Welcome to your weekly newsletter of news, views and events in Saratoga Springs and beyond.
News from your Saratoga Springs Democratic Party:
Final day to turn in your candidate questionnaire! For those interested in seeking endorsement as a Democratic candidate for a position on the City Council, or for County Supervisor for the City of Saratoga Springs, the next step is to complete the candidate questionnaire which is available on the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee website. To be eligible for an endorsement interview, a completed questionnaire must be returned to Georgana Hanson, Chair of the Nominations Sub-Committee by today, February 5 at georgana.hanson@saratogadems.org.
Support Mayor Meg Kelly’s Food Pantry Drive. The Mayor's Department will be hosting a drive-thru food drive at the Rec Center on Vanderbilt Ave Thursday-Saturday February 11th - 13th to benefit Franklin Community Center and Mother Susan Anderson Women & Children's Emergency Shelter. Help us ensure that every Saratoga family has access to the food they need! A list of needed items is here. Donation hours are 2:00 – 4:00 pm on February 11, 2:00 – 6:00 pm on February 12 and 9:00 am – noon on February 13. Rec Center is at 15 Vanderbilt Ave; enter the parking lot from Vanderbilt Ave, proceed to the circle and exit your car wearing a mask to put your items on the cart where a volunteer will assist you.
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, February 5 and Saturday, February 6. Final days for Saratoga Chowder Tour 2021. Saratoga Chowderfest has been reimagined as a week-long event in which chowder lovers can enjoy a cup or bowl at their favorite restaurant while avoiding overcrowding and adhering to New York State dining guidelines. Reservations strongly recommended; pints and quarts will also be available for takeout. Lists of participating restaurants and their food and drink specials here. There will be no paper ballots, but you can vote for your favorites online and also purchase commemorative t-shirts at this online store.
Friday, February 5, 5:30 – 8:00 pm. Jazz Night at the historic Queensbury Hotel. Jazz is back at The Q! Join us each Friday night for appetizers and cocktails in a socially distanced setting while you listen to the sounds of the Ray Alexander Jazz Trio in our lobby and lounge area! Free admission. The Queensbury Hotel is at 88 Ridge St in Glens Falls.
Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7, 8:30 am – 1:00 pm each day. Second Annual Ice Cream for Breakfast Day at King Bros Dairy. Due to COVID capacities, this year we will be featuring our menu both Saturday and Sunday to spread it out. Come enjoy brand new "Breakfast Ice Cream Flavors", Waffle Sundaes, Donut Sundaes, Cinnamon Roll Sundaes, Ice Cream Paninis, and more! Please note that indoor seating will be limited. We encourage take out or if the weather allows, tailgate and eat! King Bros Dairy is at 311 King Rd in Schuylerville.
Saturday, February 6, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. Winterfest in Clifton Park. Drive down the Northway for a day filled with family-friendly activities at locations throughout Clifton Park. Events include cross-country ski races, winter outhouse races, introduction to ice fishing, winter nature story walk, winter ParkApalooza, food trucks and activities at Riverview Orchards and Vischer Ferry General Store. Free admission to everything, including sites that normally charge an entrance fee. Details and hours for each event are in the downloadable brochure.
Saturday, February 5 through Saturday, February 13 or while supplies last. Make yourown Valentine kit at the library. Have fun making your own Valentines with this craft kit full of paper, envelopes, stickers and more! Please call the Children's Room at (518) 584-7860, extension 305 to reserve your kit for contactless pick up during library open hours. While supplies last! Saratoga Springs Public Library is at 49 Henry St.
Sunday, February 7, 10:15 am – 1:00 pm. Souped Bowl of Caring in Middle Grove. The United Methodist Church of Middle Grove will offer a variety of chilis for takeout only, with all proceeds going to the UMC Blessing Box. $6 per quart, or make a donation without chili here. UMC is at 429 Middle Grove Rd in Middle Grove.
Sunday, February 7, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Group Ride at Noble Run Farm. Our group rides are a way to get out and have fun riding with cool people. We’ll be working a some ground pole exercises and include free ride time. Doesn’t matter your discipline or riding level! We’ll have coffee and doughnuts. Ages 16+. $30 with rider if registered by February 6, $35 at the door; payment instructions here. Arrive early to tack up! Arena closes at 1 sharp. Please have negative coggins and proof of rabies on hand in case you need to show them. Noble Run Farm is at 535 Grand Ave in Saratoga.
Monday, February 8. High School All Stars online at Saratoga Arts. This virtual exhibition features artwork by students from Saratoga, Fulton and fMontgomery counties. This is a great opportunity for young artists to share their artistic voices with the public. Exhibition runs through February 28 and is viewable here; many items are for sale and are available through this link.
