Welcome to your weekly newsletter of news, views and events in Saratoga Springs and beyond.
News from your Saratoga Springs Democratic Party:
County's top Democrat criticizes GOP leaders' police reform committee. In a press release reported by the Times-Union, County Democratic Committee Chair Todd M. Kerner criticized the county’s leaders for lacking “seriousness” when Supervisors Chairman Preston Allen appointed seven white county administrators and elected officials for its group of eight on the New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative, which will review the county’s Sheriff’s Office’s policies and practices for racial bias. In the press release, made available December 6, Kerner acknowledged that Saratoga County is predominately white but said “the collaborative cannot function effectively without appropriate, even disproportionate, representation for people of color.” He also complained that the county’s republican leadership lacked urgency as it waited months after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed his June executive order 203 before appointing the county’s committee.
Be a force for change. Resolve to become a candidate in 2021. Interested in running for office and making a difference in our community? 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. And 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.
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 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, December 11, 5:00 – 7:30 pm. Knights of Columbus Fundraiser Takeout Fish Fry. On the menu will be Fried or Baked Haddock ($14) or Fried Clam Strips ($12), Shrimp Salad Special ($10), New England Clam Chowder ($4), Macaroni and Cheese ($5), and Dessert ($2). Orders will begin at 1:00 pm and continue till they run out; call (518) 584-8547. Pick up your order between 5:00 and 7:30 at Knights of Columbus #246, 50 Pine Road off Rte 29; enter the building wearing a mask or call from parking lot and your meal will be brought out to you.
Friday, December 11, 7:00 pm. Virtual Holiday Homes Tour hosted by the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. The virtual Holiday Homes Tour will feature the architecture and history of two private homes on Union Avenue, the George U. Gates House built in 1868 and the Ashabel & Elizabeth Moody House built in 1873. The tour will offer a rare peek into the traditional and mid-century inspired interiors of these two historic homes while enjoying holiday music from local musicians the McKrells courtesy of Caffe Lena and singer/songwriter Cassandra Kubinski. Tickets are $20 members/$25 non-members and must be purchased by 5:00 pm on December 11 to get the Zoom link to the live event. Visit saratogapreservation.org or call (518) 587-5050 lto purchase your ticket.
Saturday, December 12, noon – 6:00 pm. Winter Wonderland Holiday Event at Toadflax Nursery. Come wander through our enchanted winter wonderland forest in our greenhouse! Sip hot cocoa, create crafts with the kids and enjoy the magical holiday spirit! Deliver letters to Santa in our North Pole mailbox; pick up a holiday crafts project ($3 per kid, includes 3 crafts); shop for greens and gifts. Repeats Sunday, same hours; Santa will be in the house from 2:00 – 4:00 pm Saturday only. Toadflax Nursery is at 1621 Rte 9 in South Glens Falls.
Saturday, December 12, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. T’was the Night Before ChristMOOSE book signing. Come out and meet Vicki Addesso Dodd and Longshot The Moose and get your signed copy of the award winning book, T’was the Night Before ChristMOOSE. At Impressions of Saratoga, 368 Broadway.
Saturday, December 11, 7:00 – 9:30 pm. Seth Warden Trio Xmas Show at The Parting Glass. Singer/songwriter Seth Warden, percussionist Brian Melick, and fiddler/vocalist Doug Moody will bring some holiday spirit to you. Reservations are encouraged by calling (518) 583-1916, limited seating available. Masks required until seated. Enjoy great music, delicious dinner, and beer specials at a safe distance. Donations appreciated. The Parting Glass is at 40-42 Lake ave.
Saturday, December 12 and Wednesday, December 16. Catch a glimpse of Santa in your neighborhood. Santa will be traveling thrugh Saratoga atop a ladder fire truck provided by King Enterprises. Look for him starting at 3 pm Saturday in Geyser Crest, and again at 3 pm Wednesday on the west side. Part of the Victorian Streetscape festivities sponsored by the Downtown Business Association in partnership with Discover Saratoga; more information here.
Saturday, December 12, 8:00 – 9:30 pm. Caffé Lena Holiday Folk Show. Every year in mid-December, folks from across the region come to Caffé Lena to enjoy a sweet, sentimental and silly celebration of the season complete with swanky décor, audience participation, and loads of lovely songs. This year, since we are unable to welcome our community to celebrate in person, we will be rebroadcasting our 2019 holiday show as a live premiere. Cast members will be joining us in the chat room as we enjoy sing-alongs, fiddle, guitar and more, played by talented folks who click like only friends can. Free to attend via YouTube.
Sunday, December 13. Jingle Bell Fun Run/Walk for Arthritis. Though the Arthritis Foundation’s 2020 Jingle Bell Run is going virtual, don’t let that stop you from jingling. Join the original festive race for charity from anywhere! Whether you want to run your favorite 5K route, challenge yourself to something new, or get moving on your treadmill, you can strut your stuff and FEEL GOOD about DOING GOOD. Every runner will receive an exclusive Jingle Bell Run short sleeve t-shirt, unique medal, and sticker for your water bottle or laptop! $35 per participant; register here.
