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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Iron Chef Saratoga Event Raises More Than $32K for Wellspring

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Iron Chef champs 30 Lake. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Chefs from three prominent area restaurants and bartenders from two popular local bars competed at Airosmith Development’s third annual Iron Chef Saratoga event last week to raise funds for Wellspring, the county’s domestic violence and sexual assault resource agency. 

All proceeds from ticket sales – over $32,000 – will go toward the agency’s mission to support survivors and engage the community to end relationship and sexual abuse. 

As in the classic Iron Chef culinary game show, chefs were given a secret ingredient and each round was timed. The competing chefs, from well-known Saratoga restaurants 30 Lake, Osteria Danny, and Salt & Char, were a new addition to this year’s Iron Chef. Previous events had featured notable community members cooking and competing, including the event’s creator herself, Margaret Smith-Cassier, founder and CEO of Airosmith Development and longtime member of Wellspring’s Board of Directors. This year’s event also featured a new specialty cocktail competition between bartenders from Spa City Tap and Barrel and Lucy’s Bar.

In addition to the specialty cocktails, the 150 guests in attendance were treated to two rounds of appetizers prepared by each restaurant’s chefs as well as hors d’oeuvres, desserts, a prosecco bar, live music, and the excitement of watching the chefs prepare each dish. 

Attendees voted to choose the winners of the evening. Spa City Tap and Barrel was selected as the cocktail competition winner, and 30 Lake was crowned this year’s Iron Chef, taking home a sizable trophy and bragging rights.

Wellspring is the domestic violence and sexual assault services resource for Saratoga County residents and the sexual assault resource for Washington County. Wellspring’s mission is to support survivors and engage the community to end relationship and sexual abuse. Wellspring provides emergency shelter, a 24-hour phone hotline, counseling, legal advocacy, housing assistance, innovative programs, and more. All services are free, non-judgmental, and confidential.   

Facelift? Plans Submitted for Downtown Chipotle

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured, News.

City Development: A proposed 2,343 sq. ft. restaurant was recently
submitted to the city’s Planning Board at 12 Ballston Ave. pictured above.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city stages regularly scheduled meetings by three Land Use Boards that review development activities within city boundaries. Those boards are typically where new development projects, or alterations to existing developments are discussed.   

The Saratoga Springs Planning Board is a 7-member citizen board that has jurisdiction over the development of most new multi-family, commercial, institutional and industrial projects. 

The Saratoga Springs Design Review Board is a 7-member citizen board which reviews development activities within city boundaries – Historic Review, and Architectural Review.

The Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is a quasi-judicial 7-member citizen board that reviews requests for waivers from existing regulations in the zoning ordinance. 

Multiple workshops and meetings are held monthly related to all three boards. The meetings are open to the public. For a specific schedule of meetings and agenda items, visit the city website at: Saratoga-springs.org. 

Saratoga County Career Center Announces June Virtual Workshops

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Career Center in conjunction with the Greater Capital Region Career Centers will hold the following free virtual career workshops in June:

June 7 at 10 a.m.: Resume Development. This workshop presents the basics of a powerful and effective cover letter including formatting, tailoring to the job, and getting through the online application process to land an interview. Please have a rough draft of your resume with you. Facilitated by Rensselaer & Columbia-Greene.

June 13 at 10:30 a.m.: Interview Preparation. Learn how to articulate your strengths, what questions to expect, how to address difficult topics, and ace the interviewing process. Facilitated by Schenectady.

June 17 at 10 a.m.: Goal Setting. This workshop explores how goal setting works, why goals are important, and provides helpful resources to get you started to reach your dreams.  Facilitated by Washington and Albany.

June 15 at 11 a.m.: Completing Job Applications. Statistics show approximately 50% of mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system to screen candidates for job opportunities. Learn how to prepare your online application to get the most visibility from hiring managers. Facilitated by Warren and Washington.

June 22 at 1:30 p.m.: Social Media. Your social media presence can make or break your ability to find a job. Learn how to use social media to your advantage in searching for a job and marketing yourself to land the job or career you’ve always wanted. Facilitated by Schenectady.

June 27 at 11 a.m.: Overcoming Barriers. Join an informal discussion about how to overcome potential stumbling blocks to finding a job. Whether you’re facing transportation needs, childcare needs, prior justice system involvement, inexperience, health concerns or more, this workshop will provide you with resources and strategies to help you meet your goals. Facilitated by Saratoga and Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie.

