Fun in Saratoga

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Saratoga thoughts July 23, 2012

Thought, thoughts, and more thoughts.  Here we go.

• Wow! What terrific weather for opening weekend.  What unfortunately wasn't so terrific seemed to be the attendance - there was a nice crowd but plenty of empty seats, parking spaces, and from my very unscientific perusal - hotel parking spaces.  That is not a dismal thing - I think it's just the fact that many people, both Capital District residents as well as out-of-towners, don't get too excited about track season until August.  Still, with the near-perfect weather, I would have liked more people.
• One guy who wasn't complaining this weekend was jockey Ramon Dominguez.  Congratulations Ramon on your record six wins on Sunday!
• I really appreciated the weather during the Silks and Satins 5K.  It was cool and almost misty during the race - and Margarita and I enjoyed the run through the east side.  A big thanks to all the volunteers and corporate sponsors.
• Well there sure was a lot of hoopla about the food choices this season at the track.  The owner of Hattie's sure complained with her new location in the Carousel, but there was a line for me to wait in when I went to Hattie's stand at the track on Sunday.  I would think twice about going to Hattie's again - I made what I thought was a simple request and asked for an extra plate so the three of us could share a fried chicken dinner and a few salads and they said they didn't have any.  I pointed to the containers they serve the food in and they said they are inventoried and they couldn't give one of them either.  Four pieces of fried chicken is a lot for one person for lunch on a hot day - so we wanted to share.  C'mon Hattie's get with it.
• On that subject, it would be nice if they could reserve some of the tables in the Carousel for the diners at Hattie's, Shirley's etc. - there was nowhere to sit because the betters just sort of squatted there.  The kicker, and therefore the answer, was that the upstairs part of the Carousel was completely empty. If they set it up for betters to sit (with TVs etc.) so the diners could dine downstairs that would work.
• Still talking about track food - I see Duo also has a booth.  I'm just not feelin Sushi at the track.  I'm also not feelin Moe's - not so much an anti-Mexican thing - just an anti chain thing.  Chains are fine in their place - like Wilton. 
• The music at Hats Off Weekend was fantastic as well - at least the two bands I saw were.  Maximus, playing on Caroline Street, was really good.  The lead singer reminded me of Leather Tuscadaro - at least from 30 feet without my glasses (You probably have to be over 40 to get that Leather Tuscadaro reference).  Captain Squeeze and the Zydeco Moshers were just phenomenal, and I really enjoyed their last set, which included not only their signature cajun numbers, but some inspired renditions of Beatles and Doobies songs, to name a few. 

 

What wasn't so great was my experience on the Saratoga Chamber's web site when I looked up info for the Hats Off Festival.  I had to search the relatively small font on the front page to find the Hats Off information.  That information should have been featured in a large banner or something, but the Saratoga chamber's web site is old and tired - even the colors are drab - and doesn't offer a way to feature timely information.  Maybe a new site is already in the works, but if not then they really should get going on that. 

• When I was downtown during the festival I hated seeing the empty storefronts - the old Borders and Grey Gelding locations sure stood out.  But there were some bright spots - like the new place in the old Divinly Revolution location, and Boca Bistro sure looked great.
• Going further down Broadway, I predicted a while back that the Thirsty Owl Wine Tasting room would be open by track season. As the below picture shows, it sure seems like they are doing major work there and there is still a ways to go.  They originally hoped to open by July 1st, but it seems more like it will be late August before they finish. Travers weekend? 

 

• Attorneys for trainer Rick Dutrow, whose 10 year suspension was just upheld by the State Supreme Court Appelate Division, defiantly declared they would appeal the latest ruling to the New York State Court of Appeals.  The sports reporters covering this case apparently weren't well versed on the New York court system, because the two articles I read failed to mention that Dutrow has an extremely low chance to even have his appeal heard by New York's top court, much less win.  Dutrow must request "leave to appeal" and those requests are rarely granted - in probably well less than five percent of the cases.  Obtaining leave to appeal can be done, in fact I was involved in a successful effort once, but the odds are against him - and this is just to get his case before the court - then he has to win.  If Rick Dutrow doesn't think these justices read the papers, and therefore know about the problems in the horse racing industry as well as Governor Andrew Cuomo's recently expressed concerns, he's not smelling the coffee. My money says this appeal goes nowhere.
• Let's end with some pizza.  I'm not a big coupon user but Inferno Pizza has some pretty good coupon deals in the Saratogian's What's Happening Thursday insert, as well as on-line here.

