Welcome to your weekly newsletter of news, views and events in Saratoga Springs and beyond.
News from your Saratoga Springs Democratic Party:
State, local dems call for Stefanik’s resignation. Sign the petition here. The petition, sponsored by the New York State Democratic Party, demands that Republican Representatives Chris Jacobs (NY-27), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), and Lee Zeldin (NY-01) resign for their complicity in Wednesday’s deadly insurrection on the US Capitol. Said State Chairman Jay S. Jacobs, the four “have not only violated their oath of office, they have disgraced the districts and state that they represent. These four have spent weeks and months delegitimizing our electoral process thereby undermining our faith in our democratic institutions. Yesterday, we saw the grave consequences of supporting such divisive and false claims. These Elected Officials do not deserve to hold office and represent New York. If you agree, please sign this petition demanding their resignation.”
Thank you Georgia! Thank you Saratoga! The races were close, but Democratic candidates won both Senate seats in the Georgia runoff—meaning both houses of Congress will have a Dem majority! Thanks to the many local folks who wrote postcards, contributed to the Warnock and Ossoff campaigns directly or to Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight voter mobilization drive, and to the Schenectady Dems who traveled to Georgia to put boots on the ground in the cause of democracy and against fascism.
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 8, noon – 1:00 pm. Posture and Balance with Kristin Brenner. There are many challenges to a healthy spine during this stay-at-home quarantine: computer and cell phone use, television viewing, and low activity levels. Join us in exploring yoga postures as an antidote. The program is free but advance registration is required at this link; you will receive an email with the Zoom login 3 hours prior to the event. Presented by Saratoga Springs Public Library.
Friday, January 8, 8:00 pm. DaveMaswick & Joel Brown Live from Caffé Lena. Renowned Saratoga guitarist Joel Brown has been featured with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, at Tanglewood, with the Boston Pops, and on stages around the globe. Dave Maswick was in the early MTV hit band Blotto, and has long played bass for The Stony Creek Band, a progressive country-bluegrass outfit. Combine these two seasoned musicians and you get exquisite, hook-laden, modern folk pop. Tonight we enjoy a full show of their pretty, melodic original music. Watch for free via this YouTube link, but if you like the show please leave a tip to support the musicians and the ongoing programming at Caffé Lena.
Saturday, January 9, noon – 1:30 pm.Clawhammer Banjo with Bruce Molsky. The first in a four-week class taught by renowned old-time musician Bruce Molsky; tuition is $140 via EventBrite. Classes are via Zoom and headphones or earbuds will be really helpful. Instructions for signing on will be sent to registrants when they enroll. Suggested experience level: If you have at least a small repertoire of tunes and feel comfortable learning short phrases by ear, then you'll be fine. This is one of several Caffé Lena classes starting in January for both youth and adult musicians; see the complete schedule here.
Sunday, January 10, 1:00 pm. Saratoga Spa State Park Pop-up Walk. Empire State Capital Volkssporters is pleased to announce our first winter, 2021 pop-up 5k or 10k event at in Saratoga Spa State Park! We will meet in the back of the Hilton Garden Inn parking lot. The walk route is mainly on pavement, with a short section of trail. We will meet for sign in between 1-1:30 pm. and conditions may determine our route. We could also snowshoe or ski if there is snow. Check back for changes. Walkers must sign a waiver and pay a $3 walk fee; masks must be worn at the start point and anywhere social distancing cannot be maintained. Hilton Garden Inn is at 125 S Broadway.
Monday, January 11, 7:00 pm. Rick’s Picks: Bob Redmond & Kate McDonald. Saratoga's beloved Rick Bolton has given a mic and an opportunity to hundreds of aspiring musicians at his weekly Open Mics. With the live sessions on hold due to the pandemic, we've asked Rick take over our stage each Monday to play some tunes and showcase two of his current favorites. Don't miss this chance to discover phenomenal new talent right in our own backyard! YouTube link is here; if you like the show please leave a tip for the musicians.
