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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Rivers Casino & Resort Postpones Events to 2021

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SCHENECTADY — Following New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive orders, and in partnership with the New York State Gaming Commission, Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, including The Landing Hotel, remains temporarily closed until further notice. Previously scheduled entertainment and events during the temporary closure have been postponed until 2021. 

Below is the updated list of events and entertainment with original date, event, and new date: 

3/25: Still Surfin’ Dinner Show – New date, Wednesday, June 23, 2021

4/25: Johnny Rivers – New date Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.

5/27: Magic of Motown Dinner Show – New date Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021.

6/10: Australia’s Thunder From Down Under – New date, Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

6/19 & 6/20: Aaron Lewis – New dates Thursday, April 1 and Friday, April 2, 2021.

Tickets for the new dates are available at riverscasinoandresort.com, tickets.proctors.org or the Proctors Theater Box Office in Schenectady. Guests can also use their current ticket for the new date or request a full refund. Refunds may take up to 4- 6 weeks to process. Guests may contact the Proctors Box Office for a full refund by calling 1-518-346-6204 between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Veterans Business Council Offers Assistance for Displaced or Unemployed Veterans

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga County Foundation’s Veterans Business Council is offering free consulting assistance for any Veterans who are displaced or unemployed in the Saratoga County area. Services offered by its volunteer members include job search guidance, resume reviews, and connections with career and entrepreneurial training opportunities. 

“This is a challenging economic time for all, including our area Veterans, and the Veterans Business Council is here to help. Whether it be through a review of their resume or assisting them with connections to agencies that can help, our volunteer council members stand ready to aid our fellow Veterans,” says Veterans Business Council Chair Jason Collins. 

Veterans interested should reach out to Denise Romeo at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce at 518-584-3255 or dromeo@saratoga.org. More information is also available at www.SaratogaVeterans.org.

The Veterans Business Council operates under the Saratoga County Foundation of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, and is made up of a select group of Veterans who are business leaders in the region. The Veterans Business Council works to facilitate opportunities for military veterans residing in Saratoga County, including offering scholarship opportunities and connecting them with the business community to enhance their knowledge of employment opportunities, job or entrepreneurial training, and new business development. 

More information on the Veterans Business Council is available online at www.saratogaveterans.org. 

New York State Ends Use of Tobacco Coupons

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

GLENS FALLS — Discounts on the sale of all tobacco products, such as coupons and multi-pack price promotions, will be prohibited in New York State as of July 1. The law was passed as part of the state’s fiscal year 2021 budget.

Adirondack Health Institute’s Clear the Air in the Southern Adirondacks (CASA) program is encouraged by this latest development saying the new legislation is another significant step forward in combatting the marketing tactics employed by the tobacco industry to entice youth.

Research shows that higher tobacco prices are linked to lower smoking rates and this new law limits the tobacco industry’s ability to circumvent New York State’s high taxes on tobacco products, which are proven to reduce smoking prevalence, especially among youth. It is a significant victory in combating Big Tobacco’s long history of discounts and other pricing schemes that target youth, minority communities, low-income communities and people trying to quit. The average age that teens first start smoking in New York State is 13-years-old, and 90-percent of adult smokers say they first tried smoking by age 18.

A number of tobacco control measures passed as part of the state’s fiscal year 2021 budget, including a new law that stops the shipping and/or delivery of e-cigarettes and vape products to private residences beginning July 1, providing another important protection for youth. Several of the new laws took effect on May 18, including the end of all tobacco product sales in pharmacies and the end of flavored e-cigarette sales statewide. Nearly 40-percent of high school seniors in New York State use e-cigarettes, also referred to as “vaping,” and 27-percent of all high school youth vape.

Tobacco companies continue to aggressively market their products in stores across the state, using colorful walls of tobacco products and marketing materials that are highly appealing to teens. There is overwhelming evidence that the more young people see tobacco, the more likely they are to start smoking.6 More cigarettes are sold in convenience stores than in any other type of store, and 70% of adolescents shop in convenience stores at least once per week — where they are more likely to be exposed to pro-smoking messages.

For help quitting smoking or vaping, individuals can contact a health care provider, and call the New York State Smokers’ Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS or visit www.nysmokefree.com.

