Author: Saratoga TODAY

The Saratoga County Department of Aging & Youth Services is seeking applications for youth programming services from municipalities and nonprofit, community-based organizations for the program year.  Programs must reach the general youth population with quality recreation, social and/or skill-building programs.

 All 2025-2026 grant applications are due to the Department of Aging & Youth Services on or before July 31, 2025. Entities are advised to read the current local commissioners memorandum (LCM) attached within each funding stream for details on eligibility and requirements.

Four funding streams are available:

• Youth Development Programs (YDP): Grants will be awarded to programs for youth under 21 that provide free, direct services designed to improve youth and community outcomes.

• Youth Sports and Education Funding (YSEF): Grants will be awarded to programs that serve youth ages 6-17 and aim to foster educational connections and achievement; physical health and well-being; mental health and well-being; employment; and/or community cohesion.

• Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA): RHY services are grounded in the Positive Youth Development framework and focus on supporting and developing healthy relationships to enhance youths’ existing strengths and resiliency, while incorporating youth voice and leadership into programming.

• Youth Team Sports (YTS): is grounded in the principles of positive youth development. YTS may be used to fund programming that provides opportunities for youth in under-resourced communities to learn and participate in team sports activities. This may include educational instruction necessary to prepare youth to participate in team sports.

Specific funding eligibility requirements are as follows:

• The program targets youth and families in Saratoga County.

• Your agency is a not-for-profit or a community-based organization with federal identification or charity registration number.

• Municipalities charging a fee for program participation must provide a written policy to accommodate youth who are unable to pay by either offering scholarships, a tiered fee schedule or waiving the fee.

• Insurance requirements will be met per contract.

• The program will operate and expend all funds during the contract period.

• Funded programs must have sufficient overhead to support the reimbursement-claiming process through completion.

• The claim for reimbursement and the annual report are due annually by October 10th.

• Entities are advised to read the current LCM attached within each funding stream for details on eligibility and requirements.

Funding is made available through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Required forms and additional information about funding eligibility requirements and grant eligibility criteria are available on saratogacountyny.gov/youth. For more information, please call (518) 884-4100

This week at the Clifton Park Library.

The following programs will be offered during the week of July 14-20. Details and registration information for each program can be found at www.cphlibrary.org or by calling 518-371-8622.

Summer Story Time—Mondays & Thursdays at 10 am: July 14 & 17

Nurture your child’s love of reading with stories and songs on our Back Lawn. Visit our website and social media for weather-related updates.  

Teen Paint & Sip—Monday, July 14 at 4 pm

Grab a snack, pick up a brush, and let your creativity flow. No skills needed—just good vibes, cool drinks, and colorful masterpieces. For grades 6-12. Registration required.

Language Exchange Café at MochaLisa’s Caffé & Books—Monday, July 14 at 6 pm

Interested in practicing a language? Join other language enthusiasts for an hour of conversation. Pair up with a partner who is proficient in your target language and get practicing.

Read Digital Newspapers for FREE—Tuesday, July 15 at 2 pm

Learn how to use library resources to access free newspaper articles from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Daily Gazette, NY Post, and more! Registration required.

Tuesday Crafternoon: Rainbow Fish Art—Tuesday, July 15 at 2 pm

Join us for a fun afternoon of crafting from a variety of materials! For Gr. K-5, with an adult.

ZOOM: PJ Story Time—Tuesday, July 15 at 7 pm Clifton Park, NY

Get comfy in your favorite PJs, grab a blanket, and tune in for a special story time from home. Registration required.

Therapy Dogs

De-stress while hanging out with a furry friend!

• For Adults: Wednesday, July 16 at 10 am
• For Teens: Thursday, July 17 at 4:30 pm

Wacky Wednesday: Mini Golf—Wednesday, July 16 at 10 am

Get ready to have some wacky outdoor fun at this drop-in program! For preschool-Gr. 5, with an adult.

Teen LEGO Mastery Competition!—Wednesday, July 16 at 2 pm

Are you up for a challenge? Build a set from your favorite action movie and compete to see if you have what it takes to win! All LEGOs will be provided. For grades 6-12. Registration required.

HYBRID: Banned Book Club: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore–Thursday, July 17 at 2 pm

Moore’s newest novel follows the disappearance of a young girl from her wealthy family’s summer camp in the Adirondacks, uncovering dark secrets within the family and the surrounding community as the investigation reveals a similar missing sibling case from years prior. All are welcome, including new participants. Registration required for virtual attendees only.

