Fun in Saratoga

Funsaratoga to be off the "air" for a few weeks

Hey folks:

I appreciate the loyal readership on here, especially those of you that send me encouraging comments.  I have some very important things going on in my life right now (all good) and I will focus on them for the next few weeks and will not be blogging during that time.  Look for me to blog again sometime before Thanksgiving.  Take care. 

 

Joe Carr wine dinner at Sperry’s

Joe Carr wine dinner at Sperry’s.

New menus at Jacob & Anthony’s in Saratoga Springs

New menus at Jacob & Anthony’s in Saratoga Springs.

Thanksgiving from Glen Sanders; Prime-Saratoga also open

Thanksgiving from Glen Sanders; Prime-Saratoga also open.

Co-founder from the band Orleans to play at Isabel's Bistro at The Cupcake Lab on November 19th

I so wanted to make a corny "Still the One" pun in that title, but the Maxwell House hasn't quite kicked in yet so....Anyway, Larry Hoppen, who was an original vocalist and guitarist in the band Orleans, will be appearing at Isabel's Bistro at The Cupcake Lab on November 19th at 8pm.  Hoppen says he will be bringing a "surprise special guest" with him.  Local artists The Tequila Mockingbirds, who I enjoy watching perform, will be opening for him, and there will be a musicians' clinic and Q & A after the show. This should be a great night.

You may recall Orleans' big hits such as "Dance With Me", "Still the One" and "Love Takes Time".  To me, Orleans is the quintessential 70s light rock band, and the songs bring me back to that era when I was just a lad in elementary school (dreaming about hitting it big-time as a blogger).  As you may recall, and the video below reaffirms, these guys could sure harmonize. The second below video (the more recent one) is Larry Hoppen on the right and Joe Bouchard, the original bassist of Blue Oyster Cult, on the left.  Could Bouchard, who lives in Connecticut, be that "special surprise guest"?  I'm burnin' for you to find out. (Well there's my pun - I can hear the groans through the fiber optics now).

A couple of side notes:  Orleans was formed in Woodstock, NY, just over an hour away down in Ulster County, and Hoppen is not the only original Orleans member being written about on the blogs in New York State.  Original band guitarist and songwriter John Hall is presently the U.S. Congressman for New York's nineteenth district, which is in the lower Hudson Valley in the Orange/Rockland/Dutchess County area.  He is apparently in a heated reelection campaign, and the polls have him and his opponent in a very tight race.

Going back to the Saratoga music scene, I wrote about some other nostalgic acts playing at Siro's over the summer, and the Max Weinberg concert at Universal Preservation Hall this past Friday had a nice crowd and was a great show.  Then last night my fiance and I went to One Caroline for a drink and saw a very talented local band called "Masters of Nostalgia".  The bar was crowded and lively, but not too packed to preclude us from getting out there on a makeshift dance floor big enough for two or three couples.  A great band in an adult lively bar - the average age was about 50 - and this was on a Wednesday night folks.  How cool is that?  So whether it's the big acts at SPAC in the summer, or some of the smaller local and national acts that play here even in the dead of winter, the variety of culture and entertainment here helps make Saratoga Springs a wonderful place to be and everday I realize we are fortunate to live here.  See you at Isabel's Bistro on November 19th. 

Tiznow, Sperry's, and the Wishing Well will be open for Thanksgiving dinner

I wrote earlier this week about Maestro's Thanksgiving offerings, and I see on Tiznow's web site that they will be open for Thanksgiving dinner from 2-6pm.  At this point they don't have a menu up, but perhaps they will post one soon on the site or Facebook page.  The Times Union's Table Hopping blog has info on Sperry's Turkey Day offerings as well as that of The Wishing Well.  From this point forward I would suggest going to the top of the Table Hopping page and reading through the posts to get a comprehensive listing of Thanksgiving day options in the Capital Region, or you can read the Food section of the T-U's November 11th edition to get a complete list. 

 

Saratoga YMCA news

I am copying below the latest newsletter from the Saratoga Springs YMCA:

