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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Upcoming Scott Cook Benefit Concert at Caffe Lena

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Canadian Road poet Scott Cook is coming to the Caffe Lena stage on Sept. 29. From 7 to 9 p.m. Scott Cook sings with “his heart and soul,” providing uplifting and inspiring music to anyone who listens. He is “truly one of Woody Guthrie’s children” and a concert you can’t miss!

Caffe Lena, Youth2, and All Hands and Hearts hopes you will join them in-person for the concert; however, in-person ticket holders will also be provided with a complimentary livestream link upon request. If you are certain you will not be attending in-person, you are encouraged to buy a livestream ticket now so you can support Youth2 and enjoy the event from home. 

This concert will benefit Youth2 – Youth Helping Youth, a youth philanthropic group and All Hand and Hearts – Smart Response, an organization committed to effectively and efficiently addressing the immediate and long-term needs of global communities impacted by natural disasters. Youth2 is a field of Interest Fund formed under the guidance of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Youth2 seeks to encourage young people to participate in meaningful community service work. The participants of Youth2 serve on the Advisory Board and learn leadership and philanthropic skills. Youth2 helps to fund and give guidance to social action projects that are proposed, approved, and led by young people. Youth2 is also committed to connecting youth to already existing community service projects. 

In-person at Caffe Lena: Scott Cook Benefit Concert “Songs of Social Action & Social Justice” on Wednesday, Sept. 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. Ticket Link: www.eventbrite.com/e/youth-squared-presents-scott-cook-songs-of-social-action-social-justice-tickets-160013230881.

Live Stream Ticket Link Only: www.caffelena.tv/programs/live-scott-cook?categoryId=94013 

Saratoga Sponsor A Scholar Kicks Off Its 14th Year

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Sponsor A Scholar (SSAS) is accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year. SSAS is entering the 14th year of helping deserving high school students attend college. Applicants must be a sophomore attending Saratoga Springs High School and an engaged learner with a good attendance record and a desire to attend college. Students must also meet economic qualifications. 

Participating students will receive two Dell computers (one for high school and another for college) and will be assigned a mentor to assist with professional and life skills development. SSAS also pays for SAT and ACT prep courses, as well as school- related expenses such as school trips, prom tickets, club fees, yearbooks, caps and gowns, and even college deposits. SSAS will also cover the cost of college tours, cultural immersion trips, and social skills development. Participants will also receive $1,250 per semester for 8 semesters while attending college. 

Past participants have attended local community colleges as well as schools such as Brown, Columbia, Cornell, RPI, Skidmore, and all NYS colleges and universities. 

SSAS works with the Saratoga Springs High School Guidance Department. Students interested in applying to the Sponsor A Scholar program should contact Brandy Crary or Matt Nelson in the Guidance Department at the High School, 518-587-6690. The application deadline is October 28, 2021; teacher recommendations may be required. 

For more information on the Saratoga Sponsor A Scholar program or for more information on how to support the program, please contact Executive Director Cynthia Hollywood at 518-207-7682 or email cindyhollywood@gmail.com. 

Saratoga Independent School Hosts Kite & Flight Festival

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Independent School (SIS) has hosted its annual Kite & Flight Festival for many years. The greater Saratoga community has come to love this free, family event and will be even happier to know that it will be in-person on Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the SIS campus. SIS will comply with the health and safety measures put forth by New York State. All individuals, regardless of vaccination status will be asked to social distance and wear a mask when not eating. The event will be outside, rain or shine, with an open-air tent. This year’s Festival will provide local families the opportunity to embrace flight in a fun and creative way, with new and exciting activities, and delicious local food vendors. 

The festival will feature a hot air balloon on display (weather dependent), a climbing rock wall, flight-themed crafts, face painting, room to fly kites, DIY kites, kites and frisbees for sale, Kite & Flight swag for sale from Nourish Designs, nature trails, local food vendors such as Kaleidoscope Café, Jay’s Pizza, and Ben & Jerry’s, and so much more. The event is free to attend, and while many activities will be free, some will require a small fee. 

For more information about this year’s Kite & Flight Festival, please visit www.siskids.org/giving/kiteandflight.cfm 

Saratoga Hospital Earns “Age-Friendly Health System” Designation

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital has been designated an “Age-Friendly Health System – Committed to Care Excellence” for focusing on what matters most to geriatric patients and their families. 

An initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States, Age-Friendly Health Systems is part of a national movement to improve the health and healthcare of older adults. In New York, the initiative is supported by the Healthcare Association of New York State, which has launched the New York State Age-Friendly Health Systems Action Community. 

Saratoga Hospital earned the age-friendly designation by demonstrating that its approach to age-appropriate care is built on evidence-based practices, reduces harm, and emphasizes what matters most to patients and their families. 

“Hospital stays can be particularly stressful for older patients and their families,” said Dr. Mallory Otto, a geriatrician with Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Geriatric Care. “Our age-friendly designation affirms that patients can count on us to meet the needs of older individuals, taking into account their priorities and personal definitions of quality of life.” 