Registration is required for all workshops. Visit thejoblink.org/calendar to register or call the Saratoga County Career Center at 518-884-4170 for more information.  The workshops are offered as part of the Saratoga County Career Center’s WorkPays! workforce education campaign.

Benson’s Pet Center Dock Dogs 2023

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Photo by Precise Image Creations, edited by Benson’s Pet Center.

CLIFTON PARK — Benson’s Pet Center presents Dock Dogs 2023, taking place at Clifton Park Benson’s on June 9, 10, 11, featuring 28 animal focused vendors, plus food and an ice cream truck.

Benson’s Pet Center will bring Dock Dogs to 12 Fire Rd for the sixth time. Dock Dogs 2023 will feature three different dock diving events. Dogs jump for distance, height, and also compete in a speed retrieval event.

This year, the event will have:

•Two huge grand prizes. There will be a Vendor card available upon your arrival. If you visit each vendor and get their stamp/signature, you can enter your card into either grand prize option. Grand Prize #1 is provided by Instinct Pet Food for two tandem sky dives with the video package at Saratoga Skydive. Grand Prize #2 is provided by Primal Pet Food for six Diamond Season Passes for the Great Escape.

• 25 Pet product vendors

• Teagan’s Lemonade Stand to benefit Veterans Coalition Housing Community.

• Food! Grill items and sides will be for sale.

• Ice Cream from Pirate’s Cove. All homemade hard ice cream plus dog ice cream.

• Dock Dogs 2023 is brought to you by Canidae Pet Food.

“Watching dogs compete by running down the dock, jumping high into the air and landing in water all while catching and retrieving things are insanely great for spectators but also pure joy for dogs and the Dock Dog’s events are a clear leader in enabling love of dogs and family fun,” said DOGZ CEO Rob Urbach. 

Galway Public Library Holding Budget Vote & Election June 7

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

GALWAY — Galway Public Library, 2112 East St. in Galway, will hold its annual budget vote and Board of Trustees election at the library on June 7, from 2 to 8 p.m. There is one vacancy on the board. Santina Florio is running to fill the seat she vacated. More information is available at www.galwaypubliclibrary.org. 

Skin By ASK Opens in Downtown Saratoga Springs 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Luxury Skin Specialist Brings Celebrity Favorite High Tech Skincare Treatments to Upstate NY


Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Andrew Stephen Kelly has announced the official grand opening of his luxury boutique medical spa, Skin By ASK, located at 29 Church Street in Saratoga Springs.

Kelly has worked for some of the top skin care practices in New York City and started his first location in Latham. He recently moved his practice to downtown Saratoga Springs, bringing his specialized techniques to the Capital Region.

“Saratoga Springs is a magical place with such great energy and lots of other talented entrepreneurs and small businesses. I’m so grateful to be a part of this community and to be able to bring something different to the area,” said Kelly in a press release.

A licensed aesthetician for over eight years, Kelly is certified in a wide variety of treatments, including laser treatment, microneedling, chemical peels, and radiofrequency technology. He said Skin By ASK specializes in “non-invasive, rejuvenating types of treatments.”

Skin By ASK is the exclusive and first-ever provider in the Capital Region area to have Biologique Recherche Paris, Raja Medical Ionix and Lutronic TotalSkin treatments. Skin By ASK offers a menu of high-end medical spa services including injectables, laser, microneedling, skin tightening, facials, hydrafacial, chemical peels, and skin care lines.

Kelly said the company will also return to Latham this summer, with plans of opening a second location at 959 Louden Rd. The company’s current spot at 29 Church Street is a “great location,” in downtown Saratoga, Kelly said.

“There’s a lot of natural light, so the space just has a great energy along with the community in general, which I love the feel of,” Kelly said. “Just happy to be part of the Saratoga business community, and hopefully adding value for the people that live in the community.”

Kelly has worked with celebrities like Naomi Campbell, Alexander Wang, Nate Berkus, several Victoria Secret models and more to prep their skin for events, photoshoots, and movies.

Skin By ASK is the only practice in Saratoga Springs to offer the Lutronic TotalSkin treatment. ASK also offers Raja Medical Ionix treatments used by celebrities around the globe prior to red carpets and events. 

Skin By ASK had a soft opening in the fall, and recently held its official grand-opening on May 19. The company is a family business, co-owned by Kelly and his mother, Barbara Kelly.

“Me and my mom run the business. So we really care about each person that comes in,” Kelly said. “We have a smaller, family-owned atmosphere, and try to give that personal touch to each person.”

Skin By ASK was created by Kelly to not only help clients look their best but feel their best from the inside out.

