained staff to keep them happy and safe. Your pet will come home just as tired as you are at the end of the day!

Pet Grooming is back! The “Spaw” at Country Acres. A spa like experience for your pet, in an all new, beautifully designed, top of the line grooming shop. We are professional, experienced, responsible and thorough. We treat your pet as if they are our own, and we treat the pet owner the way they deserve. We now welcome cats too! If you would rather do it yourself; self service pet wash is a great way to clean your dog.

Washing your pet doesn't have to be a chore. Avoid the mess at home by bathing your pet here.

Dog Obedience, from puppy classes to advanced; we train all dogs to be the perfect companion. We also do Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog testing.

Our goal is to offer the best service and have the most knowledgeable staff anywhere. We concentrate on having personal relationships with our customers. It's extremely important that we help pet owners give their pets the best care possible. That is what will keep us around for years to come. The team here is the best that you will find anywhere. They are friendly and helpful, and that is important, but more importantly, they are well educated. If a customer comes to us with a question or a problem, we can help them. And if we can't solve their problem, we will find someone who can. I guess you can say that this is what separates us from the rest.

Our store and selection speaks for themselves, but our team and service can't be beat.

We have a very eclectic team. We have 12 employees, all with different backgrounds and life experiences. Each one plays a different role in the success of the store. They are the backbone of my business. We definitely have someone here that can relate to every customer. We have an extremely exciting store, with a lot of additions planned for the upcoming year. People should visit our store to check us out. If you haven't been here in a while, come on back and see us, I am sure you will be happy that you did. If you have never been at our store, stop in so that we can welcome you to the Country Acres family.

In 2008 we welcomed Bill and Cindy McKenna to our location when we became the new home of Harvest Time. What a great addition and fit to our business. For all your plants, pumpkins, Christmas trees and more, they are the ones to see.

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(518) 370-4645 jfantauzzi@ecmlaw .com John A. Fantauzzi is a partner in the law firm of Englert, Coffey, McHugh & Fantauzzi, LLP located in Schenectady, New York where he has practiced law since May of 1996. John received his Juris Doctorate and Master of Public Policy from the College of William and Mary in 1995 and was a member of William & Mary's National Trial Court Team. John also graduated Magna Cum Laude from Siena College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

Englert, Coffey, McHugh & Fantauzzi, LLP is a full service law firm. John's areas of practice include Real Estate, Estate & Elder Law Planning, Estate Administration, Traffic Violations and Civil Litigation. John has served as a Town Justice in the Town of Ballston since 2010.

John is a member of the Real Estate Committee and chaired the Estate Planning and Elder Law Committee for 5 years of the Schenectady County Bar Association. He also is a member of the Saratoga County Bar Association, New York State Bar Association and the Federalist Society.

John A. Fantauzzi was elected to a four year term as Town Justice in 2010.

John has been a Hearing Officer for the Surrogate Decision Making Committee that reviews proposed medical treatment for disabled persons since 2003.

John has spoken before various groups on the subject of Estate Planning.

John is a member of the Burnt Hills Ballston Lake Business Professional Association, Glenville Knights of Columbus and the Rotary and was a volunteer with the Saratoga County Youth Board from 2006-2010.

John will be writing articles on estate planning and administration, real estate and other areas of law. You can reach John by phone at (518) 3704645, fax at (518) 374-5422 or e-mail at jfantauzzi@ecmlaw.com. John is available to meet clients in Burnt Hills and in Schenectady.

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STUFFED CROWN ROAST

BREAKFAST BAKE

EGGPLANT PARMESAN

2 tablespoons Roll butter from Garofalo's 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/4 cup diced celery 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, diced, about 2 cups 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries, optional 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup hot water 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf sage, crumbled, or poultry seasoning 4 cups toasted bread cubes 1 crown roast of pork, about 7 to 9 pounds hand cut from Garofalo's Heat butter in a large skillet over medium low heat; add the chopped onion, celery, apples, and chopped dried cranberries. Cook, stirring, for about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in brown sugar, hot water, lemon juice, salt, sage or poultry seasoning, and bread cubes. Place roast in a roasting pan. Fill the crown of the roast with stuffing, heaping in center.

Cover stuffing with a piece of foil to prevent drying out and wrap ends of each bone with a small piece of foil. Roast at 325° for 3 to 4 hours, or until the meat registers about 175° on a meat thermometer. Remove foil. If desired, decorate tips with paper frills. Serves 8.