“That’s an important message – and a source of comfort – in a hospital like ours, where more than 55% of patients are 65 and older, and nearly one-third are ages 75 and older,” she added. 

Otto teamed up with Cindi Lisuzzo, Director of Care Management, to lead the multidisciplinary age-friendly effort at Saratoga Hospital. Michelle Little, Director of Nursing on one of Saratoga Hospital’s medical-surgical floors, also played a key role in implementing the age-friendly framework, which is built around four essential elements known as the 4Ms” 

What Matters: Know and align care with each older adult’s specific health outcome goals and care preferences including, but not limited to, end-of-life care and across settings of care.

Medication: If medication is necessary, use age-friendly medication that does not interfere with what matters to the older adult, mobility or mentation. 

Mentation: Prevent, identify, treat and manage dementia, depression and delirium. 

Mobility: Ensure that older adults move safely every day in order to maintain function and do what matters. 

Nationwide more than 2,200 organizations are recognized as Age-Friendly Health System participants. Of those, less then 30%  – including Saratoga Hospital – have attained the higher distinction of Age-Friendly Health Systems – Committed Care to Excellence. 

New Business Launches in Saratoga: Refresh. Post-Pandemic Self-Care Parties

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A new business has launched in Saratoga Springs, offering post-pandemic self-care parties to nourish and rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. It’s called Refresh. and its goal is to offer a wellness-centered option for bachelorette parties, baby showers, women’s retreats, corporate retreats, and rites of passage such as milestone birthday parties. 

The business is founded by energy, beauty, and mental health care expert Diane Palma. Palma is a Reiki II practitioner, and New York State and Florida licensed cosmetologist with a master’s degree in Community Counseling. She is certified by the National Wellness Institute in Workplace Wellness and worked for ten years as mental health clinical evaluator at Four Winds Saratoga. 

“Since 2013, I have been consciously transforming my life,” said Palma. “As a single parent of one college graduate and one college student, I also wanted to re-launch myself. 

Palma sold her house and quit her job of 21 years at Jean Paul Salon & Spa and moved to Saratoga Springs. She continues to work as a freelance celebrity hair and makeup artist and offers services at Lockettes The Salon in Ballston Spa. 

“My purpose for moving to this area was my natural attraction to the healing mineral springs. I immersed myself in the Saratoga Integrative Practitioners Network (SIPN) which opened so many doors for my personal development, self-discovery, and growth,” said Palma. “Now I would like to share the practices with others to educate them about self-care and mental health. I started Refresh. to help build back a cohesive community after we’ve all been in isolation for so long. It’s time to refresh ourselves.” 

Parties can be done in-person or virtually, and offer a menu of beauty, wellness, and energy workshops and services focusing on creative, physical, spiritual, financial, and social wellness. Possible options include how to make jewelry; painting classes; how to style hair, makeup, and nails; tours of the mineral springs and of Yaddo; massage; pilates; yoga; Reiki; sound healing; aromatherapy; and many more options. 

Parties start at $100 per person and can be booked online at www.refreshsaratoga.com 

Dr. Riju Banerjee Joins Saratoga Hospital Cardiology

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dr. Riju Banerjee has joined Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Cardiology. He is one of 11 providers in the growing practice. 

Banerjee is a member of the American College of Cardiology. He sees patients at Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Cardiology at 254 Church St., Saratoga Springs. Appointments are available by calling 518-886-5080.

Banerjee also provides cardiology consultation to inpatients and outpatients at Nathan Littauer Hospital. This service is provided by agreement with Saratoga Hospital in its capacity as affiliate of the Albany Med Health System. 

For more information on Saratoga Hospital and Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Cardiology, go to www.SaratogaHospital.org 

LifeGoal Investments: Financial Security at your Fingertips

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — There are new tools on the market to make investing more accessible, brought to you by a company that just launched here in Saratoga Springs.

Brothers Brett and Taylor Sohns left their careers on Wall Street, moved to Saratoga Springs along with family, and shifted focus to make investing easier for do-it-yourself investors. With a combined 25 years of experience, the Sohns brothers founded LifeGoal Investments to help individuals achieve their life goals through financial security and home ownership with easy-to-understand investment products.

On Sept. 9, the Sohns brothers officially launched LifeGoal Investments and its initial public offering for its first ever, patent-pending investment funds. Setting LifeGoal Investments apart from the rest is this patent pending investment process intended to help control volatility and manage risk, allowing people to invest in the stock market while focusing on their biggest expenses – home, children, and vacation. 

Their flagship product, the LifeGoal Homeowner Investment ETF (HOM), intends to help individuals responsibly invest and save for a future down payment on a home.

“This is the first one designed in the world – the first ever patent-pending Homeowner Investment right here in little old Saratoga Springs,” said Taylor. “You’ve got the potato chip that was invented here, and now you also have the Homeowner Investment.”

Read the full story on Saratoga Business Report www.saratogabusinessreport.com.

Daigle Cleaning Expands to Service Saratoga

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS/ALBANY — Daigle Cleaning Systems is looking to expand in the Capital Region and has taken the first steps to do so by acquiring Clean Care of Saratoga. 