Sunday, December 13, 4:00 – 6:30 pm. Celebration of the Wizarding World. Our banquet hall will be decorated to resemble the Great Hall at Hogwarts, so feel free to come in colors representing your house. Tickets are $29.99, available here. (Scroll down to see the registration link.) Includes themed trivia contest, constume contest, dinner buffet and magical surprises with beverages available for purchase. At The Hideaway, 35 Gracemoore Road.
Monday, December 14, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Paper Mache ornament kit at the library. Stop by the library Children's Room or Info Desk to pick up a free paper mache kit (for teens and tweens). Continues all week until supplies run out. Saratoga Springs Public Library is at 49 Henry St.
Monday, December 14, 4:00 - 6:00 pm. Bookseller Office Hours via Northshire Live. Need help with your holiday shopping list from the comfort of home? Sign on to one of our special zoom sessions with a bookseller. Let us know who you’re shopping for, and we’ll do our best to provide personalized book recommendations for everyone on your list complete with links to the relevant titles on Northshire’s website! Free to attend, but please consider making a purchase to support our event programming. Advance registration here.
Tuesday, December 15, 7:00 pm. Saratoga Springs Real Estate Meetup. Network with real estate professionals and investors in the Skidmore Room at Embassy Suites. This is a private room attached to the bar area; the hotel has set up a section for us at the bar/restaurant where social distancing practices can be maintained. Embassy Suites is at 86 Congress St in Congress Plaza.
Tuesday, December 15, 7:00 – 8:30 pm.Rochmon Record Club: 2020 Retrospective. A Rochmon Record Club Listening Party is meant to inform and deepen our understanding of the history of the individual performers, songs and the stories that went into the making music classics. Our last listening party of 2020 will look back at the artists who left the planet this year after changing our lives with their music: Bill Withers, John Prine, Mac Davis, Trini Lopez, Joseph Shabalala and Kenny Rogers to name just a few. Presented in association with Caffé Lena; complimentary tickets for the online event are 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 16, 6:00 pm.The Collectors’ Corner: Winter Holidays Edition. Many of us are used to having people around during this festive season to "ooh" and "aah" at our holiday decor, but this year, we may be doing things a little differently. Worry not -- here's your chance to share from your winter holiday collections. Join Librarian Trevor, who has collected far too many holiday decorations over the years, and tell the stories behind your collections while showing off some of your favorite items! Please register here; you will receive a Zoom link by email 3 hours prior to the presentation
Wednesday, December 16, 7:00 – 7:45 pm. Employment Training for Adults. Learn about training options for adult learners looking to retrain, retool or jumpstart their careers. Presented through WSWHE BOCES, ETA offers courses in manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, skiled trades and security. Learn more about these programs by attending this event. Register here; the Zoom link will be emailed 3 hours prior to the event.
Thursday, December 17, 4:00 pm. Preservation Book Club: The Color of Law. Widely heralded as a “masterful” (Washington Post) and “essential” (Slate) history of the modern American metropolis, Richard Rothstein’s The Color of Law offers “the most forceful argument ever published on how federal, state, and local governments gave rise to and reinforced neighborhood segregation” (William Julius Wilson). Sponsored by the Preservation League of New York State, this discussion will shed fresh light on racial zoning and other unconstitutional measures that enforced segregation in the past and how we can work to remedy them today. Free registration for the zoom link here.
Thursday, December 17, 7:00 – 8:30 pm. The Heavenly Echoes: Songs of Praise to Benefit MLK Saratoga. The Heavenly Echoes are a Southern soul-style R&B/gospel group, founded more than fifty years ago by the late Deacon James Edmonds of the Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Albany. Backed by guitar, bass, and drums, the Heavenly Echoes bring an authentic, personal style of gospel music to churches, festivals, and community-based organizations throughout the Capital Region. This event will be hosted by Caffé Lena with live stream available here; please make a donation to support the programs of MLK Saratoga.
Local news and happenings:
Voters approve $129.7M Saratoga Springs school capital project. By an unofficial count of 1,530 to 364, Saratoga Springs City School District voters on Tuesday night approved the Legacy Project providing safety improvements, technological infrastructure ugrades and classroom renovations across the district’s eight school buildings. Construction would begin around June 2022 and last through September 2028 as work at schools is phased in over time and concentrated into nights and summers, according to the Daily Gazette.
7850 doses of COVID-19 vaccine on their way to Capital District. With the first shipment of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine expected to arrive in New York this weekend, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday detailed the state's plan to distribute the first round of vaccinations. The first vaccinations will go to nursing home residents and staff, as well as front-line health care workers who are treating patients, according to the Times-Union.
City launches Homeless Court. Concerned about the pattern of homeless individuals not appearing in court or reoffending shortly after a conviction, Saratoga Springs is implementing a court program specifically for individuals facing homelessness and charged with nonviolent offenses. News10 reports that City Court Judge Francine R. Vero will preside over the Homeless Court, scheduled for the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Eligible individuals who agree to participate can receive individually tailored case management and get connected to human service providers. These services are designed to help those with mental health diagnoses or substance use disorders who live on the streets. The aim is to help them break free from a cycle that sees them routinely incarcerated.
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