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October 23, 2020

Welcome to your weekly newsletter of news, views and events in Saratoga Springs and beyond.

News from your Saratoga Springs Democratic Party:
 
Join fellow Dems for a virtual early vote and GOTV kickoff rally on Friday, October 23 at 7:00 pm. We will be joined by a number of special guests including Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and more. RSVP for the rally here. Then, be sure to join us on Saturday and Sunday for our Weekend of Action to Get-Out-The-Vote across New York and in swing states across America.  You can join virtual phonebanks happening all weekend long.  See the schedule and sign up now.
 
Early voting is here! Starting Saturday, October 24, Saratoga County residents can vote in person at locations in Gavin Park, Ballston Spa (at the county BOE) and Clifton Park. Early voting avoids possible delays in mailed-in absentee ballots and potential disruptions and long lines at the polls on November 3, Election Day. Early voting times and locations are here, as well as in the comprehensive voting post on saratogadems.org. Also, an excellent voting guide for friends and family in other areas/states is IWillVote.com.
 
Local candidates need your support! It’s all hands on deck… your neighbors are voting and you can help them learn about Dems candidates and positions. Volunteer or contribute to Carrie Woerner’s re-election campaign for the 113th District here. Sign up for a Joe Seeman for 115th Assembly District phone bank or no-contact canvassing here. Get involved with a phone bank supporting 43rd District Senate candidate Patrick Nelson and 2th District Congressman Paul Tonko here. Volunteer to help Thearse McCalmon get out the vote in Senate District 49 by emailing heather@thearseforsenate.com.
 
Times-Union says YES on Charter Reform. "The reform on this year’s ballot offers not just an opportunity to professionalize the government with the creation of a city manager’s position, but also to make the City Council more representative and accessible. It would foster a more democratic city legislature by making it feasible for more citizens to run for office — not just those who can afford to,” the editorial states in part. The SSDC has also enthusiastically endorsed Charter Reform—and urges those looking for facts to fight the opposition’s disinformation campaign to view the details (including full text of the new charter and budget breakdown) at CommonSenseSaratoga.com.
 
Most events are still virtual, but many are now onsite. For in-person events, assume that proper COVID-19 precautions will be mandatory including social distancing and masks at all times.
 
Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25. Saratoga DBA Fall Festival Reimagined. The Downtown Business Association’s fall event will look a little different this year, with safe and fun-filed activities both online and in person. Enjoy festive decorations, grab a swag bag filled with coupons (while supplies last, with $25 purchase), hunt for decorated pumpkins and enter a prize drawing, listen to haunted ghost stories on Facebook Live and more. Details here.
 
Friday, October 23, 8:00 pm. Driftwood Live from Caffé Lena. This massively popular Binghamton-based five-piece has climbed to the top of the Americana scene on the strength of killer live shows, never-ending tours, and a mutual trust that inspires courageous songwriting and explosive arrangements. Free to watch on Facebook Live; if you enjoy the show please use this link to tip the musicians and support the programming of Caffé Lena.
 
Saturday, October 23, 9:00 am – noon. Sustainable Saratoga Recycling Day. Sustainable Saratoga will accept clothing and textiles in any condition, appliances and electronics, scrap metal, eyeglasses, hearing aids, bikes, art supplies, sleeping bags, backpacks, cell phones and other items. The cost is $5 per vehicle fee, plus $20 per television or monitor. There is a limit of four televisions per vehicle. Please bring exact change to minimize physical contact, wear a mask, and stay in your car at all times. In the SPAC parking lot on Route 50.
 
Saturday, October 23, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Open House at Saratoga Senior Center. Watch a presentation about the center, hear live music, enter raffles, learn about food and nutrition (with free produce from Regional Food Bank, while supplies last) and more. FREE to attend; pay just $10 for membership for the rest of this year when you sign up for 2021 membership at $25. The Saratoga Senior Center is at 25 Williams St.
 
Saturday, October 24, noon, 1:30 and 3:00 pm. Something Wicked Home Made This Way Comes. An outdoor SPOOKY filled family fun entertainment hour hosted by some of Home Made Theater's finest. Enjoy singing, dancing, jokes, and ghost stories. $10 per person; tickets here. Tickets must be purchased in advance for all members of your party and no tickets will be sold at the door. This is an OUTDOOR event so bring your chair or blanket and wear your mask, of course. On the lawn outside the Spa Little Theater, 19 Roosevelt Dr in Spa Park.
 
Sunday, October 25, noon – 3:00 pm. Ponies, Pumpkins and Pies at Pitney Meadows Farm. Enjoy a drive-through farm experience along a winding pasture path full of ponies and preserved farmland. Each child will receive a goodie bag and you can pick up your pre-ordered local pies and pumpkins. $10 per car supports the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and Pitney Meadows Community Farm Recreational Trails Program. All guests must register in advance and remain in their cars. Register and order your pies and pumpkins here. Farm is at 223 West Ave.
 
Sunday, October 25, 7:00 pm. Busking for Lena! Sawyer Fredericks Helps Caffe Lena Meet Fundraising Challenge. Sawyer has stepped forward to help Caffé Lena get over the finish line of the $50,000 Sarah B. Foulke Fundraising Challenge, which runs out on October 31. His guitar case will be open on stage, and you can help him fill it for Lena as you watch from home via our Virtual Tip Jar.  Our two key goals are to keep the independent music world intact and to reach our audience wherever they are, so when the shutdown is over, everyone doesn’t have to start over from scratch. Event will be broadcast via Facebook Live.
 
