Yes, as Mike Jarboe of the Times Union once so astutely noted: when the Travers is over, it must mean it's 15 minutes until Christmas. Seems about right, therefore the yuletide greetings. Here are some more thoughts on this past track season and the soon-to-be end of summer.
- This cool but sunny weather, combined with the end of the season and a t-shirt giveaway, sure brought the crowds to the track this past Sunday. I haven't seen lines like that in a few years. That's a good thing of course. On a related note, here's a newsflash from the Saratogian: Track numbers were down this year.
- Now that track season is over, that means we've seen the last of this mini Hulk Hogan guy, right? Wrong. it seems like he loves the attention so much that he'll keep showing up places. I saw him at the track seemingly every day, then one night on Caroline Street, then inside Gaffney's. $50 bucks says he'll show up to the Victorian Streetwalk. ADDED: Hours after I wrote this - I saw this article and realized this goofball isn't going away any time soon.
- Bummer: PJ's Barbecue closes for the season this Sunday, September 12th. ADDED: Mr. Sunshine commented below that Mr. Ed's on RT 29 is a good alternative.
- Also, CDTA's seasonal routes, including the Trolley and Route 471 bus have ended until next May.
- I (foolishly?) thought NYRA recycled those racing programs that are discarded in the "Programs Only" barrels, but the way the program sellers keep the barrels so closely monitored, I guess it's just a way to block late arriving patrons from hampering sales by picking through the garbage for a free one.
- On Monday I had a nice breakfast with visiting family at the Country Corner Cafe on High Rock Avenue. I assume that location is still for sale, along (of course) with numerous other commercial establishments in town.
- Jesus, not only have the leaves on my neighbor's maple tree started changing, but they are falling and there's already a pile. My calendar says it's still summer, but Mother Nature has her own calendar.
- A friend of mine sent me this hard-hitting commentary from The Daily News about the terrible living conditions for backstretch workers at the track. Speaking of this friend, I think I've successfully lured him into my cult-like "late night D'Andrea's pizza eaters" group. He fought me most of the way, but at just 2 bucks a slice, they slowly sucked him in before he realized it.
- C'mon All Over Albany, throw me a bone and link this post.
- I'll leave you with this note: Just 318 days til the 2011 Saratoga Race Course Season.
You can replace PJ's with Mr. Ed's on 29, who recently bought a smoker and started his Memphis BBQ. It's great.
Posted by: Mr. Sunshine | September 08, 2010 at 09:47 AM