Property Transactions: July 4 – July 10, 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

BALLSTON SPA

57 Sycamore St., $372,385.
Heritage Builders Group LLC sold property to Charlotte Dugan. 

76 Connolly Rd., $320,000.
Kevin Connor sold property to Mark and Monica Maher.

72 Cypress St., $349,980.
Heritage Builders Group LLC sold property to Jerome and Susan Kamiler (as Trustees). 

CLIFTON PARK

49 Carriage Rd., $193,000.
Matthew Leuzzi sold property to Ryan and Theresa St. John.

22 Fox Hollow Circle, $333,900.
Barry and Meryl Eibinder sold property to David Robertson.

600A Waite Rd., $208,000.
Tanya Teagle sold property to Katrina McCarthy. 

8 Carrington Court, $460,000.
Barbara McCann (as Ind and as Agent) and David McCann (by Agent). 

1 Longleaf Meadows, $389,000.
Jay and Susan Janowsky sold property to Siann McCollum.

10/12 Thoroughbred Way, $62,000.
Clifton Park Water Authority sold property to town of Clifton Park.

9 Eagles Glen, $324,000.
Robert and Georgianne Martz sold property to Tariq Farooqi and Giyana Amaratunga.

20 Heritage Pointe Dr., $500,357.
Heritage Builders Group LLC sold property to Ashim Dutta and Nandini Ghosh.

GREENFIELD

126 Howe Rd., $254,900.
Jennifer Rose sold property to Justine Germain.

100 Nat Hill Rd., $865,000.
Glenn and Valerie Kelsey sold property to Francine and Raymond Apy, Jr. 

475 Middle Grove Rd., $198,000.
Francis Conway sold property to Stephanie Shippey.

HALFMOON

59 Canal Rd., $450,000.
George Emerson sold property to Richard and Catherine Castle.

96A Clamsteam Rd., $239,900.
Merle Fredericks II sold property to Frank Scheuer.

281 Grooms Rd., $537,500.
Denis Klapija sold property to Jason Greene.

7 Gauthier Dr., $190,000.
Chad Lacasse sold property to Jordan and Sarah Blais.

19 Linden Park Dr., $385,000.
Michaels Group Homes LLC sold property to Lucinda Fabozzi.

MALTA

13 Lindenwood Dr., $360,000.
Carhack LLC sold property to Laurie Tomita.

32 Plum Poppy S., $469,305.
Marini Land II Inc. sold property to Sophia Reynolds.

MILTON

51 Huntington Way, $369,000.
Brookview Court Inc./Pigliavento Builders DBA sold property to Arpy Ernest. 

MOREAU

63 William St., $188,000.
Daniel and Renee Lombard sold property to Jeffrey Schermerhorn and Nicole Hall. 

304 Reynolds Rd., $185,000.
Robert and Melissa Joubert sold property to Brittany and Christy Murray.

53 Woodscape Dr., $300,000.
Vicky Barrett sold property to Richard and Diane Edwards. 

107 Old Bend Rd., $308,150.
Cerrone Construction sold property to Robert and Sandra Rizzuto.

26 Fairview St., $32,000.
Harry and Betty Goldstein sold property to Paul and Kimberly Patterson.

5 Edver Rd., $232,050.
Julie White sold property to Daniel Casabonne and Maria Steele.

18 Jackson Ave., $235,000.
Michael and Jennifer Wolfe sold property to Douglas and Beverly Emery.

NORTHUMBERLAND

4746 Route 50, $205,000.
James and Lorri Zarro sold property to Colin and Heather Hannon.

1902 Route 32N, $162,000.
Christine Dishon sold property to Julie Decker.

SARATOGA SPRINGS

59 Piping Rock Center, $385,900.
Lisa Andersson sold property to William Angione, Jamie Kennedy and Greg O’Leary.

343 Grand Ave., $429,000.
Joanne Sole sold property to Christopher and Tracey Chamberlin.

68 Quevic Dr., $258,500.
Chad Kitchen sold property to Steven Gordon.

Saddle Brook Dr., $10,000.
Mary Flaherty sold property to Kona Estates LLC. 