1 pound white bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (16 cups) 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 pound sliced thick Garofalo's bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced One 28-ounce can whole Italian tomatoes from Garofalo's-drained, chopped and patted dry 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1/2 pound Garofalo's extra-sharp cheddar, shredded (about 2 cups) 1/2 pound Garofalo's hot pepper cheese, shredded (about 2 cups) 2 tablespoons snipped chives 1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth Salt 8 large eggs Hot pepper sauce, for serving Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly oil a 9x13” glass baking dish. In a large bowl, toss the bread with the olive oil and spread on a large rimmed baking sheet.

Bake for about 20 min, tossing once or twice, until the bread is golden and lightly crisp. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the bacon. Drain bacon; reserve 2 tablespoons of the fat in the skillet. Add onion to the skillet and cook about 5 min until softened, . Add tomatoes and crushed red pepper and cook until any liquid is evaporated, about 3 min. Return the toasted bread cubes to the bowl. Add the contents of the skillet, along with the bacon, shredded cheeses, chives and broth. Stir until the bread is evenly moistened. Season with salt. Spread the mixture in the baking dish and cover with lightly oiled foil.

Bake the bread mixture in the center of the oven for 30 min. Remove the foil and bake until the top is crispy, about 15 min longer. Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and, using a ladle, press 8 indentations into the bread mixture. Crack an egg into each indentation. Return the dish to the oven and bake for about 15 min, until the egg whites are set but the yolks are still runny. Serve the breakfast bake right away with hot sauce.

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus about 2 cups for frying 1 onion, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, very finely chopped Two 28-ounce cans whole, peeled Italian tomatoes, drained (available at Garofalo's) Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 8 small eggplants (1/2 pound each), cut lengthwise 1/2 inch thick 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped basil 1 pound Garofalo's fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced and torn into small pieces 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese from Garofalo's 3 tablespoons Garofalo's homemade bread crumbs In a large skillet, heat the 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and cook over moderate heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Using your hands, crush the whole tomatoes into the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is very thick, about 25 minutes. Transfer the tomato sauce to a food processor and puree until smooth.

Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, in a very large skillet, heat 1/4 inch of olive oil. Season the eggplant slices with salt and pepper.

Working in several batches, cook the eggplant over moderately high heat, turning once, until golden on both sides, about 8 minutes per batch; add more olive oil to the skillet between batches. Drain the eggplant slices on paper towels.

Preheat the oven to 400°. Spread 1 cup of the tomato sauce in a 9-by-13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish.

Arrange one-third of the fried eggplant slices in the baking dish and sprinkle all over with 1 tablespoon of the chopped basil. Top with one-third of the torn mozzarella and sprinkle with 1/3 cup of the grated ParmigianoReggiano. Repeat this layering twice. Sprinkle the bread crumbs all over the top of the eggplant Parmesan. Bake in the upper third of the oven for about 45 minutes, until the top of the eggplant Parmesan is golden and the tomato sauce is bubbling. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Garafalo's, the taste people travel for!

Stop in and visit the 4th generation, serving QUALITY ITALIAN PRODUCTS since 1904. www.garofalosausage.com

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SELF SABOTAGE How long have you been trying to lose those last 10 or 20 or 30 pounds? Been awhile now, hasn't it? You know how to lose weight - eat healthy and exercise so why are you still living in a body that you're disappointed with? In my experience, people hold on to "unwanted" pounds for very specific reasons. These reasons are on a subconscious level, which is where things get tricky. Self-sabotage is your subconscious mind's way of protecting you.

Seems counterproductive, but it makes sense when you realize that it is a defense mechanism meant to keep things from changing. Your conscious mind says it wants to lose weight to look and feel amazing, but your subconscious mind is pulling the strings behind the scenes, keeping your goals just out of reach. As long as your subconscious mind thinks that you are safer being out-of-shape then you'll be stuck. Your most valiant efforts will be undermined by self-sabotage every single time.

But don't give up.

There's a way to turn everything around, and it all starts with finding out the reason that your subconscious mind equates being out-of-shape with being safe. Once you turn the light on to that reason then it will no longer have any power over you.

So, lets dig around for your reason.

• Do you believe... You don't deserve it? Has someone in your life made you believe that you aren't worthy of success?

• Do you believe... Change is bad? Being comfortable with where you are today could be the reason that you sabotage your efforts to improve your life through change.