“This was my goal in opening up my own practice and is the most rewarding part of my job, seeing people flourish when they are confident in themselves,” said Kelly in the press release. “It’s a beautiful thing to help someone who is struggling with their skin.”

To schedule an appointment with Skin By ASK, call the spa at 518-886-1007, email Andrew at andrew@skinbyask.com or book online at www.skinbyask.com.

June 2 – June 8, 2023

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

This beautiful home at 3 Evergreen Dr in Wilton was listed by Tara Garrett of Roohan Realty and sold for $349,900.

BALLSTON

Brookview Court Inc sold property at 64 Arcadia Ct to Bruce Stanley for $353,371

Lance Evans sold property at 357 Hop City Rd to Laurie Boucher for $440,000

Timothy Board sold property at 39 Long Creek Dr to Eric Williams for $653,000

Eastline Holdings LLC sold property at 23 Timber Creek Dr to Tharun Rallabandi for $709,233

MALTA 

Mary Deblasiis sold property at 9 North Ridge to Francis Foti for $367,500

Thomas Felice sold property at 20 Ordelia Lane to John Rice for $434,000

Aura Mahoney sold property at 676 East Line Rd to Zachary Porter for $320,000

3D Lundy LTD sold property at 2782 NYS Rt 9 to Sage Estates Malta LLC for $2,380,000

Christopher Busold sold property at 106 9th St to 106 9th St LLC for $200,000

Rebecca Hoffmann sold property at 254 Old Post Rd to Anthony Panipinto for $405,000

Ellen Pike sold property at 2 Troy Ave to Lisa Schroeder for $130,000

Catherine Dufkin sold property at 5 Maple Forest Dr to Jeffrey Dekalb for $555,000

Alfred Allen sold property at 70 Shore Avenue to Douglas Clark for $300,000

SARATOGA

Anthony Praga sold property at 31 Myers Lane to Casey Gilligan for $236,000

Luca Bordignon sold property at 1 Washington St to Joseph Mackey for $234,325

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Helen Porter sold property at 5 Birch Run Dr to Robin Guarino for $460,000

Glen Harland sold property at 10 Jenee Way to Kevin Carcaterra for $315,000

Michael Rieder sold property at 5 Doggetts Coat Pl to Anthony Adler for $902,000.

Boghosian Brothers Inc. sold property at 481 Grand Ave to Alan Tapley for $703,455

Derek Miller sold property at 21 Deerleap Pl to Nicholas French for $339,900

Peter Maioriello sold property at 663 Crescent Ave to Patricia Tuz for $750,000

Kain Development LLC sold property at Walden Lane to Darryl DeHaas for $197,000.

Steven Dunker sold property at 14 Clement Ave to Gray Gables LLC for $3,450,000

WILTON

Stephen Horne sold property at 227 Northern Pines Rd to Daniel Ciampino for $449,000.

Brenda Gonzalo sold property at 8 Kyer Farm Rd to Elizabeth Fisher for $654,540

Rizaldy Pajaron sold property at 49 Timbira Dr to Keegan Paye for $431,000

Christopher Dunn sold property at 100 Damascus Dr to Kelly Smith for $404,000.

Adam Costello sold property at 5 Ryanwood Ct to Matthew Wilson for $405,000

Mason Durrin sold property at 102 Blanchard Rd to Shawn Thomson for $410,000

Scotties Stampede 5K Held in B’Spa

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District recently hosted the annual Scotties Stampede 5k Run/Walk as part of the district’s Wellness Day 2023. The event followed a highly popular Kids Color Run with close to 300 students enjoying a run around the campus amidst clouds of color chalk. 

The top three finishers of the Scotties 5k were Andrew Wade in first place, Ari Bishop in second place and Robert Diamond in third place. Complete results are available via the ARE events website.

The Gold Level Sponsors of the event were Empire BlueCross and Blue Shield. Silver Level Sponsors included Roundabout Runners Club, CDPHP, Adirondack Cabling, Inc., New York State Sheriffs’ Association, NYSSA – C-Pass, Ballston Spa National Bank and Speckled Pig Brewing Co. Bronze Level Sponsors were High Rock Realty, Inc., John W Danforth Company, Leonard Bus Sales Inc., Adirondack Trust Company, Elliott Property Services and T-Shirt Graphics. The Community Level Supporter was Harold R Clune, Inc.

The Wellness Expo once again offered information from community organizations, a free bike raffle, live demonstrations and plenty of great giveaways during the event. The goal is to bring the school community together for a fun-filled day and encourage students and families to participate in healthy and active lifestyles.