YMCA of Saratoga . October 2010  Fall Zumbathon! Saratoga Springs Branch  Friday, October 22, 2010 The YMCA of Saratoga is holding a Zumbathon on Friday, October 22nd from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs Branch.  This event is open to all its members and everyone in the community.  The instructors will be Maria Forbes, Stacey Doltz, Audrey Mangini, Yonka Perkins, Deb Rafferty and Angel Whitbeck.    The event will benefit the Y's 2010 We Build People Annual Scholarship Campaign.  The cost is $20.00/person. You do not need to sign-up in advance.    Also, we will be holding a sneak preview of another hot new workout called DrumsAlive at 5:30 p.m.   Contact Yonka Perkins at 583-9622, ext. 118 or [email protected] for more information.  Fall Harvest Celebration  Saratoga Springs and Wilton Branches  October 29, 2010 Wilton and Saratoga Springs Branches' will be holding a Fall Harvest Festival on Friday, October 29th.  Celebrate at the Wilton Branch from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. and join us at the Saratoga Springs Branch from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.    We will have face painting, the bounce house, fall arts and crafts best, a decorated pumpkin contest, games and spooky treats.  Costumes are optional.  Swimming at Saratoga Branch will be available on a first-come-first- serve basis.  Everyone is welcome and this event is open to the community.   We hope you will join us for this fun night! Drop Off Your Drawers The Think Peace Workshop for Girls and To Love a Child are working towards collecting 5,000 panties! Every day women and girls in Haiti and Zimbabwe struggle for food, shelter, education and the bare essentials that make life comfortable.  They live with little to call their own due to extreme poverty caused by environmental, social and political consequences.   You can make a profound difference in the lives of women and girls today by donating new panties.  Your gift will boost their self-esteem and help give them confidence.   Colorful panties for women and girls of all sizes are needed.  Drop off your drawers at the YMCA of Saratoga's Saratoga Springs Branch!   For more information, please call 518-859-4424. Are Your Valuables Locked Up? We strongly urge members to lock up their valuables. Lockers may be secured by members, using their own lock, while they are in the building. Locks must be removed when leaving the building each day. The YMCA is not responsible for valuables left unattended.   Mini lockers are available at some branch locations, at no cost. For a token, please see the front desk.   If you leave valuables in your vehicle, please make sure these items are out of sight. Get Ready for Fall: JCPenney Round-Up   Shop between October 13th and the 26th at the JCPenney - Wilton Mall and you may "round-up" your purchase to the next whole dollar-then the JCPenney Afterschool Fund will donate the difference to the YMCA of Saratoga to provide children in this community with access to life-enriching afterschool programs.    What is the JCPenney Afterschool Round-Up? This nationwide program provides our customers the opportunity to make donations to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund at the cash register by rounding up their JCPenney store purchases to the next whole dollar.  All donations collected by the Wilton Mall JCPenney store will be donated to the YMCA of Saratoga's afterschool programs! Another 2010 Round-Up will be held: December 1st-14th.   Your change makes a difference in kids' lives!   Did you know that the YMCA of Saratoga has a wonderful preschool site at Wesley?  The Y has an intergenerational preschool program where the children interact with the residents.  It's great for the residents and the children enjoy having new friends!  There are openings for the 2010-11 school year.  Contact Colleen Girvin at 583-9622, ext. 114 for more information. Get Your Flu Shots at the Y!   The Price Chopper Pharmacy will be hosting a flu clinic at the Wilton Branch.  You must sign-up at the branch front desks prior to the clinic.  The cost is $25.00 per immunization.    Date/Time: Wilton Branch on Oct. 28th at 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Make a Difference Day YMCA of SARATOGA - Child Care, Preschool & School Age Programs   October 1-24, 2010  This month the staff will be talking with students about sharing and caring.  To emphasize this lesson, and in conjunction with "Make a Difference Day", we will be collecting non-perishable food and toiletries for local food pantries.  The collection will start October 1st and run through the 24th. Items may be dropped off in your child's classroom.   Your support is greatly needed and appreciated.  Thank you for your help! Fall Rowing Challenge Results of First Leg of the Challenge Our Y team, consisting of 29 members, has rowed over 2,500,000 meters during this challenge. Ten of the rowers individually passed 100,000 meters, and five of those rowers passed 200,000 meters. Having ten members reach the 100,000 meter mark makes our team eligible for a drawing to win a new concept2 rower for the Y.    We are the first place Y team and finished in the top 11% out of 277 world wide concept2 teams.   The team has rowed to Amarillo, Texas, located along Historic Route 66. A Texas themed wrap-up party will be held October 26th at 6:00 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs Branch.   All rowers are invited to wear their cowboy hats and join us! Anyone interested in finding out more about the rowing team is also invited to stop in.   The team starts rowing again on Januray 1, 2011.  The Spring Challenge begins on April 15, 2011. You may join in at any time and you do not have to participate in all the Challenges.  All fitness levels are welcome!   If you have any questions contact the team captain Jennifer Warner at [email protected] or 518-441-9274. Give the Gift of Health Buy a YMCA Gift Certificate for the holidays! What is more important than your health? This is the gift that truly keeps giving!  Say "Happy Holidays" or "I Love You" with a YMCA Gift Certificate.    You may give a massage, a personal training session, a membership, swimming lessons, karate or whatever you choose!    Please see any of our branch front desks for more information. Date to Remember November 1st: Fall II programs begin. Adult Stroke Improvement with Ann Svenson  This class is for any adult who wants to improve their swim technique and aspiring triathletes.  It begins on Sunday, November 7th and runs 7 weeks. Contact Ann Svenson at [email protected] with any questions.   Days/Times: Sundays at 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Price: $80 for Members/$160 for Program Members Malta Branch News   By Popular Demand - We've Added Another Zumba Class at 4:30 p.m.! We are offering a Monday 4:30 p.m. Zumba class.  Our 5:30 p.m. class will continue to be held, giving our members 2 choices for Zumba classes on Mondays!    Zumba is a fusion of Latin rhythms and international music with easy-to-follow moves to create a dynamic, fun, and effective cardio workout. The class features an interval training format incorporating fast and slow rhythms and resistance training to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. You will have a GREAT time and sweat!      