Tuesday, January 12, 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Ravioli & Bruschetta Cooking School hosted by Chianti Il Ristorante. Join Chef Fabrizio Bazzani live from the comfort of your own kitchen for a virtual cooking school and a hands-on Butternut Squash Ravioli and Tomato Bruschetta class. Interact and learn tips as you together prepare a fantastic authentic Italian meal from start to finish. $55 includes ingredients and tax; sign up here. Ingredient packages will be available for pick-up at Chianti Ristorante on Saturday, January 9th and Sunday January 10th between noon and 4:00 pm. You will be contacted via phone or email to schedule a pick-up time. Chianti Il Ristorante is at 18 Division St.
Wednesday, January 13, 4:30 – 6:00 pm. Meat Loaf Dinner for curbside pickup at Wilton Elks Lodge. Dinner for two is $25 (cash only) and gets you: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Vegetable, Salad, Roll & Gravy. 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. Note: these dinners frequently sell out. Call early to avoid disappointment.
Wednesday, January 13, 5:30 – 6:30 pm.Remembering RBG: An Evening with The Honorable Robert Katzmann, Justice Ginsburg’s Family, and Former Law Clerks. An extraordinary panel discusses Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, shedding light on the woman behind the icon. The discussion will include topics such as her memorable decisions, Supreme Court confirmation, work ethic, impact on gender equality and approach to the law. Presented online by the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section’s Young Lawyers of the New York State Bar Association. Free for members, $25 for non-members, register here.
Thursday, January 14, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. Blue Knights Blood Drive. Give blood, play hockey! Every donation will give us $10 toward equipment for Saratoga Youth Hockey. At Gideon Putnam Hotel in Spa Park. More information here.
Thursday, January 14, 10:00 – 11:00 am. Let's Travel Again! Tips for Planning U.S. Travels. Want to resume travel in 2021? Start by attending this free event sponsored by Saratoga Springs Public Library. Join Rhona Koretzky, tour guide and travel planner, to begin to navigate the possibilities for travel within the U.S. that will gradually open. This is an online event via Zoom; register here to receive the sign-in link 3 hours prior to the event.
Thursday, January 14, 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Northshire Live: Elisa Spungen Bildner and Robert Bildner present The Berkshires Farm Table Cookbook. Telling the story of family-run agriculture through the language of food, The Berkshires Farm Table Cookbook offers 125 recipes to recall the magic of the Berkshire region for readers far and wide. Free for readers who have purchased the book from Northshire with a sliding scale for others; register here.
Thursday, January 14, 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Trivia Night at Nostalgia Ale House & Wine Bar. Have some fun, bring a friend, but don’t forget to wear your mask and practice social distancing. Details here. 113 Route 9P in Malta.
Local news and happenings:
Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly won’t run again. Mayor Meg Kelly will not seek a third term, Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee Chair Sarah Burger told the Times-Union. "She did not give a specific reason," Burger said. "I think she's moving onto something else. She's been working in City Hall for five years. ... It's really not a surprise." The 62-year-old, a former deputy mayor to Mayor Joanne Yepsen, won her first term in 2017, beating Republican Mark Baker. In her first term, she oversaw the temporary move of City Hall operations to the Recreation Center after the historic building was struck by lightning that ignited on the third floor. She ushered through controversial projects such as the City Center Parking Garage while supporting Shelters of Saratoga and working to find a winter home for Code Blue. "We thank her for her service to our city," Burger said of Kelly, “and wish her the very best in future endeavors."
Vaccine update: who, how and when. A comprehensive article in Saratoga Today by Thomas Dimopoulis gathers the latest information about COVID-19 vaccinations in Saratoga County. “The vaccine is here. It’s a light at the end of the tunnel and we see this ending the pandemic ultimately, but to do that we need to have 70% of our population vaccinated. In Saratoga County that’s 168,000 people we need vaccinated. So far, we’ve been able to vaccinate about 3% of the population, so we have a long way to go,” Mike McEvoy, EMS Coordinator for Office of Emergency Services at Saratoga County, said this week. Currently, vaccinations are lagging behind expectations at the same time the new, more contagious (but not more deadly) UK strain was identified at a Saratoga Springs jewelry store. According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, “the experts are talking about March-April for large-scale, general population distribution” with shots for healthcare workers, front line responders and other high-risk groups happening now.
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