As in year’s past, proceeds from the event will support the district’s Ballston Spa Partnership for Innovation in Education Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Call the Office of Community Relations and Program Support at 518-884-7195 x1369 or contact Kelly Delaney-Elliott at kelliott@bscsd.org for more information.

Schuylerville Girls Track Wins Section 2 Group 3 Championship

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

Photo provided by Schuylerville Central School District.

CRARYVILLE —The Schuylerville varsity girls track team used a balanced effort to take home the Section 2 Group 3 Championship on Thursday at Taconic Hills High School.

With a total of 111 points, the Black Horses’ girls squad finished in first, beating out second-place Albany Academy for Girls (86 points). Schuylerville received event victories from Nikki Stark, Ryan Stark, and Meaghan Lynch en route to the team win.

See below for full results from top finishers for the Schuylerville boys and girls teams:

Schuylerville Girls

Nikki Stark won the 400-meter hurdles (1:06.22), while Ryan Stark won the pole vault (9’ 6”). Meaghan Lynch took first place in the triple jump (35’ 11.5”).

Keira Rogan placed second in both the 1,500-meter (4:55.30) and the 3,000-meter (10:36.39), while Adeline Ballou finished second in the 2,000-meter steeplechase (7:57.45), and third in both the 1,500-meter (5:14.37) and the 3,000-meter (11:26.98).

Ryan Stark also placed second in the long jump (15’ 10.75”), and sixth in the triple jump (32’ 3”). Nikki Stark finished third in the 100-meter hurdles (16.16). 

The team of Ryan Stark, Nikki Stark, Riley VanCott, and Lynch placed second in the 4 x 100 relay (51.83). In the 4 x 400 relay, the team of VanCott, Alayna Wian, Nikki Stark, and Megan Vianese placed third (4:18.67). The team of Lillian Letzring, Taylor Brown, Sidney Jacobs, and Louisa Fabritius finished third in the 4 x 800 relay (11:02.61).

Lynch also placed fourth in the long jump (15’ 7.25”). Vianese finished fourth in the 800-meter (2:33.23), with Hannah Yonkin fifth (2:36.54). Bailey Campbell placed sixth in the pentathlon (1,855).

Schuylerville Boys

The Schuylerville boys team finished 16th, with a total of six points. Gavin Winacott placed fourth in the 3,200-meters (10:38.25), while James Lynch finished fifth in the pole vault (11’ 0”) and ninth in the 1,600-meters (5:02.67).

Levi Michaud placed seventh in the high jump (5’ 3”), while Sam Dwyer finished eighth in the 100-meter (11.63).

Saratoga Athletes Earn Individual Victories at Section 2 Championship

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

COLONIE — Seventeen athletes from Saratoga Springs earned victories at the 2023 Section 2 Group 1 Championships at Colonie High School on May 24.

The Saratoga girls squad placed second as a team (146 points), trailing only Guilderland (183 points). The Saratoga boys team placed second, finishing with 135 points. The Shenendehowa boys squad was first with 141 points as a team.

The Ballston Spa girls squad placed seventh as a team, totaling 30 points, while the Scotties’ boys team placed 11th with a total of 10 points.

Saratoga’s Sheridan Wheeler won both the 400-meter hurdles and the 2,000-meter steeplechase, while McKinley Wheeler earned wins in the 3,000-meter run and as part of the Blue Streaks’ 4×800 relay team. The relay squad also included Anya Belisle, Heidi Berglund, and Alycia Hart.

Emily Bush won the 1,500-meter run, while Amelia McBain won the pole vault. On the boys’ side, Saratoga’s Joao Dos Anjos Neto also took home first place in the pole vault, and Evan Rando placed first in the pentathlon.

The Blue Streaks’ 4 x 400 relay squad of Charles Dybala, Andrew Hope, Aidan Slavett, and Connor Varian placed first, while the 4 x 800 relay team of Thomas Isenovski, Hope, Luke Dacey, and Owen Blaisdell also came away with a victory. 

See below for top finishers from both schools:

Saratoga Girls (2nd place, 146 points)

Sheridan Wheeler won both the 400-meter hurdles (1:04.57) and the 2,000-meter steeplechase (6:38.05), finishing second in the 3,000-meter run (10:00.67). McKinley Wheeler took first place in the 3,000-meter run (10:00.30), second in the 1,500-meter run (4:33.33), and fourth in the 800-meter run (2:15.98). 

