Saratoga thoughts February 20, 2012

Here we go....

• I see the third annual Saratoga County Restaurant Week goes this year from March 16-25. For $20.12 you will get a three-course dinner at more than 40 participating Saratoga County restaurants, many right here in the Spa City. When this first started in 2010, there were very few Saratoga Springs restaurants that participated, but that changed starting last year.
• I pointed out last week that Mayor Scott Johnson made the right call on the South Side Rec center, and I was happy to see the Mayor mention South Broadway's problems in his recent state-of-the-city address.  The only problem is that I was pointing out these same problems over a year ago.  The city Democratic Committee recently wrote an opinion piece in The Saratogian accusing His Honor of having no vision, being slow to react, and certainly not being proactive.  With the aforementioned Rec Center being the lone exception, I couldn't agree more. 
• Speaking of failing to be proactive and lacking foresight, I haven't heard much lately about the dangerous traffic situation on South Broadway.  Did NY State DOT go back to sleep?  I certainly hope I'm wrong, but I just have a feeling there is another awful accident pending on that deadly stretch of highway. 
• I don't know if I'm a subscriber, member, customer or what of Groupon, but I've recently signed on and have noticed there are not too many offerings for places here in the Spa City.  Most offerings seem to be centered around Albany. 
• There seems to be quite a buzz about the Brad Pitt movie about Solomon Northrup.  That's great that this historical figure, who certainly had an amazing life, will be getting his due on the big screen.  I just am not expecting a shot in the arm for the local economy from it - there are no indications that any of the filming will be done here.  In fact, why would they film here?  It would be very costly and there isn't a whole lot left, as far as buildings and such, from Northrup's time in this region.  I'm not saying this won't have some positive effects for our region; I'm just not expecting those effects to be significant. 
• Well, Van-Halen is coming to the north, south, east, and west of Saratoga on this spring's tour - namely Montreal, NYC, Boston, and Buffalo - but no SPAC.  Well a SPAC show could have been a mess, with all sorts of crazies, but I would still like to see it.

 

• I'm hearing word that the Oklahoma Track may open early this year.  Well that would be a good thing - and would be something that could give the local economy a shot with horse owners and trainers moving here that much earlier.  If this is true I'm assuming it means 2 or 3 weeks early, meaning a very late March/early April opening.  The buildings there aren't winterized, so I couldn't imagine how they could open up any earlier. 
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• How sad that Saratoga's own Tuskegee Airman Clarence Dart died a few days ago.  At least he was able to see the movie Red Tails, and he even received a standing ovation when introduced at the Wilton Cinemas' debut of the movie last month.  His death is sad, but I'm very happy that he at least lived long enough to receive honors from the President, Congress, and Hollywood, and knew before he died that neither he nor his fellow Tuskegee Airmen would ever be forgotten. 
• February is almost done and Saratoga Springs organizations are talking summer.  SPAC recently announced the lineup for the 35th annual Freihofer's Jazz Fesival on June 30 & July 1.  The Oklahoma Track is opening soon and we're talking about summer concerts.  Life is looking good in Saratoga Springs! 

• I'll end with this link of a reporter writing about a chance meeting with Whitney Houston here in Saratoga Springs in the late 1980s.  Perhaps it was the same time she was performing at SPAC in 1987 that this Youtube video below shows. The late singer sure gave an energetic performance of "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" that night, and the crowd was jumping and the place was rocking.  They sure got their money's worth from Ms. Houston that night. 

 

That's it for now folks.  Have a great week!

Comments

[Jeff Schwartz]

Hi Dan - I read your stuff on a very regular basis - great Saratoga info. And I recall in the past you wondered if there are folks out there reading it. Consider this confirmation. Anyway, as to your Groupon comment - I am a Groupon and Living Social user. As for Spa City deals, I have bought/used deals for Ben & Jerry's, the Strike Zone, 7 Horse Pub, 50 South, The Bread Basket (on both deal sites), Hattie's, Bruegger's and even the little burger stand right outside the clubhouse entrance to the track. These sites treat the Capital Region as one area, since the cities within the region are on the smaller side (as compared to major metrpolitan areas). That is probably why the deals offered cover a broad geographic area. Just an FYI. Keep up the good work.

JBS

[Dan De Federicis]

Well thanks for the nice comments Jeff! And I've been on Groupon for less than 2 weeks, so perhaps I was a bit impatient waiting on Saratoga deals. Based on your report, I'll look forward to seeing what is coming down the pike. Thanks Jeff.

[Michael T]

also I have gotten some for memphis BBQ, Caputos, Parting Glass and Sangwych. I subscribe to all the different sights so not positive wich ones I got them from. They go in streaks when the salesman is spending time in the area I would guess.

[Dan]

OK great thanks Michael I'll keep looking.

[Michael T]

ok just to keep you posted, today on LivingSocial.com (similar to groupon) they are offering Max Londons

http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/368/deals/242676-40-to-spend-on-locally-sourced-american-fare

[Dan]

Oh hey thanks and I just noticed a bunch of Saratoga deals off of Groupon - I definitely spoke too soon lol.