Welcome to your weekly newsletter of news, views and events in Saratoga Springs and beyond.
News from your Saratoga Springs Democratic Party:
Trump is first President to be impeached twice. On Wednesday, January 13, Donald Trump was impeached by the US House of Representatives on the charge of “Incitement of Insurrection” after last week’s Capitol riot. 10 Republicans joined 222 Democrats in voting for the measure. Senator Mitch McConnell has said he will not bring the Senate back for a trial prior to President-elect Biden’s inauguration on January 20, but a trial is likely after Democrats attain the Senate majority and insiders say that McConnell may favor conviction as a way to purge his party of Trump’s influence. If Trump is convicted, he would be disqualified from holding office again.
Local Republican official resigns after Capitol riot appearance. Sharon Pineo, a Malta town official who was photographed at the Capitol being detained by law enforcement (she was later released without being charged), has resigned her post. She was also the organizer of the GOP bus that took Trump supporters to Washington, DC for the event. Separately, the FBI is following up some 50,000 tips connected to the riot and is considering sedition and conspiracy charges for an unknown number of perpetrators; to submit videos or photos of the riot to the FBI, go to fbi.gov/USCapitol, call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or go to tips.fbi.gov
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, January 15, 5:00 – 7:30 pm. Knights of Columbus Fundraiser Takeout. For $18.00, you will have your choice of Lasagna, Braciola, or Chicken Parmesan, served with pasta, salad, and rolls. Orders must be called in ahead of time to (518) 584-8547 on Wednesday, January 13th and Thursday, January 14th, between the hours of 1:00 and 4:00. Orders will also be taken on Friday, the day of the event, beginning at 1:00 until we run out with pickup (inside with masks, or curbside) from 5:00 to 7:30 pm. Knights of Columbus #246 is at 50 Pine Road on the west side of Saratoga.
Friday, January 15, 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Northshire Live: Joseph Bruchac. The acclaimed Abenaki children’s book author presents his new book One Real American in conversation with fellow author Steve Sheinki. The book tells the story of Ely S. Parker (1828-1895), a member of the Seneca (Iroquois) Nation who became an attorney, engineer, and tribal diplomat. Parker drafted the terms of the Confederate surrender at Appomattox at the end of the Civil War and eventually became President Grant’s Commissioner of Indian Affairs, the first Native American to hold that post. Tickets for the Zoom event are on a sliding scale from $0 to $20; register here.
Friday, January 15, 7:00 – 8:00 pm. The 6th Annual Dr. King Challenge. The theme of this year’s MLK Weekend Celebration is “Let’s Talk, Saratoga!” Events kick off with a hour of curated performances by regional artists streamed over YouTube; register to attend for free at this link. It’s the first of many events presented by MLK throughout the weekend and on Monday, January 18 honoring Dr. King’s birthday; more information and complete schedule here.
Saturday, January 16, 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Community Conversation: Police Reform in our Community. We’ll begin with a brief overview of policing in America and current reform efforts in our region, including the work of the Saratoga Springs’ Police Reform Task Force. We will then open the conversation to comments and questions from the public about your concerns, experiences, and interactions with local law enforcement. Register here to attend via Zoom; complete listing of other MLK weekend events here.
Saturday, January 16, 7:00 pm. Words Have Power: Inspiring Equity, Environmental Justice and Joy, with Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes and Shay Youngblood. In partnership with MLK Saratoga’s Dr. King Celebration Weekend and Northshire Bookstore, we are delighted to present two Yaddo luminaries in conversation. Online via Zoom; free when you register here.
Sunday, January 17, 1:00 – 2:30 pm. Winter Discovery Walk at Wilton Wildlife Preserve. Join us for a guided hike all about winter exploration and discovery. Look for animal tracks and learn about different plant and animal adaptations for winter survival. Meet at Camp Saratoga North and dress for the weather. Snowshoes are available for rental for the program. If there is no snow, the program will take place without snowshoes. Repeats on Monday, January 18, same time and place. Reservations are required, please email info@wiltonpreserve.org or call (518) 450-0321. Wilton Wildlife Preserve is at 80 Scout Rd in Gansevoort.
Sunday, January 17, 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Film & Community Discussion: Shelter. A 45 min. original regional docudrama on Homelessness produced by Creative Action Unlimited with Q&A Panel Discussion to follow with director Michael Kennedy (Creative Action Unlimited) and Duane Vaughn (Shelters of Saratoga), and Andy Gilpin (CAPTAIN Community Services), as well as others. Register here to attend via Zoom; complete listing of other MLK weekend events here.
Monday, January 18. National Day of Service in honor of Dr. King. The weekend celebration concludes with a menu of opportunities to serve your community and the cause of peace and fellowship for all. Franklin Community Center food drive; making personal toiletry kits for Code Blue; community outreach with Shelters of Saratoga; children’s book drive at Temple Sinai; at-home activism as community service and much more. Register for volunteer projects on this page.