Art in the Afternoon: Seurat—Thursday, July 17 at 2 pm

We will read about French artist George Seurat and create our own painting using Seurat’s technique of Pointillism. For Gr. 3-5. Registration required.

ZOOM: Virtual Author Talk with Marie Lu—Thursday, July 17 at 4 pm

Explore the intricate world of Legend with Marie Lu as she encourages readers to look beyond the surface and reveal hidden secrets. Explore the depths of deceit, battle for power, and the lengths characters will go to unmask the Truth. Registration required.

Teen Mini Golf—Thursday, July 17 at 7 pm

Grab your friends and show off your putting skills–right on the Library’s Back Lawn! Whether you’re a pro or just here for the laughs, we’ve got obstacles, prizes, and snacks. For grades 6-12.Registration required.

Community Field Trip: Mabee Farm—Friday, July 18 at 11 am

Meet us at Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction for a historic farm tour. Registration required.

Fri-YAY Ice Cream Social—Friday, July 18, 2-3 pm

Stop by the Library for a sweet summer treat! Ice cream and toppings provided courtesy of Stewart’s Shops, while supplies last. For all ages.

Saturday Outdoor Story Time—Saturday, July 19 at 10 am

Join us for stories, songs, and fun! Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

 Monday at 5:22 p.m., the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office received notification from the Schenectady County communications center of a motor vehicle being operated by a minor in Saratoga County without the owner’s consent. The vehicle was reportedly taken in their jurisdiction.

At approximately 5:29 p.m., deputies located the vehicle in the area of Grooms Road in the town of Halfmoon and attempted a vehicle stop. The vehicle fled and was last seen traveling south on U.S. Route 9 at a high rate of speed into the town of Colonie. The Sheriff’s Office notified the Colonie Police Department and deputies terminated their involvement at that time for the safety of the public.

At approximately 7:00 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office was notified that the vehicle was believed to be in the D & R Village mobile home park in the town of Halfmoon. Deputies located the vehicle at that location and attempted to stop it at which time the vehicle fled again traveling eastbound on state Route 146. The vehicle proceeded to crash into a guard rail at the intersection of state Routes 146 and 4/32 causing significant front-end damage. It continued to flee southbound on Routes 4/32 into the village of Waterford nearly striking a flag in a construction zone on Third Street before driving across a resident’s lawn on John Street and into the Hudson River. 

The operator exited the vehicle once it had entered the river and attempted to swim away towards the city of Troy stopping approximately halfway. Deputies swam out to the person and took them into custody shortly thereafter. The operator was charged with reckless endangerment in the 1st degree (class D felony), two counts of unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the 3rd degree (class A misdemeanor), and two counts of reckless driving (unclassified misdemeanor). 

The minor is considered a juvenile delinquent under New York state law and was released on appearance tickets pending further proceedings in the Saratoga County Family Court. There were no injuries reported, and the vehicle was removed from the river by Lussier’s Autobody & Repairs and KJ Sterns Towing.

Congregation Shaara Tfille and The Jewish Community Center of Saratoga Springs are excited to present a play reading, “My Name is Asher Lev” at 2:00 pm and at 7:00 pm on Sunday, July 27, at Congregation Shaara Tfille, 84 Weibel Avenue. 

The performances are part of the 2025 Saratoga Jewish Cultural Festival. This event is sponsored by a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Northeast New York. There is a $5 admission charge that also includes light refreshments.

Advanced reservations are required and walk-ins will not be admitted. RSVP by phoning Congregation Shaara Tfille at 518-584- 2370 or email, saratogajcc@albany.twcbc.com by July 24. 

“My Name is Asher Lev” is a play adapted by Aaron Posner, from the novel of the same name by the acclaimed author Chaim Potok. This reading will be directed by Dianne O’Neill, who has directed numerous regional productions, including our moving 2023 production of “The Chosen” by Chaim Potok. 

The play follows the journey of a young Jewish painter, torn between his Hasidic upbringing and his desperate need to fulfill his artistic promise. When his artistic genius threatens to destroy his relationship with his parents and the community, young Asher realizes he must make a difficult choice between art and faith. 

This stirring adaptation of a modern classic presents a heartbreaking and triumphant vision of what it means to be an artist. The Philadelphia Inquirer, describes the play as: “…a profound declaration of the power of storytelling on a stage.”