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Author: Saratoga TODAY

City Under Development: Land Use Boards Meetings for 2022 Get Underway This Week

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The city’s three Land Use Boards – the Planning Board, Design Review Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals, launch their 2022 meetings this week.   

The city’s Design Review Commission hosts its first meeting of the calendar year at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 12.  Among applications under consideration are a historic review of a new 6-story mixed-use building at 269 Broadway, and a proposed fifth-floor addition to the existing four-story at 422 Broadway, the building that sites Northshire Bookstore Saratoga on its ground floor.   

A renewable Special Use Permit and Site Plan Review to maintain existing property as improved at 68 Weibel Avenue are two of the permits under consideration at this week’s meeting of the Planning Board, which takes place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 13. 

Applicant Gary Stone, of Saratoga Springs, is offering a proposal to operate and maintain existing mixed land uses on a 22.5-acre parcel on Weibel Avenue and a portion of a 40-acre parcel. The parcel includes approximately 145 feet of frontage on Weibel Avenue, with several existing commercial buildings on the parcel used either for storage or as currently occupied office buildings. 

The land includes a 900 square-foot building, two storage buildings (2,400 and 1,500 square feet, respectively), a 12,500 square-foot office building, a 1.5-acre boat storage area, a small clubhouse and 10-acre driving range area – the latter of which “has not been in used for few years,” according to documents filed with the city. All the buildings were approximately constructed in 1968.   

The existing buildings and boat storage are currently the subject of a land use and zoning violation identified by the city Building Department, and the application would attempt to cure those violations, according to documents seeking a Special Use Permit. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals hosts its first meeting of the new year at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 10.

Meetings are held at City Hall, 474 Broadway. For information regarding attendance at meetings, safety protocols, and livestream options, go to: saratoga-springs.org. 

Ballston Spa Comprehensive Plan Committee to Discuss Climate Change, Technology Effects

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA – The Village of Ballston Spa’s Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee will meet twice during the month of January to identify and discuss the effects of climate change and information technology advancements on the development, population, employment and economic prosperity of the village. 

The meetings will be held on the first and third Thursdays of the month. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. Jan. 20, at the Saratoga County Office Building at 50 West High St. 

The Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee has been formed to work in conjunction with a professional planning consultant to identify and study several topics over the course of the next year in order to create a final plan for approval by the Village board of trustees.  All meetings are open to the public, either in-person attendance or via Zoom. Zoom link will be available prior to each meeting online at www.villageofballstonspa.org/comprehensive-plan-steering-committee.

For more information, contact steering committee chairperson Karen Martell at karenmartell27@gmail.com or the Village Office at 518 885-5711, villageclerk@villageofballstonspa.org.

Wrestling News Recent Tournament Results and Rankings

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The Blue Streaks have six wrestlers who are currently ranked in the top five in their weight class for Section 2. Photos by Kim Delgado.

Queensbury Holiday Tournament 

Queensbury held their annual Holiday Tournament on Dec. 30, in which 16 schools across New York and Vermont competed. This year’s winner was Saranac (170.5) followed closely by Coxsackie Athens (170.0) in second place. Taking third and fourth were Shaker (146.5) and Queensbury (144.0), respectively. Rounding out the top five was Guilderland (115.0). Other local school placed as follows: 7th – Hudson Falls; 8th – Hadley Luzerne-Lake George; 10th – Glens Falls; 13th – Schuylerville; 14th – Corinth, 16th – South Glens Falls. 

The results of the Championship Finals in each weight class are listed below: 

102: Riley Bernash (Corinth) dec. Neil Murphy (Coxsackie-Athens), 7-6

110: Avi Berg (Glens Falls) maj. dec. Ryker Cox (Coxsackie-Athens), 14-2 

118: Michael Santore (Shaker) dec. Ryan Devins (Saranac), 4-0

126: Ashton Seymour (Saranac) pin Alan Frost-Jones (Beekmantown), 1:34 

132: Ashton Thompson (Rome Free Academy) pin Sameer Abbaszadeh (Shaker), 3:22

138: Sawyer Bell (Beekmantown) pin Cayden Bouvia (Saranac), 3:25 

145: Collin Clancy (Saranac) pin Antonio Rezek (Shaker), 1:04 

152: Hunter Davis (Saranac) dec. Lucas Shell (Queensbury), 7-2

160: Dylan Smith (Queensbury) dec. Aidan Jones (Schuylerville), 5-1 (OT) 