• Do you believe...Success will bring loss? If you met your weight loss goal, would it bring out resentment and jealousy in your friends and family?

• Do you believe...You're not capable? Does the possibility of achieving your goal not seem real?

Spend time diving into your own mind to discover why it is that you aren't meeting your goals. Once your whole mind is primed for success, then nothing will be able to stop you.

What the mind believes the body achieves.

Exercise is a huge part of the equation when it comes to achieving weight loss.

I am passionate about seeing my clients achieve results - without wasting time, energy and effort on mistakes.

Call or email me today and we will get you started on the exercise program that is right for you.

424-7878 or email gina@precisefitnessandtraining.com to get started today with a free consultation.

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DECEMBER CROSSWORD PUZZLE

23. Terrestrial 25. It makes dough rise 27. Mineral rock 28. Ritual washing 31. A swift descent through the air 34. Hoar 35. American Dental Association 36. Cried 37. Wear away 38. Blend

DOWN 1. Apple or orange 2. Javelin 3. Deduce 4. Bind 5. A hydrocarbon in petroleum 6. Mountain crest 7. Container weight 8. Everyone 9. Scarlet

10. Most recent 11. Unquenchable 12. Froth 13. Sailors 18. Dweeb 22. Tight 24. Part of a plant 26. If not 28. Got up 29. Norse god 30. Not 31. Exchange 32. Used to be 33. Controlling 34. Stew 37. Acquire deservedly 38. Bristle 40. Accomplishes 41. Adolescents 43. Some circus performers 44. Shockingly repellent 46. Slang for money 47. Not here 48. Door part 49. Go in 50. Burst of wind 51. Diva's solo 53. Feudal worker 56. Arrive (abbrev.)

57. Muck

Answers can be found on page 29

ACROSS 1. Flutter 5. Cowboy movie 10. Elevator (British) 14. Hindu princess 15. Hunger for 16. Dwarf buffalo 17. Unshackled 19. Russian emperor 20. Frozen water 21. H2O 22. League members

39. Metric unit of area 40. A type of flower 41. Little 42. By necessity 44. Obtain 45. Sporting venue 46. Respire 50. Fence "doors" 52. Small finch 54. Ancient unit of measure 55. Murres 56. Appraisal 58. Drop down 59. Kidney-related 60. Desire 61. Labels 62. Slender 63. Bambi was one

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MERRY AND BRIGHT! ...and the stocking were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nickolas soon would be there.

The pine roping is draped upon that worn out old picket fence. The twinkling lights look as though a few stars have fallen from the sky and landed right here in my front yard. The big red velvet bows greet you with Christmas cheer. The lights on the tree shimmer and sparkle, in some areas more than others. No one will notice that half the strand of green lights are out and tucked deep down into the tree. The empty spaces will go unnoticed as well as the ornaments from many years will take their place. The angel looks down from the top of the tree, watching over us in the soft glow of the red and green lights. Her smiling face is merry and bright.

“Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn't come from a store.�

- Dr. Seuss

Some of our tradition is steeped in the past. The angel is simple and white and was given to us by my parents many years ago. All of us kids got one that year. It has adorned our tree ever since.

The clothespin reindeer my son has made over the years make their way to the front of the tree. Special ornaments from our travels and experiences through life help us remember how blessed we have been. And even now, new traditions have started.

Through the years, my aunt kept beautiful glass ornaments from the 40's. Somehow, they made their way back to me this year.

Even though I am tied to years of wonderful tradition, I am very excited to start some new ones as well.

As I bask in the warmth of the woodstove and the smell of cinnamon pinecones over takes me, I appreciate my life and all that has been given to me. I look forward to spending time with my son, my family and my friends, old and new. And I do look forward to making new memories and traditions. As I put my feet up on my coffee table and relax with a cup of hot cocoa, with extra marshmallows, a smile comes across my face. Much like our angel, I am feeling very merry and bright. ...and as I dozed off I thought I heard a faint whisper... "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

As always, I wish you Peace, Joy and Very Merry and Bright Christmas!

Pattie Rakvica idriveaware@gmail.com

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STAY TUNED with Paul Hill

For anyone on Route 50 between Glenville and Burnt Hill's on Friday night Nov 23, the noise was startling. We listened to the police sirens wail and the fire horns blare from the fire trucks as they made their way up Rt 50. They were taking forever it seemed, slowly making their way up the road. The closer they got it was clear that there were a lot of vehicles heading our way but they were in no particular hurry.

