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Author: Jonathon Norcross

Spin Doctors Deliver the Medicine for Therapeutic Horses

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Entertainment.

The Spin Doctors perform at the Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga 2025 Charity Benefit Concert on Sept. 27. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — One should never fail to appreciate a well-organized event.

At Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga’s charity benefit concert last Saturday night, everything from the food vendors to the venue layout to the sound quality was exceptional, especially considering it was all temporarily plopped onto a horse farm. As the evening wore on, tiki torches dotted across the property emitted a warm glow that both provided practical light and set the mood for what was to come.

Culinary offerings included Taquero tacos, Fierro’s pizza, Druthers beer, and Old Tavern Farm wine and spirits. The entertainment launched with Rich Ortiz, an acoustic singer-songwriter who has previously opened for Chicago, REO Speedwagon, KC and the Sunshine Band, and many other well-known acts. He was followed by the Wallies featuring Gianna Robustiano, who belted out women-written anthems by Alanis Morissette and Miley Cyrus, among others.

The main event was the Spin Doctors, a Gen X alt rock group best known for hits like “Two Princes,” “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong,” and “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues.” The band has an interesting history stretching back to their earliest days playing with John Popper, who would later become known as the frontman for Blues Traveler, the group that headlined Belmont on Broadway in downtown Saratoga in 2024. Both bands emerged from New York City’s late 80s/early 90s jam band scene, which was documented in Mike Ayers’ recent oral history book “Sharing in the Groove.” (Saratoga TODAY interviewed Ayers about his tome and Saratoga’s place in music history for our Aug. 1 issue.)

At the Therapeutic Horses farm, the Doctors delivered a dose of medicine that got many spectators up and grooving (perhaps after they’d enjoyed a few offerings from Druthers and Old Tavern). A highlight of the performance, especially for those invested in the local music scene, came when bass player Jack Daley’s brother Joe (a resident of Troy, New York) came out to play drums on a couple tracks. Joe is a longtime member of Super 400, a band that blends 60s-70s heavy rock with contemporary melodic pop and has played at many Capital Region venues.

In a video message shared prior to the event, Spin Doctors lead singer Chris Barron (who impressed the crowd with his acrobatic kicks) called Therapeutic Horses’ mission to utilize retired racehorses in support of mental wellness “incredible.” It was an apt description of the event as well.

Special Taylor Swift Film to Screen This Weekend at Malta Drive-In

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Entertainment.

Poster image via the Internet Movie Database (IMDb).

MALTA — The Town of Malta may want to brace itself. Swifties will descend upon it this weekend for screenings of “Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl” on Oct. 3, 4, and 5.

The 89-minute film presents a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Swift’s new album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” which is scheduled to be released on Oct. 3. According to Hollywood trade publication Variety, included in the flick will be the premiere of “The Fate of Ophelia,” the first music video from the new album; footage shot behind the scenes at the “Ophelia” video shoot; lyric videos for other songs on the album; and Swift’s never-before-seen personal reflections about those new songs.

For tickets or more information, visit www.maltadrivein.com.

Ted’s Fish Fry Ballston Spa Location Finishing Renovations, Hiring

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.

The forthcoming Ted’s Fish Fry location at 2013 Doubleday Avenue in Ballston Spa. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.

BALLSTON SPA — The old Pizza Hut on Doubleday Avenue in Ballston Spa has slowly but surely been transforming into Ted’s Fish Fry’s newest location. And now, the company is looking for employees as renovations wrap up.

Interested candidates can apply online at www.tedsfishfry.com/employment or stop into any Fish Fry location for an application. According to the company’s website, benefits include: 4% 401K match, an employee meal plan, generous PTO, an employee bonus program, flexible hours, and management opportunities.

An exact opening date for the B-Spa restaurant has not been announced, and previous estimates haven’t come to fruition (in March, it was reported that the location would open in late spring or early summer).

Sorrentino’s Halfmoon Deli Closing Oct. 5

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.

Photo of Sorrentino’s Halfmoon location via the company.

