Fun in Saratoga

Olive-oil store slated for Spa City

Olive-oil store slated for Spa City.

Good news for Saratoga Springs in the New York State Budget

There were two aspects of Governor Cuomo's budget that, as originally proposed, had bad news in it for Saratoga Springs.  The first one was of course the continued denial of VLT money for not only Saratoga Springs, but all other municipalities in the state that hosted VLT betting locations, with the exception of Yonkers.  The second blow was a new state surcharge of 2.75% on all betting purses, which is the last thing the New York horse racing industry needs as it competes with New Jersey and Pennsylvania for top-level horses.  Thankfully, the State Senate fought against both of these parts of the budget and, with the state budget being officially passed by both houses of the Legislature in today's very early morning hours, now Saratoga Springs will get at least a portion of the VLT aid it is due and the purse surcharge was also scrapped.  This is great news, and you can read more in the Saratogian here and here.   

Hooray, healthy Saratoga

Hooray, healthy Saratoga.

Finalists named for horse racing Hall of Fame

Finalists named for horse racing Hall of Fame.

NCAA championship game at Vapor Nightclub

I am copying an email below from Vapor Nightclub regarding their showing of Monday night's NCAA men's basketball championship game:

 

 

Upcoming events from Sloppy Kisses

I am copying an email below from Sloppy Kisses Dog Boutique.

Join Us for Fun Doggie Easter Events Saturday, April 16th Sunday, April 17th       Easter Pictures - Easter Bonnet Photo Contest - Easter Egg Hunt Dear Sloppy Kisses Customer,   Please join us the weekend of April 16th & 17th for some doggie EASTER fun.  On Saturday, April 16th, at our Downtown Saratoga Springs location we are having an EASTER photo shoot.  Bring your dog (kids welcome too) and Sheena from Enchanted Reflections Photography will capture your dogs "cuteness".  There will also be a Doggie EASTER Egg Hunt where you can win fun prizes and store discounts.  Then on Sunday, April 17th, at our Clifton Park Center store, enjoy a fun-filled day including our popular EASTER bonnet photo contest and a doggie EASTER egg hunt.      Sloppy Kisses recently celebrated 5 years in our Downtown Saratoga Springs location and 2 years in our "new" location at Clifton Park Center.  We are thankful for your continued support and look forward to many years of providing you all your doggie needs.  Hope to see you and your pup on April 16th - 17th.   Sincerely, Melanie & Eugene Dallas Sloppy Kisses DOWNTOWN SARATOGA SPRINGS STORE Saturday, April 16th   10 am to 3 pm EASTER Egg Hunt    - Throughout the store (and perhaps outside, weather permitting)       there will be EASTER eggs filled with canine goodies.  Some will       have only dog biscuits, others will have dog biscuits and coupons       redeemable for free pooch prizes.  Limit one egg per dog and three       eggs per family. There will also be goodies for humans served throughout the day.  Please keep your dog leashed and under your control when inside the store. 12 pm to 3 pm Doggie Easter Pictures     - Sheena from Enchanted Reflections Photography will be setting up a professional backdrop and bringing some fun EASTER props to take EASTER pictures of your pooch.  Each 5" x 7" photo will be $10 ($15 if you'd like your kids in the picture).  Part of the proceeds will benefit the Dog-Friendly Downtown Program.  The pictures will be ready for pick-up at our store by Thursday, April 20th.  No need to make reservations - photos are first-come, first-served.           CLIFTON PARK CENTER STORE Sunday, April 17th   List of Activities    11 am to 2 pm EASTER Bonnet Photo Contest   - Have a cute EASTER bonnet for your dog?  Enter the EASTER bonnet      photo contest for a chance to win a $50 Sloppy Kisses gift      certificate.  Sloppy Kisses will be taking photos of your dog in their      EASTER bonnet.  The photos will be on display in the Clifton Park      Center mall from April 18th through Easter Sunday where the public      will vote to determine the winner.  Each dog entered in the photo contest        will receive a free doggie EASTER treat.  Entry into      the contest is $5.00.  Proceeds will benefit Dog-Friendly Downtown.   11 am to 2 pm EASTER Egg Hunt    - Throughout the store (and perhaps outside, weather permitting)       there will be EASTER eggs filled with canine goodies.  Some will       have only dog biscuits, others will have dog biscuits and coupons       redeemable for free pooch prizes.  Limit one egg per dog and three       eggs per family.   There will also be goodies for humans served throughout the day.  Please keep your dog leashed and under your control when inside the store.

Saratoga Soup Company, yummmm …

Saratoga Soup Company, yummmm ….

Easter, Mother’s Day at Mallozzi Group properties

Easter, Mother’s Day at Mallozzi Group properties.

Duo's Craigs list ad getting attention over at the Table Hopping blog

I wrote earlier this week about Duo's Craigs List ad looking for dancers for the new South Broadway Restaurant.  The Times Union's Table Hopping blog had a post  which linked my entry about Duo as well as information about an Albany establishment having a "Little black dress party".  Table Hopping Blogger asked if this was a trend. 

Consistent with what I wrote yesterday, I think the trend will be to offer some sort of diversion during your dining experience.  Many of us in our 40s and above often don't want diversion - we simply want to enjoy our food and the company.  Many in their 20s and 30s, however, are constantly multitasking, texting etc. So it seems logical they are looking for something more. This trend is not new, perhaps just increasing.  Many restaurants offer live music during dinner, like One Caroline, and although it is no longer in business we used to have a dinner theater in town, and now Duo will have dancing.  Whether we like it or not restaurants need to evolve with the times - as a comparison the Borders Book Store did not evolve well and look what happened.   Some experiments may work, and some will fail, but it will be interesting to watch in any event. 

Show your support for the arts and Universal Preservation Hall by volunteering for just a few hours

OK you, the one that had the winter blahs for the past few months. Yes you, the one that keeps telling yourself that you should volunteer in the community. It's springtime - time for you to get out of the house and feel revived!  What better way can you do that than to volunteer for the Nacre Dance Company Performance on one of the three days of their performance on April 8-10?  If you can't volunteer, perhaps you would like to attend by purchasing a ticket - which will still help out two community organizations!  Read below for more information:

Show Your Support of the Arts by Volunteering! Dear Mary Beth,   Our resident dance company, Nacre, will be performing their spring repertory concert the weekend of April 8-10.  We are looking for volunteers to assist with any of the three shows being held, Friday & Saturday @ 8PM and Sunday @ 2PM.  We ask that you be available to help an hour before the show with greeting guests, handing out programs and showing them to their seats.  Once the show begins, you are invited to stay and enjoy the beautiful performance as our guest!    It is not necessary to know any historical information about UPH or Nacre - just be there with a smile on!  If you can help out, please reply to this message and Mary Beth will email you more details.  Thanks so much for being able to help out and support the Arts in Saratoga!   Best, Teddy Foster, President Board of Directors

Universal Preservation Hall needs your help!