172: Dylan Schell (Queensbury) maj. dec. Jordan Koenig (Holland Patent), 11-2

189: Dillon Blanchard (Guilderland) dec. Ahmad Farzad (Shaker), 8-2 

215: Logan Marissal (HL/LG) pin Vincent Morizio (Guilderland), 0:36 

285: Connor Bushey (Beekmantown) pin Andrew Morris (Holland Patent), 5:31 

Section 2, Division 1 Rankings 

Team Rankings: Per cnywrestling.com, the Burnt Hills Spartans are at the top of the leaderboard. The Shenendehowa Plainsmen are ranked second, the Shaker Bison are third, and the Averill Park Warriors are fourth. Rounding out the current top five rankings for the 2021-22 season are the Ballston Spa Scotties. 

Several local athletes are also ranked within the current top five in their weight class: 

102: #2 – Danny Dacey (8th Grade, Saratoga Springs) 

110: #3 – Tyler Whiteley (Freshman, Burnt Hills); #4 – Ralph Keeney (Sophomore, Ballston Spa) 

118: #2 – Tristan Hinchcliff (Junior, Ballston Spa); #3 – Ben Taylor (Sophomore, Burnt Hills)

126: #1 – Gabriel Goss (Junior, Burnt Hills); #2 – Liam Carlin (Freshman, Burnt Hills); #4 – Cameron Hinchcliff (Junior, Ballston Spa) 

132: #3 – Taylor Beaury (Freshman, Saratoga Springs) 

138: #2 – Tyler Rossini (Senior, Burnt Hills); #3 – Colin Carlin (Junior, Burnt Hills); #5 – Kyle Griskowitz (Senior, Saratoga Springs) 

145: #1 – Joshua Warland (Junior, Burnt Hills) 

152: #1 – Connor Gregory (Junior, Ballston Spa); #4 – Gordon Murray (Junior, Saratoga Springs); Thomas Pawlinga (Junior, Burnt Hills) 

160: #3 – Sachiel Chuckrow (Junior, Saratoga Springs) 

172: #1 – Ryan Buthfer (Senior, Burnt Hills) 

189: #3 – Lorenzo Paleschi (Junior, Saratoga Springs); #5 Danny Casey (Senior, Burnt Hills) 

215: #1 – Darrien Insogna (Junior, Ballston Spa); #4 – Trevor Ismail (Senior, Burnt Hills) 

YMCA Family Programs

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

The Saratoga Regional YMCA has programs for everyone from toddler and parent classes to youth sports, to teen and adult archery at both the Saratoga and Wilton Branches. Come check out everything that the Y has to offer to keep your family healthy, active, and learning. Registration is open, and classes run from Jan. 17 to March 13. 

PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN:
These programs are designed for a caregiver and child to engage in together, socialize, learn, and meet new friends. 

Roc-n-Tots and Baby Jamboree are fun music and movement classes at the Saratoga Branch. Roc-N-Tots is Wednesdays from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. for 18 months to 2 yrs. Baby Jamboree, for ages 6-18 months is Fridays from 10 to 10:30 a.m. 

Story Time is a class that combines a story with activities and an art project. Story time at the Wilton Branch is Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Story Time at the Saratoga Branch is Fridays from 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. 

Mini Activity Play Group is a playgroup for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years. Each week the Y puts out gross motor activities for children to engage in. The playgroup at the Wilton Branch meets in the gymnastics studio on Mondays from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. The playgroup at the Saratoga Branch meets in the gym on Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. 

DANCE CLASSES:
Tiny Tutus: Children learn the basics of ballet in this beginner class for ages 3-5 yrs. Classes will be held on Tuesdays, 4:30 to 5:10 p.m., and Saturdays, 10:15 to 10:55 a.m. or 11:05 to 11:50 a.m. 