Emily Bush won the 1,500-meter run (4:32.34), also placing third in both the 800-meter run (2:14.72) and the 3,000-meter run (10:03.19). The team of Anya Belisle, Heidi Berglund, Alycia Hart, and McKinley Wheeler won the 4 x 800 relay (9:27.43). In the 4 x 400 relay, the team of Bush, Hart, Sheridan Wheeler, and Elena Evans finished second (4:06.35).

Amelia McBain won the pole vault (10’ 0”), placing seventh in the long jump (16’ 0.5”) and eighth in the triple jump (33’ 7.5”). Genevieve Duchaussee took second place in the 100-meter hurdles (15.64), high jump (5’ 0”), and shot put (35’ 4.25”), finishing sixth in the 400-meter hurdles (1:10.16). 

Annabelle Schuck placed second in the long jump (17’ 2.5”), and sixth in the triple jump (34’ 1.75”). Sloane Mulcahy took fourth in the high jump (4’ 8”), while Belisle finished fourth in the 1,500-meter run (4:46.45). 

Hart placed fifth in the 400-meter dash (1:00.63), while Natalie Wilding finished fifth in the 2,000-meter steeplechase (7:53.90), and Claire Braxton took seventh place in pole vault (7’ 0”).

Saratoga Boys (2nd place, 135 points)

The team of Charles Dybala, Andrew Hope, Aidan Slavett, and Connor Varian won the 4 x 400 relay (3:26.00), while the team of Thomas Isenovski, Hope, Luke Dacey, and Owen Blaisdell won the 4 x 800 relay (8:15.46). Joao Dos Anjos Neto, Tucker Zeh, Nick Baldwin, and Ethan Straughter placed second in the 4 x 100 relay (44.03).

Dos Anjos Neto won the pole vault (14’ 0”), and took second in the long jump (21’ 5.25”), while Evan Rando took first place in the pentathlon (2,612). Straughter finished second in the 200-meter dash (22.64), third in the 100-meter dash (11.22), and seventh in the long jump (20’ 0.75”).

Slavett placed second in the 400-meter dash (51.00), while Blaisdell was third in the 800-meter run (2:01.16). Jacob Bernd finished fourth in both the 800-meter run (2:01.20) and the 1,600-meter run (4:26.36), while Mason Talarico took third in the 1,600-meter (4:23.61) and ninth in the 3,200-meter run (9:44.37).

Caleb Yuhasz took second in the 3000-meter steeplechase (9:51.89), with Hudson Shaw in third (10:21.00) and Leydon Hemsworth in eighth (10:36.47). Dybala finished third in the 400-meter hurdles (57.10), while Evan Griffiths placed fifth (59.96).

Billy Thobae finished fourth in the shot put (41’ 4.75”), while Varian placed fifth in the 400-meter dash (51.66). Cooper Brandriss finished sixth in the 3,200-meter run (9:38.08), with Darren Pasek in eighth (9:43.76).

Jayden Cox took seventh in the discus (109’ 7”), while Owen Dagostino finished ninth in the high jump (5’ 6”). Michael Briscoe was ninth in the pole vault (10’ 6”).

Ballston Spa Girls (7th place, 30 points)

Harriet Healey took second place in the 400-meter dash (57.82) and fourth in the 400-meter hurdles (1:08.33). 

The team of Healey, Petrina Zborovsky, Tatiana McCray, and Gabrielle Bozeth finished fourth in the 4 x 100 relay (50.79). Bozeth, Candace Warlikowski, Zborovsky, and Healey combined to place fifth in the 4 x 400 relay (4:18.82). 

Zborovsky finished fourth in the 100-meter dash (12.61) and 10th in the 200-meter dash (26.74). Bozeth placed fifth in the 200-meter dash (26.06) and eighth in the 100-meter (12.77), while Emily Hye finished seventh in the 2000-meter steeplechase (8:19.32).

Ballston Spa Boys (11th place, 10 points)

Brandon Russell placed second in the discus (126’ 3”) and eighth in the shot put (39’ 5.5”). Isaiah Hannah took sixth in the 110-meter hurdles (15.60), while Joseph Fodera finished sixth in the 1600-meter run (4:43.32). Devin Hemraj placed seventh in the 400-meter hurdles (1:02.44), and eighth in the 110-meter hurdles (15.77).

The team of Jacob Armer, Silas Bashant, Michael Miller, and Matthew Meerdink finished seventh in the 4 x 800 relay (8:53.63). Emmett Hansen finished seventh in the pole vault (11’ 6”), while Kala’i Leahey-Makanani took eighth in the 200-meter dash (23.12).