Cycle and Strength A Cycle & Strength class has been added on Fridays at 9:15 a.m.    Pilates Pilates has been added to the schedule for Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.     SilverSneakers ® I - Muscular Strength & Range of Movement Have fun and move to the music through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength, range of movement and activity for daily living skills.  Hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles and a ball are offered for resistance; a chair is used for seated and/or standing support.  This class is held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.  Wilton Branch News   Fall Babysitting Hours Monday & Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 9:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 to 12:00 p.m. Monday-Friday: 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. (by reservation only- must be made by 1:00 p.m. that day)   Gymnastics Class Cancellations  Gymnastics classes will be cancelled on December 14th, January 4th, January 8th, January 11th, and February 4th due to Saratoga High School Gymnastics meets.   Parents Night Out Parents Night Out is an opportunity for parents to have a night out! While you enjoy a night out, bring your kids to the Y for games, crafts and a snack. This program is available for ages 8 weeks to 6 year olds.   The dates include November 19th and December 17th 5:00-7:30 p.m. You can register your child for this program beginning October 19th. The cost is $15 per child.    Black Friday Shoppers The Y will be providing child care at the Wilton Branch Babysitting Room on Friday, November 26th from 5:30-8:30 a.m. for Black Friday Shoppers. This cost is $15 per child. You will have the security of knowing your child is being cared for in a safe and familiar environment, while your holiday shopping is completed. Reservations can be made beginning October 19th by registering at the front desk. Saratoga Springs Branch News   YMCA Family Night Come join us for a fun-filled, FREE Friday night. This program will include family gym time with games, pool and track time, as well as arts and crafts. For more information, please contact Mel LaBelle at 583-9622, ext. 120 or at [email protected]. This progam will not be held on Oct. 22nd due to the Zumbathon.  On Oct. 29th, it will be held in conjunction with the Fall Harvest Festival at the Wilton and Saratoga Springs Branch! Days/Times: Began on October 1, 2010 Fridays from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Fees: FREE   Healthy Kids Night Kids ages 10-17 may join us every Saturday for an evening out at the YMCA of Saratoga. Kids will participate in age-appropriate activities which will utilize the gym, fitness center, pool, track and cyber cafe. Children of all ages must be signed in and out by an adult (over 18 years of age) and there is a no re-entry policy. For more information, please contact Mel LaBelle at 583-9622, ext. 120 or at [email protected]. Session: Begins November 6, 2010 Days/Times: Saturday from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., beginning Nov. 6th Fees: $5.00 member/$8.00 non-member   NEW! Offering Drums Alive® Class Come and try Drums Alive, our newest Group Exercise class!  It is a completely new and innovatiove way to experience movement and rhythm.  It is a holistic workout that connects simple and dynamic movements and pulsating rhythms with drumming on a stability ball.  Not only is DrumsAlive a fun program, it has many physical and psychological benefits as well.  This class utilizes drumsticks, stability balls and risers and combines powerful, motivating music with the rhythm of drums that will get your feet stomping and your body moving.   This class will take place on Fridays from 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. in the Aerobics Studio at the Saratoga Springs Branch.   SCUBA Participants will spend half of each class in the pool and the other half in the classroom. This class is for ages 14 and up and registration is open for Y members as well as non-members. The instructors are Dick and Carol Lantz, certified instructors with SCUBA Educators International. Sessions: 6 weeks - Begins November 1, 2010 Days/Times: Monday and Wednesdays - 7:30 -10:30 p.m. Fees: $163 - membership is not required. The purchase and rental of equipment is required and these additional fees are not included. Please contact Dick and Carol Lantz for specifics at 584-7154 or [email protected]. Babysitting Certification Course We are now offering more dates for the YMCA of Saratoga Babysitting Certification Course. We will offer this program, for 11 to 15 year olds, from 9:00 to 3:00 p.m. on October 23rd, November 20th and December 18th.  This is a Red Cross certified course and participants are encouraged to volunteer for 6 hours at our Saratoga Springs and/or Wilton Branch Babysitting Rooms, upon completion of this course. For more information, please contact Erin Wilkinson at 583-9622, ext.124.   Sunday Shoppers Sunday Shoppers is a program where children come to the YMCA from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. while their parents run errands, do their weekly grocery shopping or stroll the shops downtown.  We will have planned activities for the children (between the ages of 8 weeks and 9 years old).  We will play outside, do a craft, watch a movie and provide a snack.  The cost is $15 per child and you may register at the front desk. Space is limited so register early.  We will offer this program on November 21st. Contact Erin Wilkinson at 583-9622, ext. 124 for more information.   Parents' Night Out Parents' Night Out is an opportunity for parents to have a night out! Bring back date night, ladies or guys night out, or movie night. Every Parents' Night Out will have a theme and children will enjoy theme-based games, crafts or movies. This program is for children ages 8 weeks to 6 years old.  New this year is Parents Out II for 7 to 10 year olds with age-appropriate activites, including swimming, will be offered.    The dates include November 6th and December 4th from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.  The cost is $15 per child and you may register at the front desk. Space is limited so register early.  Contact Erin Wilkinson at 583-9622, ext. 124 for more information.   Little Elves Workshop Bring your little elves on December 12th from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. to the Y to make two gifts to take home. We will provide play time and a snack while you catch up on your last minute holiday shopping. The cost is $20 per child. You can register for this program beginning October 19th. Malta Child Care Malta Child Care currently has openings in the Preschool 4 year old program.  This is a full day program running from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The cost of preschool is $200 weekly.  If your child lives in the Ballston Spa School District they are eligible for the UPK program which is a discounted preschool program.    Let our certified, experienced staff nurture your children and prepare them for success in Kindergarten.  Children learn to recognize and write letters, numbers and their name.  They are engaged in age-appropriate activities including swimming and gym classes.    For more information or to schedule a tour contact Amy Wert, Malta Branch Director, at 583-4342, ext. 181 or [email protected].