Having watched the BH-BL football team soundly defeat their opponent, one of the toughest teams in their division, SWEET HOME by a score of 40-20, we knew they were coming. We were told that there was going to be a celebratory parade in their honor as this wasn't just any game. Spartan's coach Matt Shell along with his staff and team had just won the most important game of the year, the New York State Championship at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse NY. Their destination was the Burnt Hills- Ballston lake High School, the same destination that brought them home before under less fanfare, but not less pride. This time the varsity football team had arrived home as the 2012 Class A State Champions. As the mantra goes, “the third time is the charm” and so it was in the series of finals between Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake and Sweet Home. As Jackie Gleason used to say “for those old enough to remember,”HOW SWEET IT IS!!”

Though this was the Spartans first state title in Burnt Hills- Ballston lake history, for Coach Matt Shell, the road to victory was not paved in playbook strategy. His family faced adversity that others may not begin to understand let alone verbalize. His ability to

maintain faith and devotion to his family, while never losing sight of the “ball” year after year, had returned him a team of students who poured their heart and soul into every single game in honor of that devotion and stands as a lasting testimony to his leadership.

I could fill a page with statistics and research about how well the team has grown and matured over the years under Coach Shell, but I'm not going to do that, the previous paragraph says it all.

On our cover we honor coaches, Pete Parisi, Tom Schwan, Jeff Tope, Dave Ball, Jason LaPietro, Shawn Kline, Jeff Page, Kevin DeBonis, Rick Snyder, Melissa Armstrong, Gary Bynon and Matt Shell under Athletic Director, Bob McGuire along with the football team and the girls volleyball team who tied the school record with a 29-2 season, winning the schools 18th sectional title and 25th straight Suburban Council divisional championship as well as the State Championship this year by a score of 3-1, it was their 5th championship in 11 years.

TO THE ATHLETES WHO DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO EXCELLENCE: YOU HAVE MADE US PROUD TO LIVE IN YOUR HOMETOWNE, Stay Tuned!

The picture above was taken after the game by local photographer from Studio Fifty and master craftsmen, Dave Bennett.

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“Marry an orphan: you'll never have to spend boring holidays with the in-laws..�

- George Carlin

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518-399-8174 • kdeangelo@sals.edu

HOLIDAY CLOSING SCHEDULE The library will close at 3PM on December 24th and will re-open at 10AM on December 26th. It will also close at 3PM on December 31st and will re-open at 10AM on January 2, 2013.

COMPUTER CLASS SCHEDULE Friday, December 7, 12-2PM Introduction to Computers for Absolute Beginners Wednesday, December 12, 6-8PM Google and the Internet Thursday, December 13, 5-7PM Facebook Monday, December 31, 12-2PM Computer LAB Classes are free unless otherwise noted. For a small printing fee, handouts may be available for patrons to retain for future reference.

Registration is required and space is limited. To register, please stop by or call the library at 518-399-8174. ext 2. One-on-one computer assistance is also available. To schedule, please stop by or call and ask for Kathy (518-399-8174 ext. 6).

Answers from Crossword Puzzle on page 24

Ring in the new year with the 16th Annual First Night Saratoga!

Prepare for an evening of fun and festivities in downtown Saratoga Springs as families flock to the city to enjoy the marvelous events, festive spirit and holiday entertainment on New Years Eve. Officials are expecting 14,000 people to attend this year, and are calling this year's First Night event the largest in the state after Times Square, and the largest New Year's Eve event in upstate New York.

What's With The Button?

One button does it all! A First Night Saratoga admission button provides you access to all 35 First Night venues and 70 First Night performances and happenings. Buttons will be available for purchase at: the Arts Center, Stewart's Shops, Adirondack Trust Branches, and Price Choppers across the region and at the Saratoga Springs YMCA on December 1, 2012. Or online at www.saratoga-arts.org/firstnight

LIBRARY PROGRAMS Book Club Dinner and a Movie - Monday, December 10, at 6PM in the library community room. Discussing and watching “One True Thing,” by Anna Quindlen. Please call Judy Kaplan at the library (399-8174, ext. 4) for more information.

Knitting Social Group - Monday, December 17, 7-9PM in the library community room. All types of fiber fanatics are welcome.

Only knitting help is reliably available. No registration needed.

Hands on e-reader play time - Tuesday, December 18, 7-8PM, in the library community room. Have a new one or thinking of buying one? Come try out a Kindle, Nook, or iPad and share tips and tricks with other users. No registration needed.