Twinkle Toes: Ballet and tap basics are combined in this class for ages 4-6 yrs. Classes will be held Tuesdays, 5:15 to 6 p.m., or Saturdays, 12:05 to 1:05 p.m. 

Jazz: This beginner jazz class introduces a new dance style for children ages 6-9 yrs. Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 6:05 to 6:50 p.m. 

All dance classes will be held at the Saratoga Springs Branch in the multipurpose room. 

LEGO CLUB:
Children meet once a week to find imaginative solutions to building challenges and spend time on their own Lego masterpiece. Lego Club will be held at the Wilton Branch on Thursdays. Ages 5-7 yrs. will meet from 4:15 to 5 p.m. Ages 1-10 yrs. will meet from 5 to 5:45 p.m. For more information, contact Kristi Savage at Kristi.savage@srymca.org or 518-583-9622 ext. 123. 

“FLAG!!!” Try Ice Fishing This Winter

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

Out of the corner of your eye you see it, a “tip up” has gone off and the flag sways back and forth a few times, before settling straight up in the air.

You hear someone shout, “Flag!!!!” The race is on to see who will get to it first and will have the chance at landing the fish of a lifetime. 

Ziehnert FLAGIceFishing2

There’s nothing quite like witnessing a monster fish come through a 6″ hole on a frozen lake. It’s the kind of moment that you can share at every family get together and can forever hold over your fishing buddies. The sport of Ice Fishing is a socially distant outdoor activity that you can try with your friends and family this winter.

Despite an unusually warm start to the winter season, some of our local lakes are beginning to freeze and for winter enthusiasts like me, that can only mean one thing: Ice Fishing. Like many other socially distant outdoor activities, Ice Fishing allows one to get outside during the gloomy and frigid winter months. It also presents a great opportunity for shore anglers and families that are without a boat during openwater months because once the ice is safe enough, all those places you couldn’t fish before are now accessible.

To get started with ice fishing, there are a few tips, tools, and guidelines that will ensure you are safe and can maximize your enjoyment on the ice. First and Foremost, I always recommend visiting the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website before you head out, where they list out guidelines, lake maps, and regulations on the different bodies of water in New York. You can also see which species are in each lake, so you know what you are targeting.

As a general safety guideline, to begin ice fishing and walking on the ice, it has been determined that you need at least 4″ of ice. Regardless of how much ice there is, there is never a guarantee that it is completely safe.The safest ice you can be on is referred to as “Black Ice,” which will have a clear blue/black appearance. Ice that’s white in color is weaker because of the processes in which it formed, so if you are going to walk on it, I recommend at least 6″ of white ice. Also, you want to be careful while getting on and off the ice, as shoreline ice is always shifting and can be weakened rapidly by rain.

The three ice safety tools I bring with me on every trip are Ice cleats, Ice Spikes, and a Spud Bar. Having traction is extremely important when you are doing anything on the ice, so by attaching ice cleats to the bottom of your boots, you can safely run to tip ups all day long. Next, I always recommend wearing a pair of Ice Picks around your neck. If you ever did fall in, you can stab the ice to pull yourself out. Then lastly, a Spud Bar allows you to test the integrity of the ice before you step on it. A spud bar is basically a 4-5′ piece of steel with a chisel on the end. The number of times you can strike the ice before the bar goes through lets you know if the ice is safe or not. For experienced ice anglers, three strikes tends to deem the ice safe to walk on, but I like to advise people to try and be on ice that can withstand four to five strikes. Most spud bars also have a loop in the top where you can tie a rope in case it slips out of your hands. I usually tie around ten feet of rope to my spud bar which would be useful in rescuing someone.

As far as fishing equipment goes, there’s a few things you can get that will have you catching fish immediately. Without overcomplicating anything, a good setup to get you started would be a hand auger, some tip ups, a jigging rod, a live bait bucket, and a sled to drag it all out there. Tip ups are one of the most efficient ways to catch fish through the ice because you can cover a bunch of water at once. They are normally plastic or wood, have a plastic spool full of line, and a flag to indicate when a fish has taken your bait. There is nothing more exhilarating than watching a tip up flag go up and racing your friends to get their first.

