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December 4, 2020

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

News from your Saratoga Springs Democratic Party:
 
Dems seek candidates for city, county campaigns in 2021. Interested in running for office and making a difference in our community? Todd Kerner, Chair of the Saratoga County Democratic Party, invites anyone who would like to be a candidate for County Clerk, Sheriff, Surrogate Court Judge or Coroner to contact him at chair@saratogacountydems.org with a resume or description of qualifications. In Saratoga Springs, the interview process will begin soon for potential candidates for city council positions; for more information contact SSDC Chair Sarah Burger for additional information: sarah.burger@saratogadems.org.
 
Georgia is key to flipping the senate. Here’s how you can help. As Georgia Republicans focus on election appeal and pointing fingers instead of the upcoming runoff election, the chances that Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff will win their January 6 runoff elections look increasingly good.  This Fair Fight ActBlue page collects funds to be split evenly among the Warnock and Osoff campaigns and Stacey Abram’s Fair Fight voter mobilization drive. You can also sign up to send postcards to Georgia voters through this link.
 
Most of Trump “election appeal” donations actually fund his future political activities. The election is long past, his appeals to overturn state election results have been fruitless, and his own Attorney General says the election was without fraud. Yet many Republicans (such as our own Elise Stephanik, representing Congressional District 21) continue to insist that Trump was somehow robbed of his second term. Donations have reached $207 million to an appeal operation in which 75% of funds actually go to support his future political efforts including staff and travel, according to the New York Times. If you have friends or family members disappointed in the outcome of the Presidential election, consider suggesting that they donate to a local charity or support a small struggling local business where their contribution can make a real difference.
 
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. Please note the new 10-person limit for social gatherings.
 
Friday, December 4 through Saturday, December 5. Christmas in the Country in Washington County. Christmas in the Country is a group of artisans who get together every year for a tour of their homes and studios. They're primarily located in Fort Ann and Kingsbury. Participants will have Christmas tree signs in front of their houses; those who are not on the official list but are still participating will have snowman signs. List of participating artisans with addresses is here. Please remember to wear your mask and practice social distancing.

Friday, December 4, 5:00 – 7:30 pm. Knights of Columbus Takeout Roast Beef Dinner fundraiser. Meals will include 8 oz of tender Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, a Vegetable, Salad, and Rolls for $15.00 each. Be sure to call ahead to (518) 584-8547 between 1 and 4 pm on Friday to place your order; last time we ran out and some people could not be accommodated. Pick up your order between 5:00 and 7:30 at Knights of Columbus #246, 50 Pine Road off highway 29.
 
Friday, December 4, 6:00 – 9:00 pm. Tree lighting and neighborhood parade in Ballston Spa. Santa will light the village Christmas tree from the bucket of a fire truck, then the parade will proceed through neighborhoods along with police and fire departments and an ambulance collecting toys for tots. More information, including the parade route and how to watch the tree lighting on Facebook Live, is here.

Saturday, December 5, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm. Holiday Farmer’s Market at Wilton Mall. The Saratoga Springs Farmer’s Market gets festive with 50+ vendors selling a full range of locally produced items including fresh produce, ready-to-eat foods, artisanal products, and holiday gift items. The market is located in the mall’s food court, accessible from the Bow Tie Cinemas mall entrance and from the mall interior. Wilton Mall is at 3065 NY-50 in Wilton.
 
Saturday, December 5, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Ladies of Charity Poinsettia Sale. Support the Saratoga Senior Center by purchasing your poinsettias in unusual and breathtaking colors from a local greenhouse. $12 for one plant, $20 for 2. Repeats December 12, 9:00 am to noon. Saratoga Senior Center is at 5 Williams St.
 
Saturday, December 5, until 8:00 pm. 2020 Date Night Gala Auction to benefit Saratoga Springs History Museum. Ticket sales for the take-home Date Night Dinner have closed, but you can still bid in the silent auction until 8 pm. Items range from gift certificates for local businesses to unique items such as original 1870s carpeting from the Canfield Casino. Listing of items is here; you must set up a (free) account in order to bid.
 
Sunday, December 6, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Christmas trees, food and drink at the Winery. Purchase your Christmas tree (all sizes just $48) and shop for customizable gift baskets, gift cards and the debut of our famous Santa Wine! At Saratoga Winery and Tasting Room, 462 Route 29 West.
 
Sunday, December 6, noon – 8:00 pm. Holiday Toy Drive to benefit Captain services. Bring in a new, unopened and unwrapped gift and receive your first beer on us! (Limit one per person.) Toy drive starts December 5 and continues through Thursday, December 10. At Unified Beerworks, 7 Old Stonebreak Rd in Malta.
 
Sunday, December 6, 4:00 pm. Santa Claus is coming to Geyser Crest. Santa Claus is coming to town! OUR town, atop a tower ladder fire truck. Repeats 4 more times before Christmas in Saratoga neighborhoods; see this Facebook post for locations and times then watch for the jolly elf in your area or join in via Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
 
Monday, December 7, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Free holiday card craft kit at the library.  Stop by the library Children's Room or Info Desk to pick up a free holiday card making kit (for teens and tweens). Continues all week until supplies run out. Saratoga Springs Public Library is at 49 Henry St.
 