9 Saddle Brook Dr., $1,440,000.
Mary Flaherty sold property to Kona Estates LLC. 

70 Fifth Ave., $900,000.
Clark and Deborah Brewster sold property to Eugene Hanley. 

7 Tompion Lane, $285,000.
Sean Hardies sold property to Nicholas Kirkpatrick.

77 Van Dam St., Unit 204, $344,100.
Seventy Seven Van Dam LLC sold property to John Koella and Susan Sharp.

9 Wilshire Blvd., $340,000.
Eliot Freeman sold property to Jay and Rachel Sturm.

54 Kirby Rd., $360,000.
Stephen Perry and Megan Havalah Perry sold property to Kevin and Theresa Billinton.

STILLWATER

12 Blizzard Rd., $200,000.
Cynthia LaForest sold property to Mark LaForest.

618 Route 9P, $189,000.
Six Hundred Eighty Four Springs Inc. sold property to Sean Compton.

WILTON

3 O’Donnell Way, $397,000.
Robert and Marilyn Pacheo sold property to Michael and Connie Witzing.

16 Harvest Lane, $592,500.
Darrin and Lori Desmarais sold property to Jordan and Michelle Mazur.

43 Hearthstone Dr., $495,000.
Michael and Sharon O’Sullivan sold property to Hossam Mohamed and Sara Ali.

9 Kerry Court, $400,000.
Valerie Raccuia (as Trustee) sold property to Sean Iacobelli and Joanna Meyer.

Saratoga Automobile Museum To Host Drive-In Consignment Day for Motorcar Auction

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Automobile Museum has announced that it will host a drive-in consignment day at the Museum on Saturday, July 11 to promote the upcoming fourth annual Saratoga Motorcar Auction taking place this September.

From 9 a.m.-2 p.m., prospective consignors will have the opportunity to meet in-person with the auction team to discuss consigning their vehicle for the auction. Should the prospective consignor and the auction team decide the vehicle will be part of the auction, the team will work with the consignor to estimate an value range for the vehicle, take professional photographs on-site, and execute a consignment contract with the auction.

“Our drive-in consignment day is a great opportunity for prospective consignors to go through the consignment process in-person with our amazing team,” said Bill Windham, auction director of the Saratoga Motorcar Auction.

Appointments for the drive-in consignment day are not required but are encouraged by either e-mailing bill.windham@saratogaautomuseum.org or by calling 518-401-5180.

Additional dates include July 25, August 1 and August 15. The Saratoga Motorcar Auction, now in its fourth year, will take place Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19 on the stage of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. In the auction’s third year, nearly 300 vehicles were part of the event. This year, the auction will feature incredible rare and classic vehicles and automobilia. The Auction is the largest annual fundraiser for the Museum’s exhibit and educational programs.

Per New York State and CDC guidelines, facemasks and social distancing will be followed and required to ensure the safety of our attendees, staff and volunteers.

To consign, register to bid, or to learn more about the Saratoga Motorcar Auction, please visit saratogamotorcarauctions.org.

Three States Added to N.Y. Travel Advisory

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

ALBANY — Delaware, Kansas and Oklahoma have been added to New York’s travel advisory requiring a 14-day quarantine for incoming travelers, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced July 7. 

The travel advisory: if a person has traveled from within one of the designated states with significant community spread, they must quarantine when entering New York for 14 days from the last travel within such designated state. 

The states listed on the travel advisory are based upon a seven-day rolling average, of positive tests in excess of 10%, or number of positive cases exceeding 10 per 100,000 residents.

The list of states is: Alabama; Arkansas; Arizona; California; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Iowa; Idaho; Kansas; Louisiana; Mississippi; North Carolina; Nevada; Oklahoma; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas and Utah.

For general inquires contact the call the Hotline: 1-888-364-3065. To file a report of an individual failing to adhere to the quarantine pursuant to the travel advisory go online at: mylicense.custhelp.com/app/ask, or call 1-833-789-0470.

Hudson River Community Credit Union Awards Area High School Graduates with College Scholarships

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

CORINTH — Hudson River Community Credit Union (HRCCU) has awarded three deserving local high school seniors with $1,000 college scholarships. These scholarships will allow the recipients to offset the cost of studying at a two or four-year college or university this Fall.

The recipients of HRCCU’s 2020 College Scholarships are Jovanni Mosca, Corinth CSD; Lea Richard, South Glens Falls CSD; and Sean Pettis, Glens Falls CSD.

“We congratulate our 2020 scholarship winners for continued excellence in their schools and communities,” said CEO Sue Commanda. 

Applicants were asked to submit references, list school and community activities, and write an essay about how they plan to give back to their communities following college graduation. Finalists were selected based on a 100-point scoring system.

HRCCU has a partnership with a number of schools in the Capital Region. Dedicated to youth financial literacy, the credit union funds a financial literacy program through Banzai! in the Hudson Falls and Watervliet school districts. It also hosts a school banking program in the Corinth and Glens Falls school districts where children learn the importance of saving as well as lifelong financial skills right at school.