OK folks, have a great week.  See ya at Inferno!

Check out nearly 200 old Saratoga photos on the Times Union web site

Click here to see some great old photos of Saratoga Springs (like the one of the track in 1938 below) on the Times Union web site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame to host Greg Montgomery - Travers poster artist

The below poster and post is from the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame Facebook Page:

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will be hosting "An Evening with Greg Montgomery" on Thursday, July 19 at 7 p.m. Greg will be discussing his series of Travers Stakes posters, which he has been doing since 1986. The event is free and open to the public. You may also purchase the 2012 poster (pictured above) and get it autographed for $50. This will be a great event. Hope to see you there.

Saratoga Thoughts July 3, 2012

And let's see if I can start the week off with getting the ol' blog updated.  Here are one Saratogian' thoughts two and a half weeks away from track season:

• Speaking of track season, it sure is starting to feel like it already arrived with the crowds, traffic etc. It's not quite up to August levels, but you can feel the proximity.  That is a good thing.
• Catching up on some old news, despite the limited reassurances from the Saratogian, I can't help but feel sad to know their building got sold and they'll likely be out of there in three years.  I get it, it's cheaper to park someone at Uncommon Grounds on a laptop than to pay for an office in a valuable building - I just don't like it. 
• Speaking of the Saratogian, Jamie - we hardly knew ya!  Recently departed reporter Jamie Munks was there for about a cup of coffee before she left.  Let's hope they are able to find someone who sticks around for a while - JRC upping the paltry salary may help.
• I missed strawberry season at the Farmers' Market!  Damn.  I went there a couple of weeks ago later in the morning and they were sold out.  I went early on Saturday, but it's the very end of the season and the pickings were slim.
• There is a pasta dinner at the Holiday Inn tonight (7/3) for those running in tomorrow's Firecracker 4.  $12 will get you a dinner that Includes tossed salad, pasta with or without sauce and meatballs, rolls and iced tea or lemonade.  There will also be a doughboy eating contest right after the race with 7 Esperanto customers facing off against 7 chosen Firecracker 4 runners. 
• When did the Mexican Connection become a "Tequilaria"?  I ran by there last week and saw the sign said it was a Tequilaria and I didn't know if that was a new branding thing or something that's been around for years that I didn't notice.  I found some old pics online where the Mexican Connection sign said "Cantina", so there was a change somewhere along the way.  I see Mannix Marketing is handling their web site - well someone is doing a sloppy job along the way because the web site and Facebook Page alternately refer to the Nelson Avenue Restaurant as a "Tequilaria" and a "Tequilera". 

 

• On that same run, I noticed that the South Broadway Mobil is now a Red-Kap store.  As is the case with all Spa City gas stations, the gas there is still overpriced, in case you were wondering.
• 
  I'm damn excited about the new theater planned for the old Price Chopper location.  Tom Dimopoulos had an interesting idea when he tweeted that he'd like to see the Theater open up showing Saratoga films on all 11 screens.  The Times Union also had an article last week about the movie theaters that were in the Spa City decades ago.
• The You Idiot blog had a couple of interesting posts recently.  One was about the new 28 Tables keeping a full menu available until midnight, the other was the rumor about Orange County Choppers possibly opening in the old Borders location.  I got a kick out of reading the back-and-forth comments on his post about Chef Mark Graham going to Max London's.
• Another blog I like is Saratoga Mama, but she has gone back to family-friendly posts like "Vacation Bible School in Saratoga County – 2012 Roundup" and "More Perks from the Libraries in Saratoga County".  C'mon Colleen!  You have to utilize both of your talents, the first of course being the ability to write well on parenting issues in the Saratoga region, and the second to get fired up and go off on sub-par Saratoga Springs restaurants, and Ellwood Commons being a bust so far. Sigh.  I guess I'll go back to reading You Idiot for controversy and drama. 
• Speaking of Ellwood Commons, I see BBL Construction is opening a Recovery Sports Bar there.  Maybe they read Saratoga Mama's blog.

OK folks, that's it for now.  See you at the Firecracker 4!