For current ice conditions I recommend calling Gary Ingles, owner of Wiggly Worm Bait Supply located at 885 Saratoga Rd, Ballston Lake. Wiggly Worm Bait Supply has been in the bait industry since 1932, and Gary will always go out of his way to make sure everyone has exactly what they need to hit the ice. For more store details you can visit Wigglywormbaitsupply.com

If you want to speed up the learning process, book a trip with Ziehnert Guide Service, where all rods, reels, bait, tackle, transportation, and heated ice shelters are provided. I am currently booking trips on Ziehnertguideservice.com and can accommodate up to eight people this season. Contact Drew Ziehnert  at Ziehnertguideservice.com, Ziehnertguideservice@gmail.com, and 518-390-0282.

Albert Lee’s Belated Birthday Bash at The Strand Theatre Jan. 15

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

HUDSON FALLS – The Strand Theatre and Mark Abodeely Productions kick off The Guitar Master Series on Saturday, Jan. 15, with the legendary Albert Lee Band and opening act The Strand House Band at 7:30 p.m. 

For over 6 decades Albert Lee has played with the biggest names in music including Eric Clapton, The Everly Brothers, The Crickets and more. 

The Strand House Band will perform songs by The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Eric Clapton and features Marc Clayton, Jonathan Newell, Alan Dunham, Ernie LaRouche and Michael Craner. 

Tickets are $35 and available by calling The Strand Theatre box office at 518-832-3484 or visiting www.mystrandtheatre.org.  Join us for Albert Lee’s Belated Birthday Party. 

The venue is located at 210 Main St. Hudson Falls. 

For more information, call 518-832-3484 or go to www.mystrandtheater.org . The Hudson River Music Hall, Productions, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit.

Radical Fiber: Threads Connecting Art and Science Opens at The Tang Jan. 29

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College presents Radical Fiber: Threads Connecting Art and Science, a new exhibition featuring historical artifacts and contemporary art that demonstrate the ways in which fiber craft techniques and materials have influenced and impacted scientific fields like mathematics, digital technology, medicine, and more. The exhibition runs Jan. 29 through June 12. 

Visitors will encounter works that span centuries and are made by artists, scientists, and mathematicians alike. 

A 15th-century Incan khipu-the oldest work on view-presents a system of cords, knots, and dyes that recorded local and state administrative information and narratives. Mathematician Daina Taimina’s Hyperbolic sketch, 2006, offers a crocheted representation of the mathematical theory of hyperbolic space; she was the first to create a functional model of this theory after more than a century of claims that such a feat was impossible. 

Artist Dario Robleto’s The Creative Potential of Disease, 2004, presents a Civil War-era doll that was made by an amputated Union soldier as a self-portrait as part of his recovery

The exhibition also features the Saratoga Springs Satellite Reef, a collaborative artwork made up of hundreds of crocheted corals created in the last year by amateur crafters and professional artists from the Capital Region and beyond. The reef installation is one of nearly 50 such satellite reefs created around the world as part of the Crochet Coral Reef project by Christine and Margaret Wertheim and the Institute For Figuring. 

The public reception will take place 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29. Admission to the museum is free. All visitors are required to show proof of vaccination and to wear masks. For more information, call the Visitors Services Desk at 518-580-8080 or visit tang.skidmore.edu. 

FIGGS Celebrates the Life of Josh Chambers on Local Stage Jan. 20

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Greenwich native and Skidmore College graduate Josh Chambers made a name for himself around Saratoga in the 1990s as both a musician, playwright and director. Chambers passed away Feb. 12, 2021 at the age of 45. 

Spa City born hometown rockers The Figgs will perform in a special tribute to the life and legacy of Josh Chambers, 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20. In-person tickets are $12.50-$25. Proof of vaccination is required for attendees.

For more information and a complete calendar of upcoming events at Caffe Lena, go to: caffelena.org. 

Opera Saratoga Announces New Summer Festival Model at Multiple Venues

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Opera Saratoga has announced a return to large scale performances this summer with a new festival model that embraces partnerships with multiple venues across the region. Those venues include: Proctors in Schenectady; The Egg in Albany; The Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs; The Round Lake Auditorium in Round Lake Village; The Barn at French Mountain in Lake George Village; and The Mansion Inn in Rock City Falls. 