Monday, December 7, 6:00 pm. Book Publisher Rep Night via Northshire Live. Northshire Booksellers look forward all year to our visits with publishing sales representatives, as they tell us all about the best books from their lists. We’re bringing this visit virtual this year, and sharing it with you! These book professionals will share their favorite new books for adults and children - and help you find your next great read, and the perfect gift book for everyone on your list. The event is free, but please consider making a purchase to support our event programming. Advance registration here.
 
Tuesday, December 8, 7:00 am – 9:00 pm. Legacy Project Voting. The Legacy Project is a $129.7 million capital project referendum for improvements and renovations to all eight school buildings and the transportation facility with no additional taxes to be levied; more information in the local news section below.  Residents may vote at all six elementary schools; if you are unsure of your polling location enter your address here.
 
Tuesday, December 8, 7:00 pm. Saratoga Arts Commission Town Hall. The first of four free town hall discussions, in partnership with Skidmore College, on enhancing the arts scene in Saratoga Springs. This discussion focuses on arts for young people and includes panelists from Saratoga Children’s Theatre, Skidmore dance department, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Caffé Lena, the Tang Teaching Museum and C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios. Zoom link is here.
 
Wednesday, December 10, 4:30 – 6:pm. Roast Pork Dinner for curbside pickup at Wilton Elks Lodge. Dinner for two is $25 (cash only) and gets you: roast pork, masked potatoes, vegetable, stuffing, applesauce, gravy & roll and a tossed salad. Call (518) 584-2585 on Monday or Tuesday between 10:00 am and noon to place your order for curbside pickup on Wednesday between 4:30 and 6:00 pm. Wilton Elks Lodge #161 is at 1 Elks Lane off Maple Ave.
 
Wednesday, December 9, 6:00 pm. Northshire Bookstore Live: James Patterson with Joe Donahue. We are thrilled to welcome the world's bestselling author and most trusted storyteller James Patterson to Northshire Live for a literary conversation with WAMC/Northeast Public Radio’s Joe Donahue about his two new books The Last Days of John Lennon and Deadly Cross! Tickets $32-70 including a copy of one or both books plus Zoom link to attend; register here.

Thursday, December 10, 11:45 am  1:15 pm. Brown Bag Lunch: The History of Saratoga Springs using the Bolster Photographic Collection, Part 2. James Parillo and Charles Keunzel are back with more fabulous images from the Bolster Collection, sharing more stories of the history of Saratoga Springs. This event will be virtual, so you can enjoy your own brown bag lunch at home while you watch and learn. Register here; the Zoom link will be emailed 3 hours prior to the event.

Thursday, December 10, 6:00 – 7:30 pm. Capital Region Gives Back. Join Saratoga Living and Capital Region Living in saluting our 10 "Capital Region Gives Back" honorees at a multi-venue (and virtual!) party like this area has never seen—and help them raise money for the charities and nonprofits they represent! Honorees will be Zooming in from all over the region and there will be fun, interactive games for viewers at home. Tickets are $100, of which $50 goes to a cause you choose and will be 100% matched by the magazines’ parent company, Empire Media Network. Register here; you will receive a Zoom link which also admits you to a sneak peek starting at 6:00 pm prior to the main event at 6:30.
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Ongoing through Thursday, December 31. 2020 Victorian Streetscapes in Saratoga Springs. The Saratoga Springs DBA, which has presented the traditional Victorian Streetwalk for the past 33 years, in collaboration with Discover Saratoga, is bringing an enhanced holiday look to Broadway and the downtown area for a month-long celebration called Victorian Streetscapes as a safe way to celebrate during COVID-19. More information here, including how children can exchange letters with Santa in lieu of the usual visits to his cottage on Broadway.
 
Local news and happenings:
 
Vote on The Legacy Project next Tuesday, December 8, at Saratoga Springs elementary schools. The Legacy Project,is a $129.7 million capital project referendum for improvements and renovations to all eight school buildings and the transportation facility. No additional taxes will be levied if the measure passes due to financial planning and maximizing state aid. The project aligns with the Pathways Vision and prioritizes safety and security, educational program enhancements, and building improvements. In addition, the project will create energy and operational efficiencies throughout the District as well as protect the community’s long-term investment in our school facilities. The scope of the capital project was developed through a multi-year legacy planning process, which included input from various stakeholder groups, community summits, educational specification planning sessions, and the Legacy Referendum Advisory Committee.  Read more about The Legacy Project
 
Saratoga County's police reform group made up of mostly white top officials, notes Times-Union. According to reporter Wendy Liberatore, “after months of inaction to comply with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive order on police reform, Saratoga County officials announced on Tuesday evening that it has formed a ‘diverse group of local stakeholders’ to address systemic racism in the county sheriff’s office. However, the eight-member committee, known as the New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative, is made up of seven top county administrators, and elected officials, who are white. Attorney Opal Hinds is the only member who is a person of color and independent from the county.”
 
The committee is chaired by the county’s Director of Mental Health Michael Prezioso, co-chaired by the Undersheriff Richard Castle who said in September that Cuomo's executive order on police reform "is really written toward police agencies and not sheriff's offices" and also includes includes the county’s District Attorney Karen Heggen, Public Defender Andrew Blumenburg, Assistant County Attorney Michael Hartnett and two supervisors, Malta’s Darren O’Connor and Mechanicville’s Tom Richardson. Together, they are tasked to address the governor's June Executive Order 203 that is meant to address systemic racism in policing.

 
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