Monday, February 8, 7:00 pm. Melanie Watch Party: Live from Caffé Lena. A watch party is your invitation to view a classic concert from our archives with other music fans. In this case, the musician is Melanie Safka who performed at Woodstock, had her songs recorded by the likes of Ray Charles and Mott the Hoople and produced some memorable hits the epochal, nine minute-plus Woodstock-inspired, gospel-folk classic “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain),” the maddeningly catchy novelty chart topper “Brand New Key” and the bittersweet “Look What They Done to My Song, Ma.” Watch the performance recorded in July 2019 here; if you like what you hear please leave a tip for Melanie and to support ongoing programming.
Monday, February 8, 7:00 pm.Exploring the Underground Railroad in Schoharie County - Upstate New York. Ken Jones is the Town and Village Historian of Esperance, NY and has written several books on local history. In this Zoom presentation, he will cover the activities of the Underground Railroad with particular emphasis on Scoharie County as well as the emancipation movement in New York and its many supporters here. This Zoom presentation is free to all but donations are appreciated; register here.
Tuesday, February 9, noon – 1:00 pm. Warm Up America Knit Along. If you are looking to learn something new in 2021, join us, and knit along for a good cause! Each week, we will learn how to make a new knitted block for a Warm Up America blanket. All you need is a ball of yarn, size 7 or 8 needles, and knowledge of some basic knit stitches. Advance registration required here. You will receive the Zoom link via email 3 hours prior to the event.
Wednesday, February 10, 4:30 – 6:00 pm. Chicken and Biscuits for Curbside Pick Up at Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge. Dinner for 2 includes Chicken, Biscuits, Mashed Potatoes, Vegetable, Salad, 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.
Wednesday, February 3, 6:30 pm. Virtual Valentines Cooking School "Fideo and Date Night" with Boca Bistro Executive Chef Ian Sinda. Learn how to prepare Chicken and Chorizo Fideo, Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates and Chocolate Mousse. $55 includes ingredients; add $15 for a bottle of wine; register here. Ingredient packages will be available for pick-up at Boca Bistro on Sunday, February 7th and Monday, February 8th between Noon and 4pm. Shipping is currently unavailable for this class. You will be contacted via phone or email to schedule a pick-up time, and will receive a Zoom link for the event 24 hour in advance via email.
Thursday, February 11, 6:00 pm. Saratoga Book Festival Online: Michael Ian Black in Conversation. Northshire Bookstore and Saratoga Book Festival welcome comedian, actor, and author Michael Ian Black for a special virtual conversation about his latest book A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son with Skidmore College professor Beck Krefting. Michael Ian Black is an actor, comedian, and writer. His book is a poignant look at boyhood, in the form of a heartfelt letter to his teenage son before he leaves for college, and a radical plea for rethinking masculinity and teaching young men to give and receive love. Tickets $5-$33 with the higher price including a copy of the book; register here to receive the Zoom link and attend from home.
Local news and happenings:
Saratoga Springs Public Library adds 3,000 digital magazines in switch to Libby app. As of February 1, SSPL patrons can check out unlimited quantities of magazines such as The New Yorker and Adirondack Life as well as niche publications on wildlife photography, using Photoshop Elements and much more. The new app, called Libby from Overdrive, replaces the RBditital app formerly in use and can be downloaded here. The app also provides access to tens of thousands of books and audiobooks including best sellers and librarian recommendations. Free to all SSPL and Adirondack Library System cardholders, although you need to set up a digital account with Libby at the above link.
CVS will start making appointments for COVID vaccines next week. Saratoga Springs is 1 of 32 statewide locations which will begin making appointments on Tuesday, February 9 for vaccinations starting Thursday, February 11. Initial supplies will be tight, with 20,600 doses for all New York locations, but should expand significantly over time. Patients must register in advance at CVS.com or through the CVS Pharmacy app, and people without online access can contact CVS customer service: 800-746-7287. Walk-in vaccinations without an appointment will not be provided.
New York State is encouraging eligible New Yorkers to train to become vaccinators. If you are a licensed practical nurse, a dentist, an EMT, a medical or nursing student with at least a year of clinical experience, and more — then you may be eligible to take training to become a vaccinator and help New York administer COVID vaccines over the coming months. See how you can get involved here.
Want to support local Democratic candidates and the work of the Saratoga Springs Democratic Party? It’s easy! Use this PayPal link to make a one-time or monthly contribution of as little as $5.