Monday, January 18, 11:00 am – noon. Roots of Black Music in America With Karlus Trapp. Children and their families are invited to join educator and performer Karlus Trapp as he celebrates Martin Luther King Day by taking you on a joyful 100-year interactive journey, tracing the roots of Black Music in America. Geared for all ages, Karlus combines music performance with history in a fun, engaging, and educational manner. This free event is presented by Saratoga Springs Public Library. Register here and you will receive a Zoom link via email 3 hours prior to the presentation.
Monday, January 18, 6:30 pm. Zoom dance lesson with Tango Fusion. The local studio has announced its winter schedule with Rumba and East Coast Swing on Mondays; Ballroom Solo Jazz, West Coast Swing and Salsa on Tuesdays; Line Dancing on Thursdays. Classes are interactive via Zoom, though some in-person instruction is available. For more information go to tangofusiondance.com or email info@tangofusiondance.com .
Tuesday, January 19, 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Saratoga Stress Reduction Program Winter Session. The first in an 8-week series of integrative health and wellness classes that will meet via Zoom. The course is taught by Dr. Selma Nemer, PhD, and Pierre Zimmerman, MS. Students learn multiple forms of mindfulness-based meditation as well as the latest neuroscience findings about the impact of mindfulness on the brain and our ability to heal. More details, including fees and registration forms, at oneroofsaratoga.com or call Dr. Nemer at (518) 581-3180, ext 307.
Tuesday, January 19 through Thursday January 21, 6:00 – 7:00 pm each night. Career and Technical Education Open House at BOCES. Learn how CTE programs help students prepare for careers and college through hands-on learning, internships and partnerships with business and industry. 20 courses will be featured in this in-person open house with a different set of courses each night; see the registration page for details. Enhanced safety measures including masks and a temperature check will be in place. A virtual option will also be available. Advance registration required at careerandteched.org. At F. Donald Meyers Education Center, 15 Henning Rd.
Wednesday, January 20, 2:00 – 3:30 pm. Grant-Focused Skillshare Series: How Grants Work. The first in a five-part series which runs through January 29, this session will focus on the basic steps necessary to successfully plan, develop, and submit grant applications in a timely and effective manner. Sponsored by Nonprofit Works and delivered via Zoom; proceeds will benefit UUCSS (Unitarian Universalist Church of Saratoga Springs). $150 for the series, $30 for individual sessions with preference to those who register for all five programs as space is limited. Register here. If questions, email paul@nonprofitworks.com or call (518) 581-8841.
Wednesday, January 20, 4:30 – 6:00 pm. Chicken Marsala Dinner for Curbside Pick Up at Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge. Dinner for 2 includes Chicken Marsala, long grain wild rice, salad, vegetable and roll for $25; cash only please. Call (518) 584-2585 between 10 am and noon on Monday or Tuesday to order for curbside pickup on Wednesday. Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161 is at 1 Elks Lane, off Maple Ave and opposite the Triangle Diner.
Thursday, January 21, 7:00 pm. Community Classroom: Food Justice in our Nation & Community. Presented by Caffé Lena and In Our Name Initiative, this online event will examine food justice in the the United States, with particular focus on the urgent issues of food insecurity and food apartheid here in the Capital Region. A free, live streamed panel discussion featuring community activists, academics, and social service workers will examine the impact and causes of hunger. Online viewers will have the opportunity to present questions, challenges and ideas during the discussion. Attend by viewing the Caffé Lena Facebook Live page.
Local news and happenings:
COVID-19 vaccine distribution to increase significantly, but timing unknown. More than 50 million people in the US who are 65 or older, as well as younger people with underlying conditions, are now eligible to receive a vaccine after the Centers for Disease Control followed President-elect Biden’s lead and approved release of all available doses as quickly as possible. Distribution, however, has lagged supply and many doses have expired unused because of difficulty coordinating healthcare delivery with the original, more restrictive requirements. New Yorkers who believe they are eligible can sign up for appointments using the state’s online Am I Eligible tool; this week the results were listing many local distribution centers but none had shots or appointments available.
Beloved local figure Matt McCabe dies of COVID-19. McCabe, former Commissioner of Finance on the Democratic line and owner of Saratoga Guitar, passed away this week at the age of 63 after suffering complications of the COVID-19 virus. Every musician in the region and every family who has come to Saratoga Guitar for lessons, to rent a band instrument or just to talk music has fond memories of Matt’s kindness and generosity. Matt was also a talented musician in his own right, performing at many local venues including Caffé Lena. “He was just my go-to person if I needed to know anything musically about anything in Saratoga,” says Sarah Craig, executive director of Caffè Lena, of McCabe. “He knew everybody, and everybody loved him.” Thanks to Will Levith for his touching tribute in Saratoga Today, which included Will’s own personal memories of Matt.
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