 

 

Saratoga Thoughts June 4, 2012

Well I was sure busy last week, and therefore have not done much blogging.  I had a little bit of extra time this weekend, so here are one Saratogian's thoughts to start off the week:

• The Thirsty Owl Wine Tasting Room, at the former Kimberly Inn, sure is coming along.  The owners told the Saratogian back in October that they hoped to open by July 1st.  I'm not sure if they'll make that date, but track season seems like a go.    You can link Thirsty Owl's Facebook Page here.  That's good to see new signs of life on South Broadway - now if only the diner would open back up.

 

• Speaking of out of town businesses opening Spa City locations, I checked with Spot Coffee, the Canadian company with several locations in Buffalo that is planning on opening a location in the Market Center Building.  It looks like that location won't open until fall.  I recently stopped by one of the suburban Buffalo locations -it's a clean bright store that looks like it will fit in well on Railroad Avenue. 

• The vacant Peppers Market on Lake Avenue sure is looking...abandoned.  I think it's leaning even more than ever.   I'd like to see someone go in there and open it back up - I love cool neighborhood delis where you can get some good prepared food, the newspaper, and even a few groceries. 
• Did you see Universal Preservation Hall profiled in the Times Union in their front page article headlined "Old Churches Still have Prayer"?  Good for Teddy Foster and UPH for some positive press!  Check out the pics with the article.  Click here for UPH's monthly newsletter.
• The movie Virgin Alexander, filmed in and around Saratoga Springs, will be released on DVD on July 17. Well it wasn't a great movie but it was still filmed in Saratoga.   
• I attended a function at Longfellows recently - damn they have a good operation there.  The food was served to 70 people quickly and it was hot and delicious.  I was at a different catered event recently in a supposedly nice place (out-of town) and the food was cold and not good.  Good for Longfellows for being a great place - as well as its sister restaurant The Olde Bryan Inn. 

That was sure a rough storm last Tuesday. What a shame that old tree at Empire State College fell down - those big old trees are treasures and really add to the feel of Union Avenue.  Oh well I guess it's just Mother Nature again showing us who's boss.

Around and about:

The Final Deadline for the Firecracker 4 is June 4th - that's today folks. 

Check out Saratoga Olive Oil's June newsletter, which includes discounts, Fathers' Day specials, and more.

Check out information here on the Turf Club's Happy Hour and breakfasts.

Click here to read about SPAC's Gala.

OK that's if for now folks.  Have a great week.

Go See Avenue Q at Saratoga Arts Center this weekend

There are many reasons why Saratoga Springs is such a great place to live, and our arts scene is very high on that list.  My wife and I saw Avenue Q down in NYC last year and in Saratoga last weekend, and you have have a chance to catch this hilarious Tony Award winning play this Saturday or Sunday at the Saratoga Arts Center.   I highly recommend it, but don't let the puppets fool you - it's over the top with sexual humor and it's certainly not suitable for kids or those easily offended (or embarrassed).  Here's a good test: if you liked the movie "There's Something About Mary", then you'll probably laugh away at Avenue Q. It's more than just sexual content, and in fact it's better described as about real life adult challenges with a bit of sexual humor thrown in. The showtimes are 2pm and 8pm on Saturday June 2, and 2pm on Sunday June 3rd.  Click here for a Saratogian article on the play.

Listen to 91.1 WSPN Skidmore radio Saturdays from 8-9am to listen to Talk Saratoga

Listen to my friend Rick Thompson on Talk Saratoga WSPN 91.1 FM Skidmore Radio Saturday mornings from 8-9am.  The guest this Saturday (May 26th) will be Pat Kane, Co-Founder of Saratoga Citizen.  Phone in your questions for Pat at 580-5783 or email to saratogabroadcasting@gmail.com

Rumor Mill: A movie theater will be built on the old Railroad Ave Price Chopper location

If you want a blog spreading rumors with at least an 80% record of that rumor actually being a fact, then check out the You Idiot blog.  So with that being said, this blogger heard on the street that there will be a movie theater, possibly an IMAX, built at the location of the old Price Chopper on Railroad Avenue next to the new Market Center Building.  I don't have the impressive rumor-to-fact ratio as the You Idiot blog, who incidentally is reporting a rumor of a new cajun restaurant coming to town possibly at the aforementioned Price Chopper site, but my source has his ear to the ground here in the Spa City.  So it's only a rumor, but one that I would think most of us would like to see come true. 

C'mon Fatso just bust a move

Young MC may be a one-hit wonder, but damn "Bust a Move" was a fun song.  I just noticed that he is playing at Vapor Nightclub on June 9th.  Tone-Loc coming anytime soon?