When the Coronavirus shutdown took effect in New York, customer interactions at Precision Upstate came to a screeching halt. The Scotia-based installer of custom closet systems and glass shower enclosures faced a serious issue.

“We went from walking through our design center side-by-side with customers to not being able to be in the same physical place as them,” said Peter Klein, President of Precision Upstate. “Our design process as we knew it was suddenly not possible.”

With some creative thinking and embracing state and CDC guidelines came a new way for Precision Upstate to work with their customers: Virtual 3D Tours. Using 360 degree camera technology, the company developed virtual tours of their Design Center and Showcase Home. These virtual tours were then added to their website so customers could explore the design possibilities from the safety and comfort of their own home.

“The response has been excellent,” said Klein. “Our customers really love the virtual tours and our designers have made them a central part of their process.”

In order to cope with the increase in business in both its commercial and residential divisions, Precision Upstate is hiring at least eight additional employees. In the spirit of making lemonade from lemons, the company has reinvented itself to meet the new normal.

“Homeowners are happy, we’re putting more people to work, and in June we paid the highest monthly bonus for employees in our company history,” said Klein. “It’s a win-win.”

Precision Upstate is located at 115 Freemans Bridge Road in Scotia with a second facility for its commercial division is Rotterdam. To take a Virtual 3D Tour of their Design Center and Showcase Home, visit www.precisionupstate.com. For more information call 518-631-5831.

New Summer Derby Tours: Mansion to Mansion

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Each Saturday, weather permitting, July 11, 18 and 25, 2020, step back in time with us as we learn about the families that made homes in the majestic houses on Union Avenue. We will even have the opportunity to visit the first floors of two of the Grand Mansions.

We start at the corner of Regent & Union Avenue and learn about the house that was originally owned by the Rockwood family. As we continue down Union Avenue, we will visit inside Union Gables. Built in 1901 by an orphan who, through his personal drive, became one of the largest merchants in the village.

We then stroll further down Union Avenue toward the Track learning the history of each of the houses. Our last stop inside a mansion is at Saratoga Dreams built in the 1880’s. Hear how the house was originally designed and why the floor plans were changed before it was completed. 

The walking tours are ninety minutes, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $25 per-person and includes a copy of one of the books by your tour guide, author and Victorian Historian Hollis Palmer. 

Social distancing and face masks are required. Reservations must be made prior to the date via derbytours2014@gmail.com or 518-495-7012. During the pandemic, we will not be able to use bathrooms in the houses so please plan ahead.

Saratoga Financial Services Shred Event a Success

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Financial Services would like to thank everyone who came out on Saturday, June 27 to join them for their ninth annual shred event.

This year they partnered with ConfiData, the Saratoga Business Journal, Fingerpaint and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce to make the event free for all community members to participate. 

The event had its largest turnout yet, bringing in more than 9,000 pounds of paper from the public to shred. All documents were securely destroyed at the event, and have since been baled and shipped to local paper mills to be recycled for reuse.

Saratoga Financial Services would also like to thank everyone for their generous donations to benefit the Act With Respect Always program. The local non-profit organization had its founder, Rich Johns, along with three student volunteers helping at the event. They raised $600, all of which is used to help spread the importance of respect in our schools, sports and lives.

Start a box to throw your old and unneeded documents in now and stay tuned for Saratoga Financial Services’ tenth annual Shred Event happening next spring of 2021.

New Grant Helps Local Farm Support Food Pantries

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Around the country, food banks are seeing an unprecedented increase in the need for food while also experiencing a decline in donations. A new grant from Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) will help support the mission of Pitney Meadows Community Farm to supply fresh local food to the area food pantries.

The farm will use the grants funds to purchase seeds and plant starts and hire additional staff in order to increase the farm’s production. The project will allows the community farm to increase donations to local food pantries to at least 15,000 lbs.

“COVID-19 has hurt people in many ways, but the food supply chain has been hit especially hard,” said Pitney board member Kim London. “We greatly appreciate this grant that will allow us to continue supporting our community through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”

Eight North Country farm and food businesses were awarded a total of $100,000 in grant funding, mad possible by anonymous donors, for the effort that bolster food and farm security in the region. Pitney Meadows Community Farm is located at 223 West Ave in Saratoga Springs. They can be reached by phone at 518-290-0008 or email pitneymeadowscommunityfarm.org/contact.