HALFMOON — Sorrentino’s Delicatessen & Market is closing its location in Halfmoon on Oct. 5 after three decades in business. The store’s second location in South Glens Falls will remain open.

“Between myself and my staff, we have made some great friends and loyal customers over the years, for which we are grateful,” said owner Rich Sorrentino in a Facebook announcement. “This was not an easy decision to make, but it’s necessary for health reasons to start slowing down.”

Sorrentino’s is a family owned and operated deli and grocery market with a meat department, fresh produce, prepared meals, and catering. The soon-to-be-shuttered Halfmoon location is at 241 Grooms Road. The still-open second location is at 40 Main Street in South Glens Falls.

Nanola in Malta Closes After 12 Years in Business

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.

MALTA — Nanola—a restaurant, bar, and live music venue located on Route 9 in Malta—closed its doors on Tuesday, Sept. 30 after a dozen years in business.

“From the very beginning, Nanola has been more than just a business, it has been a gathering place filled with laughter, friendships, and countless memories,” the company wrote in a Facebook announcement. “None of it would have been possible without our loyal customers and staff that have become family. We are deeply grateful to every band that rocked our stage, every guest who celebrated life’s milestones with us, and every person who simply stopped in for a meal, a drink, or a good time. You’ve all been part of what made Nanola so special. While this chapter is coming to a close, the memories will live, and we are beyond thankful for the ride we’ve shared with you.”

In its announcement, the restaurant added that its volleyball program would continue and be back “bigger and better than ever.”

Community members and patrons responded to the announcement by expressing appreciation and sharing memories. One married couple said they met at Nanola. One woman thanked the restaurant for allowing her and her husband to celebrate their anniversary there during the pandemic. A GlobalFoundries employee said Nanola was one of his “all-time favorite places to go.”

Local businesses also chimed in with their farewells. The Hideaway Restaurant at the Saratoga Lake Golf Club wrote that “Nanola will always hold a special place in the hearts of everyone here at The Hideaway.” The Ballston Lakeview Tavern added: “All three owners here have worked for and learned a lot from you and your family for years. On to bigger and better things. You will be missed.”

Nanola billed itself as a casual eatery with New Orleans influences, an extensive draft and beer list, and a menu with southern favorites. It hosted many performers over the years, especially live rock bands playing everything from original compositions to time-tested classics. Recent shows included a pre- and post-Phish concert performance by Hilltop; a benefit for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; two nights of Arch3type (featuring members of Big Gigantic and Twiddle); the DJ Williams Band with Ben Atkind (formerly of Goose); and a variety of Grateful Dead cover bands.

In February, Slidin’ Dirty, a popular Capital Region slider restaurant, took over Nanola’s kitchen operations and debuted a new menu.

Ballston Spa’s 3-Time World Series Champion

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.

Photo of Ira Thomas from the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, LC-DIG-ppmsca-13545 (digital file from original print), 
public domain.

BALLSTON SPA — Postseason baseball is nearly upon us.

The New York Yankees clinched a playoff berth with a walkoff win against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night. As of press time, the New York Mets, despite swiping Juan Soto from their crosstown rivals, were still desperately grasping for a wild-card spot.

But whatever happens this October, it’s unlikely that the Capital Region will be as well represented in the World Series as it was more than 100 years ago, when Ballston Spa native Ira Thomas won three rings with the Athletics.

Thomas is probably the most significant baseball figure to emerge from Saratoga County, although Ian Anderson (who won a World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 2021) and Margaret Russo (who was a two-time All Star in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League) are both notable in their own right. 

Thomas may not receive the recognition he deserves in part due to the looming shadow of Abner Doubleday, the Civil War general from Ballston Spa who was famously credited with inventing the game of baseball (for the record, he didn’t).