UPDATE Quick Links   2010 Fall I-II Program Guide   Program Schedules     Calendar     October 22, 2010 Fall Zumbathon Saratoga Springs Branch   October 26, 2010 Fall II Program Member Registration All YMCA Branches    November 1, 2010 Fall II Programs Begin All YMCA Branches  This May  Interest You:   Tribal Bellydance 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays Saratoga Springs Branch      YMCA of Saratoga  Inclement Weather Policy   When there is inclement weather, the decision to close our facilities and/or cancel programs will be decided by the COO.  This decision is based on the state and local recommendations that we are in a declared state of emergency.  The following media will inform you of the closing and/or cancellations if you cannot get through to the YMCA: Capital News 9, The Times Union, WFLY 92, 810 WGY, WNYT TV, WRGB TV, WRVE, WTEN TV, B 95.5 and WXXA TV.      Holiday Hours for All Branches   New Year's Day   6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.   Easter - Closed   Memorial Day   6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.   4th of July   6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.   Labor Day   6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.   Thanksgiving Day - Closed   Christmas Eve 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.   Christmas Day - Closed   New Year's Eve 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.   NOTE:  There are no programs or group fitness classes on these days. Be sure to check with the branch to verify their holiday hours.     Share Your Thoughts Tell us what you love about the YMCA!  We would really like to hear from you.     We may use your comments for marketing purposes, so if you prefer that we don't use your name, please let us know.   Please e-mail your comments to Janet Sprague, Marketing/ Development Director.     Activate America   Serve this scrumptious dish as a first course or as dinner's main event on a chilly evening. The curry gives it a subtly exotic flavor, while the apple and honey add a touch of sweetness.   Curry Pumpkin Soup 2 tablespoons butter 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup chopped celery 1/2 large apple, peeled, cored, and chopped 2 teaspoons mild curry powder 3 cups chicken broth 1 1/2 cups solidly packed pumpkin mash or canned pumpkin 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste 1 whole bay leaf 1/3 cup heavy cream 2 to 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup Sour cream and chives, for garnish (optional)   Instructions: Melt the butter in a medium-size soup pot. Stir in the onion, celery, and apple. Partially cover the pot and sauté the ingredients over medium-high heat until the onion is clear, about 8 minutes. Stir in the curry powder and sauté the mixture for another minute. Stir in 1 cup of chicken broth and cook for 1 minute more. Pour the contents of the pan into a blender or food processor, add the pumpkin, and puree the soup until it's smooth. Pour it all back into the pot, then stir in the remaining chicken broth, the salt, and the bay leaf. Set the soup over medium-high heat and bring it to a simmer, stirring occasionally. After 5 minutes, stir in the heavy cream and 2 tablespoons of honey. Taste the soup, adding more salt or honey if necessary to get the desired balance of sweet and savory. Simmer for 2 minutes more, remove the soup from the heat, and serve it hot. For a pretty -- and tasty -- touch, garnish each bowl with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of chopped chives. Makes 6 servings.