Monday, October 26, 4:00 pm. Northshire Bookstore Live: Neil Gaiman with Marlon James. Order a copy of The Neil Gaiman Reader from Northshire Bookstore, and we will send your name and email address to Harper Collins who will register you for this special pre-recorded conversation with Booker Prize winner Marlon James. At 4:00 pm on Monday, October 26th, when the interview will stream, Neil Gaiman will join in to live chat and answer your questions! Order your copy here.
 
Monday, October 26, 7:00 – 8:00 pm. Surviving Meal Planning & COVID Schedules. Price Chopper nutritionist Jody Fritz shares ideas, techniques and recipes that are filled with time-saving tips to make meals that keep you out of the kitchen when working around COVID schedules. Printable recipes will be shared and a Q&A will follow. Hosted by Schuylerville Public Library. Free registration here; you will receive a Zoom link prior to the event.
 
Tuesday, October 27, 6:00 – 9:00 pm. Socially Distant Tuesdays with Rick Ortiz. Enjoy a full set in our large banquet room; reservations strongly advised and food and drink purchase required. It’s a safe, fun night out with some great music from a local favorite. Call (518) 306-1900 to reserve your seats or send us a message on Facebook. At the Hideaway at Saratoga Lake, 35 Grace Moore Rd.
 
Tuesday, October 27, 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Women’s World History with Palette Cafe. Did you know that the first credited author in history was a woman? Or that one of the most powerful pharaohs of Egypt was wiped from all records for 3500 years simply because of her gender? Each week for the next 10 weeks, we will meet digitally to learn about an exceptional woman and explore the status and power of women during that era through the lens of her life. Classes will incorporate discussions, creative writing, and primary sources such as artwork or texts from the time period. While this course is geared towards young adults, people of all ages (and genders) are welcome! Register here.
 
Tuesday, October 27, 7:00 – 800 pm. Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation presents Women’s Suffrage in Saratoga Springs. Virtually join Nancy Brown, a local educator who serves on the board of The National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites and Chair of The National Votes for Women Trail, to learn about this historic time in American history. Explore the pivotal role Saratoga Springs played in the women’s suffrage movement and the history of women’s rights conventions during this hour-long virtual program. For additional information or to pre-register visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call (518) 587-5030.
 
Wednesday, October 28, 3:00 – 6:00 pm. Last Wednesday Farmers Market of the year at Wilton Mall. Locally-grown foods and locally-produced treasures plus a visit from the Saratoga Springs Public Library. Children can learn about library programs and pick up a seasonal paper bag craft to complete at home. No advance registration required. In the parking lot next to the Bowtie Cinema entrance at Wilton Mall.
 
Wednesday, October 28, 7:00 – 8:00 pm. Annual Meeting and Program: A View of the Collection. Hear from members of the Staff and Board on how Saratoga Springs Historical Museum has navigated shutdown, COVID-19 restrictions, and reopening amid the pandemic.Then view a show-and-tell of some of the most significant artifacts in the 15,000 item collection, many of which are seldom seen. Free and open to the public; Zoom link and log-in instructions on this Facebook Page.

Thursday, October 29, noon – 1:00 pm. (Ghost) Story Time with SSPL. Has anything spooky or unexplained ever happened to you? Do you have a favorite spooky story that you heard from a friend or in a book that you love to use to creep out others? Did you ever see an episode of a show so creepy that it's stuck with you all this time and you just HAVE to talk about it? In this program for adults and teens we'll all share our favorite spooky stories to get ourselves in the Halloween spirit. Librarian Caitlin Sheldon has a few of her own personal experiences to share, and attendees will be encouraged to share any stories of their own. Register for this Zoom event here; the link will be emailed to participants 3 hours in advance.

Thursday, October 29, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Fall Film Night at the Batcheller Mansion Inn. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair to enjoy a spooky film in the lawn beside our historic mansion. For two weeks we are featuring The Skeptic, filmed here at our inn! $10 tickets sold at the gates include hot cider and popcorn. Masks required unless seated. Seating will be limited, please call (518)584-7012 to reserve your tickets. Batcheller Mansion Inn is at 20 Circular St.

Local news and happenings:
 
Saratoga Springs families express concern about recreation defunding. With dramatic budget cuts in the wake of COVID-19, the comprehensive budget proposed for the coming year has eliminated 100% of all recreational programming. Recreation facilities would remain open and key personnel would be paid, but programs such as skating at our ice rinks, shooting hoops in our Rec Center, playing ball at our fields, exercising in our parks, volunteering as a coach or being part of summer camp would either be discontinued or would require funding from parents or other sources. At a Budget Workshop on October 20, many parents expressed concern that this action would directly impact lower income families who cannot afford a pay-to-pay model and would impact public safety because rec programs keep kids off the streets. Another Budget Workshop has been scheduled for Monday, October 26  at 6 pm at City Hall. Enter through the ramp to the left, at the Music Hall.

Saratoga’s First Night 2021 has been cancelled. In an announcement that was a disappointment but not a surprise, Louise Kerr of Saratoga Arts reports that the annual event cannot happen this New Year’s Eve. The event typically brings upwards of 10,000 people to downtown Saratoga Springs. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, gatherings of that size are not permitted at this time. “I’m hopeful that next year there’ll be a nice, robust First Night in some other capacity, but certainly nothing this particular season,” Kerr told the Daily Gazette. She added that Saratoga Arts is hoping to join with other arts organizations in the area to plan smaller community events later this year. Details on those events are still to come.

 
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