Thomas was not just lucky enough to be on the right rosters at the right times. He was, especially during the 1908 and 1910 seasons, an exceptional ballplayer. In 1908 with the Detroit Tigers, Thomas had a .307/.346/.317 slash line for an OPS+ of 113 (for reference, an OPS+ of 100 is the league average). In 1910 with the Athletics (then based in Philadelphia), Thomas had a slash line of .278/.301/.361 for an OPS+ of 107. And in the 1910 World Series, he earned 3 hits, 4 walks, 2 runs, and an RBI to help the Athletics win their first-ever title, 4 games to 1.

He was less productive when the Athletics won a second consecutive championship in 1911; in that series, he managed just 1 hit, 1 walk, and 1 RBI. He was again on the Athletics roster when they took the World Series in 1913, though he didn’t play in any title games. In 1908 with the Tigers, he played in two World Series contests, smacking a pair of hits (including a double) and driving in a run. The Tigers, however, fell to the Chicago Cubs, 4 games to 1.

In his ten-year career, in which he played in 484 games, Thomas tallied 327 hits, 46 doubles, 17 triples, 155 RBI, and 20 stolen bases (he was only caught stealing once). In 1911, he placed eighth in MVP votes, not far behind legendary players such as Ty Cobb, Eddie Collins, and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson. He was the Athletics’ starting catcher in both 1910 and 1911, when they won their consecutive titles. Following his playing career, Thomas became a coach and scout for the Athletics until the team departed Philadelphia in 1955.

Long before that, Ira Thomas was born on January 22, 1881, in Ballston Spa, in a home that was reportedly just a mile away from the Abner Doubleday house (now the site of The Real McCoy Beer Co.). According to the Saratoga County history journal “The Gristmill,” Thomas and his older brother Alphonse played for a local team called the Monitors. Alphone was a pitcher and his little bro caught him.

The Thomas family moved to Connecticut sometime prior to 1900, and it was there that Ira launched his baseball career, playing in the Class D Connecticut League, where he soon became the organization’s top catcher.

Ira would return to the State of New York in 1905, when he was purchased by the New York Highlanders, the team now known across the globe as the New York Yankees. Ira played for the Highlanders in 1906 and 1907, though he struggled at the plate, in part due to an injury he suffered in 1905. He would depart the team after New York nabbed catching prospect Walter Blair. He was then picked up by Detroit, with whom he would appear in a World Series before finding success with the Athletics from 1909 to 1915. He would rejoin the Highlanders/Yankees, as part of their scouting staff, in 1956. This would be his last job in baseball before his retirement.

Ira passed away on Oct. 11, 1958 at the age of 77 and was buried at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania near his long-time friend and mentor, the legendary Connie Mack.

Joel Moss, Grammy Winner and Caffe Lena Fixture, Dies at 79

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Entertainment, Featured.

To honor the memory of Joel Moss, Caffe Lena will host “Where the Music Never Dies: A Celebration of Joel Moss” on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Image via Caffe Lena.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Joel Moss, a six-time Grammy Award winner who served as Caffe Lena’s broadcast and sound technician, passed away last week at the age of 79.

“It never failed to amaze us that a man who produced records for Johnny Cash, Tony Bennett, The Talking Heads, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and hundreds of others, believed so much in the community of Saratoga Springs and the value of Caffe Lena, that he spent his evenings running our livestream cameras and recording our shows,” the famed folk venue said in a statement. “He was passionately committed to recording every show that happened at Caffe Lena because he felt that Lena’s stage is a national treasure and what happens on it is important. You never know when you’ll capture lightning in a bottle. When he saw that special spark in an artist, he told everyone–whether the artist was 10 years old, was playing their first show, or was an under-appreciated treasure who had put in decades on the road. Joel’s presence and faith elevated the Caffe in the eyes of many, and we are forever richer because of our time with him. We send condolences to his family (he loved you so much and talked about you all the time), innumerable friends, and all the local musicians who had the opportunity to work with him in the studio.”

Moss had a long and illustrious career in the music world, recording albums for artists such as Ray Charles, The Beach Boys, Little Richard, and Joe Cocker. For his efforts, he was awarded multiple Grammys, an Academy Award, and two Emmy nominations. His life and career began in Detroit, where he led a Hebrew folk quintet called The Hi-Liters that played at Lena in 1963. In the Saratoga area, he recorded and produced several albums for charity, including “A Saratoga Christmas Wish,” which raised $70,000 for Make-A-Wish Northeast New York.