YOUTH WINTER BREAK PROGRAMS Star Stories - Thursday, December 27, 6 or 6:30PM - Among the twinkling stars the pictures appear defining over 40 “official” constellations seen from our latitude. Star stories from hundreds and thousands of years ago will be told. A demonstration of the earth’s orbit shows the zodiac constellations also known as the “circle of animals”- calendar of ancient times. For grades K-2, please sign up.

Native American Star Stories - Thursday, December 27, 7PM Discover the night sky as the Native Americans did hundreds of years ago in our own county. Each tribe has created their own constellations and the stories give us a view of their culture and how their life experiences were associated with the stars, moon and Milky Way. For grades 3-6, please sign up.

HOURS M-Th 10AM-8PM / Fri 10AM-5PM / Sat 10AM-2PM ONLINE http://catalog.sals.edu or http://toblibrary.sals.edu YOUTH SERVICES http://toby.sals.edu • E-mail: rdarling@sals.edu

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Hailey Aldrich, a gifted teen from BH-BL High School has been singing, dancing and acting since she could walk!

Born with a desire to perform and Hailey already has a resume that would be envied by many adults. Hailey started singing at age 5 when she was in Kindergarten at Stevens. She landed the role of Gretel in the HS production of Sound of Music. Her family credits Ann Derrick for getting her going. Her voice developed over time, and so did her love of acting. She has done quite a bit for someone her age, including 3 professional plays!

Hailey performed as a solo vocalist while at Stevens Elementary School singing “ I miss you” by Mylie Cyrus.

Her list of accomplishments since then includes performing in Snow White and Annie at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. She performed at the Cohoes Music Hall in “Les Miserable's Jr” and “ A Christmas Carol”. The MacHadyn and Cohoes productions were with professional adult actors. Hailey also performs in the Saratoga Children's Theatre, the BH-BL Theatre for Children and of course BHBL's High School play.

Hailey's Hometowne Talent has not gone unnoticed. The past couple of years have been amazing for Hailey and her family. Hailey's Mom, Amy Aldrich has a friend that is big Siena fan (and Hailey fan) that told her about a contest for young talent in the Capital Region to sing the National Anthem at their Men's Basketball games at the Times Union Center. Her parents didn't even know if she could sing The Anthem, but she auditioned and got to perform at one of their games in February of 2011 at the TU. She was invited back to sing again in February of 2012. After her performance, the General Manager of the TU came up to Amy and asked if Hailey would be interested in singing at some of the other TU events. A week later they got the invitation for her to be the singer at the October 20th NBA Pre-Season game between the Knicks and the Celtics. How cool is that? At the age of 12 this young woman has been on national TV singing The National Anthem in front of a stadium full of people and TV cameras! Not only is her voice beautiful but her gracefulness and composure are what you would expect from an adult.

If the singing, dancing and acting isn't enough to impress you then know that she also is on the JV tennis Team and is High Honor Roll student. Her family; Amy, Bruce (her Dad) and Dillon are very supportive and they make it fun for Hailey to be successful. I have seen the FB posts of the family taking road trips, playing word games and communicating with each other. They are not just sitting there with headphones on, they are being a family. They truly enjoy each other and it shows.

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Gift Certificates Available

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:K/E h^͘ zŽƵƌ ,ŽŵĞƚŽǁŶĞ͘ zŽƵƌ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ƵůůĞƚŝŶ ŽĂƌĚ͘

Mother Mother Nature Nature Always Always Gets Gets Even; Even; Be Be Ready.

Ready.

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BURNT HILLS FIRE DEPARTMENT

Annual Christmas Party!

SATURDAY DECEMBER 15TH Santa will be driving through the neighborhood on the fire truck 11am- 12pm be sure to watch for him!

THEN JOIN US AT THE FIRE HOUSE 1-3PM FREE SNACKS AND TREATS FOR THE KIDS! BRING A CANNED GOOD TO HELP FEED FAMILIES IN NEED!

811 SARATOGA RD (RT 50)

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Furnaces Plus: Service, Repairs, Upgrades, Replacement and:

Serving the Capital District North Area for Over 30 Years

399-6808 www.suburbanservicesgroup.com

Fully Automatic Generators All Plumbing Services

Heating Radon Mitigation Systems

$10 OFF ANY SERVICE WITH THIS AD CANNOT BE COMBINED

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A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.

-Author Unknown

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