At the heart of the 2022 Summer Festival will be performances of Rossini’s bel canto comedy The Barber of Seville on Proctors MainStage, as well as his Petite Messe Solennelle at The Round Lake Auditorium; Sky on Swings by Lembit Beecher and Hannah Moscovitch at The Egg, which explores the journey of two women living with Alzheimer’s disease; and Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway masterpiece, Sweeney Todd, on the Amphitheater Stage of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. 

Additional events will include A Broadway Cabaret at The Mansion Inn; A Juneteenth Celebration at Proctors’ GE Theater; and a series of master classes featuring members of Opera Saratoga’s Young Artist Program, to be announced. In addition, the 2022 Opera Gala will take place on Sunday June 5th at The Barn at French Mountain, in Lake George Village. 

“While our decision to expand our geographic footprint this summer was catalyzed by the need for renovations at The Spa Little Theater, where we have been performing since 1998, it has also been inspired by our increased activity across the region throughout the year,” said Opera Saratoga’s Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson, in a statement.

“We began asking: with so many remarkable theaters in our region, might we be able to better serve our mission by reconceiving our Summer Festival in a way that doesn’t limit us to a single venue? While we remain committed to producing in Saratoga Springs, as the opera company of the Capital Region, our goal is to provide access to our Summer Festival programming in the same way we are able to do with our year-round programs.” 

PETITE MESSE SOLENNELLE – June 2 and June 3 @ 7:30 p.m. Presented by Opera Saratoga in partnership with The Round Lake Auditorium.

A BROADWAY CABARET – June 12 @ 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Presented by Opera Saratoga in partnership with The Mansion Inn.

A JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION WITH SIDNEY OUTLAW – June 19 @ 2:30 p.m. Produced by Opera Saratoga in Partnership with Proctors.

SWEENEY TODD – THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET. June 29 and June 30 @ 7:30 p.m. Produced by Opera Saratoga in Partnership with the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

SKY ON SWINGS – July 7 @ 7:30pm and July 9 @ 2 p.m. Produced by Opera Saratoga in Partnership with The Egg. 

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE | IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA. July 8 @ 7:30 p.m. and July 10 @ 2 p.m. Produced by Opera Saratoga in Partnership with Proctors. 

Tickets for the 2022 Summer Festival will be available through Festival Passes and Single Tickets. Festival Passes, which provide a 20% discount on single ticket prices and priority seating for all productions and events, will be available beginning February 1. Single Tickets will go on sale March 15. 

Opera Saratoga’s 2022 Summer Festival is made possible in part with the support of the New York State Council on the Arts and the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. 

Audience members will be required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for all performances, and masks will be required based on prevailing conditions at the time of the Festival. 

Opera Saratoga, formerly known as Lake George Opera, began with a production of Die Fledermaus at the Diamond Point Theatre on July 5, 1962, playing to an audience of 230. The Company now calls Saratoga Springs home and performs for more than 25,000 people annually. For more information, visit www.operasaratoga.org 

Home Made Theater Awarded NY Grant

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Home Made Theater has been awarded $49,500 grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the recovery of the nonprofit arts and culture sector. 

Following New York State’s $105 million investment in the arts for FY2022, NYSCA has awarded more than $80 million since June 2021. 

“The arts have long been a critical sector in our economy, and as we continue to rebuild a stronger New York, it’s essential we do all we can help this industry thrive once again,” NY Gov. Kathy Hochul said, in a statement. “These awardees represent the best of what New York’s vibrant communities have to offer and with this funding in hand, they will be able to not only continue their creative and inspiring work, but help spur revitalization in their own backyard as well.”

Home Made Theater will use the funds to help fulfill their mission to enrich the cultural life of the Capital Region and beyond by offering a diverse range of locally sourced live theater created by professionally minded artists, providing the opportunity for exciting and rewarding participation in all aspects of theater to the community. 

“2022 will continue to bring change and Home Made Theater will play a vital role in the renewal of our state’s economy and creative ecosystem,” said Mara Manus, Executive Director, NYSCA.