To honor Moss’ remarkable legacy, Lena will host “Where the Music Never Dies: A Celebration of Joel Moss” on Tuesday, Oct. 14. The public is invited to gather at Trask Memorial Staircase at the south end of Congress Park at 4:30 p.m. A parade led by New Orleans musician Glen David Andrews will take off at 5 p.m. and attendees will clap, dance, and sing their way to Caffe Lena. 

Music and speakers will start at the Caffe, both indoors and out, at 5:30 and end at 9. There will be an outdoor video screen to share what’s happening inside, and the whole event will be livestreamed on YouTube and Caffe Lena TV.

Oktoberfest Draws Big B-Spa Crowd, New Distillery Unveiled

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.

The City of Albany Pipe Band performs on Washington Street outside Speckled Pig Brewing Co. and The Still at Speckled Pig. 
Photo by Jonathon Norcross.

BALLSTON SPA — Hundreds of revelers packed Washington Street outside Speckled Pig last Saturday for an Oktoberfest block party, which provided the first glimpse of the brewing company’s new next door distillery.

The Still at Speckled Pig, housed in the former home of Jim’s Garage, featured a modern, dark, green-and-black interior with a long white bar and plenty of seating. Two garage doors opened to an outdoor patio with Adirondack-style chairs and fire pits. Cocktails and seasonal beers were served, though a full food menu was not yet available. The party began at noon, with attendees quickly filling up nearly every inch of the distillery space. 

Oktoberfest featured free commemorative mugs for the first 150 attendees, a dunk tank, a bouncy house for kids, live music from the City of Albany Pipe Band, Bavarian pretzels, bratwurst, and pizza.

New Cannabis Dispensary Opening in Schuylerville

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.

SCHUYLERVILLE — The owners of Brownies Dispensary in Colonie are opening a second location at 1164 NY-29 in Schuylerville, the company announced last Friday. The store has scheduled a grand opening celebration with free food and live music for Sept. 26.

“We are proud to announce Brownies Dispensary Saratoga,” the company wrote in a Facebook post. “We’re thrilled to expand our footprint and make our premium selections even more accessible. Our mission has always been to promote a healthy, fun lifestyle through safe, effective, and delicious products. With this second location, we’re doubling down on our dedication to quality, community, and responsible consumption right here in the heart of the Capital Region.”

Brownies describes itself as a “family, woman, veteran, and Black-owned business.” Its Colonie location first opened in February of 2024. According to state officials, it was the first Upstate cannabis shop to be majority-owned by a Black woman.

“In a world filled with gloom, we want to be that daily experience that leaves you with a smile on your face walking in and out the door,” the company says on its website.

Brownies’ Schuylerville shop will be open seven days a week and offer pickup and delivery service. Products for sale are expected to be the same as those offered in Colonie.

Fillies on Phila Announces New Menus and Hours

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

Photo via Angela LaBombard, Fillies on Phila’s Front of House manager.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Fillies on Phila, a wood-fired pizza restaurant that opened earlier this year, has announced some changes to its menus and hours.

According to the eatery’s Front of House Manager Angela LaBombard, starting Sept. 30, Fillies will be offering brunch Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.; there will be a new tailgating menu in effect during brunch; lunch will no longer be served on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the new opening time for those days will be 4 p.m.

The new tailgate menu will include calamari, deviled eggs, chili cheese nachos, wings, steamers, Philly cheesesteak bao buns, and more. The brunch menu will feature ricotta pancakes, brioche French toast, brunch smash burger, prime rib hash, breakfast enchiladas, and oven-baked frittata.

Fillies on Phila is one of a handful of new restaurants that either have opened or will open on Phila Street this year. Other additions include Standard Fare, Familiar Creature, and the forthcoming Noah’s Italian Chophouse. Filles is located at 39 Phila Street.