YMCA of Saratoga . 290 West Avenue . PO Box 4610 . Saratoga Springs, NY 12866  P: 518 583 9622 . F: 518 581 7598 . W: www.ymcasaratoga.org

Update on Route 50 Gateway project

I monitor several Saratoga Springs blogs, one of them being the one run by the group in charge of the Southern Gateway Study for the Route 50 corridor.  The web site describes the effort as follows: "The Route 50 Southern Gateway Study is a collaborative effort between CDTC, New York State Department of Transportation Region 1 (NYSDOT), the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and the City of Saratoga Springs aimed at improving bicycle and pedestrian circulation within the Route 50 corridor." 

This corridor goes from the White Farms Road and Ballston Ave (RT 50) intersection to the intersection of New Street/Congress Avenue, Ballston Avenue and W. Fenlon Street (near Price Chopper Plaza).  A simple if inexact way to describe the stretch would be roughly the section of Route 50 bordering the Saratoga Spa State Park.

View Larger Map

It's an important gateway to the city and I am glad the group is addressing needed improvements.  They recently updated their web site, with a link to their summer newsletter updating the project.  The newsletter is missing page three, which I alerted them to, so hopefully by the time you read this they will have corrected that. 

Saratoga Springs DBA dropping the ball?

Check out my posting on the Times Union's Saratoga Springs' residents blog, where I point out that the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association is failing to update its web site and new media accounts. 

Maestro's announces Thanksgiving menu as well as details for $5 dinner entree specials

I am copying an email below that I received from Maestro's Restaurant announcing their Thanksgiving Day offerings as well as the details about the return of their popular $5 entree special, which will also be available all day on Sunday October 31.

Maestro's American Bistro 371 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY www.saratogamaestros.com 518.580.0312

Greetings! Let us do the cooking this Thanksgiving! We are offering three different packages to make your holiday easy. All three packages may be pick-up on the day before Thanksgiving or the morning of Thanksgiving. Either way you will enjoy the great food of Maestros in the comfort of your own home with little work and lots of leftovers! It does not get any better! Thanksgiving for Two.....with leftovers! Cooking for two is just as much work as cooking for 10! We are offering this package for the couple who would like to enjoy Thanksgiving at home with none of the work but enjoy a great dinner with plenty of leftovers!   Roasted Butternut Squash Bisque Fall Greens Our freshly made bread Fresh cranberry sauce Classic Roast Tom Turkey (specify all white, all dark, or combination), with gravy Apple sage stuffing with our without sausage Caramelized Brussels sprouts Brown sugar maple carrots Candied Sweet Potatoes Mashed Potatoes French Green Beans & pearl onion Apple Crumb Pie Pumpkin Pie Our Famous Dark Chocolate Bark   Package Price: $ 75.00   Whole Turkey Packages This package comes in two sizes. Package #1 Feeds 8-10 people Package #2 Feeds 12-16 people   Both Packages Include:   Whole Stuffed Roast Tom Turkey w/Gravy (If picked up on Wednesday it will be raw and ready for you to cook) Roasted Butternut Squash Bisque Fall Green Salad Our freshly made bread Fresh cranberry sauce Apple sage stuffing with our without sausage Caramelized Brussels sprouts Brown sugar maple carrots Candied Sweet Potatoes Mashed Potatoes French Green Beans & pearl onion Apple Crumb Pie Pumpkin Pie Our Famous Dark Chocolate Bark Package #1 Price: $195 Package #2 Price: $295 Wishing you and your entire family a wonderful holiday season! Sincerely, John LaPosta Maestro's "A Fine American Bistro" 518.580.0312     All orders must be placed by November 18th   Limited number of packages available, Order Now!!!

Don't Forget $5 Five O'clock Entrees!   All Day Sunday October 31st! Everyday in November @ 5pm!!!!!     Reserve Now!!!! Everyday will sell out!