Derek Foster, President and co-founder of Daigle Cleaning Systems, Inc. has roots in the Capital Region and is following in his family’s footsteps of entrepreneurship. Daigle Cleaning Systems opened in 2011, and with 2021 marking their 10-year anniversary, the company is looking to establish itself in the Saratoga area. 

Daigle Cleaning Systems has just recently acquired Clean Care of Saratoga, which will service Saratoga, Warren, and Schenectady counties. Clean Care of Saratoga will be branded under the Daigle Family of Companies and will operate with a similar model, offering the same services as Daigle Cleaning Systems. And, as their offices expand to areas outside of Albany, Daigle Cleaning Systems is looking to expand their workforce as well. 

“We are looking to move up the Northway,” said Foster. “We are hoping to expand quickly in the Saratoga and Malta area.” 

Read the full story on Saratoga Business Report www.saratogabusinessreport.com.

Property Transactions: September 11 – September 17, 2021

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

BALLSTON

Rodney Bower sold property at 153 Goode St to Duemler QualityHousing Enterprises LLC  for $575,000.

Darlene Bower sold property at 149 Goode St to Elizabeth Ann Realty LLC for $372,500.

Paula Rock sold property at 120 Lake Rd to Brian Lucas for $215,000.

BDC Cornerstone LLC sold property at 34 Anthony Place to Michael Gilbert for $285,788.

Raymond Baker sold property at 1 Main St to Sandra McMillian for $170,000.

Ashley Newsom sold property at 1 Howard St to Ginger McGehee for $242,500.

Hope Matis sold property at 161 Hop City Rd to Daphne Allen for $268,000.

Heritage Builders Group LLC sold property at 75 Cypress St to Heather Capitummino for $371,076.

Ballston Realty Assoc. sold property at Brookline Rd to BDC Holdings Inc for $270,000.

EWALGA LLC sold property at 1419 Route 50 and Brookline Rd to BDC Holdings Inc for $480,000.

BDC Cornerstone LLC sold property at 38 Anthony Place to Albert Singer for $313,250.

CORINTH

Thomas Howe sold property at 696 Main St W to Jonajul Properties LLC for $145,000.

Bayroot LLC sold property at Fox Hill Rd, Shore Rd, Davignon Rd to Upstate Vistas for $850,000.

GALWAY

Roy Hoag sold property at 7104 Woods End Rd to Stephen Hausmann for $305,000.

MALTA

David Zink sold property at 12 Olden Ct to Anna Gdowski for $531, 000.

Marylou Wheeler sold property at 171 Arrowwood Place to Matthew Barton for $204,4000.

Nicholas Mangino sold property at 134 Raylinski Rd to Adele Compton for $295,000.

William Griffin sold property at 41 Stony Point Rd  to Lisa Griffin for $675,000

Kwong Cheuk sold property at 11 Hearthwood Dr to Renee Klauss for $273,001.

Michael Gachowski sold property at 21 Rt 9P to Justin Hoin for $178,000.

Anthony Brown sold property at 47 Weston Way to Elizabeth Smith for $362,500

SARATOGA

Cerrone Construction LLC sold property at 206 Patriot Hill Dr to Lauren Montesano for $466,500.

Northeast Green Tech LLC sold property at 206 Patriot Hill Dr to Cerrone Construction LLC for $85,000.

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Scott Sullivan sold property at 16 Hathorn Blvd to Kevin Jock for $282,500

Leland Bishop sold property at 74 West Ave to Alexei Lareau for $400,000

Cecila Monaco  sold property at 3249 US Rt 9 to 3257 SB LLC for $513,200.

BGRS LLC sold property at 7 Stony Brook Dr to Stony Brook Springs LLC for $999,500.

James Jones sold property at 47 Ash St to Gerome Holdings Inc for $200,000.

John Amodeo sold property at 69 Van Dam St to Caitlin Cucchiella for $459,500.

Brady Boyer sold property at 2 Michael Dr to Dechun Tian for $430,000.

Oak Ridge Development LLC sold property at Monarda, OakRidge, Jenna Jo, Aurora to Beechwood Saratoga LLC for $720,000.

Jeffrey Byrne sold property at 23 Horizon Dr to Nicholas Collisson for $715,000.

77 Van Dam LLC sold property at 77 Van Dam #401 to David Harris for $443,800.

Scott Grimmett sold property at 30 Joseph St to Andrew Krouner for $1,050,000.

PABB Properties LLC sold property at 43 Allen Dr to 43 Allen Dr LLC for $240,000.

Gina Battoglia sold property at 92 Quevic Dr to AdrianShanti for $291,000.

WILTON

Allen Boxbaum sold property at 18 Cobble Hill Dr to Branden Marcus for $625,000.

David Dammer sold property at 71 Cobble Hill Dr to Paul Kane for $425,000.

Margaret Kohle sold property at 70 Cobble Hill Dr to Nancy Pollio for $527,500.

Suzanne Rowe sold property at 6 Donna Dr to John Schjott,Jr for $234,000.

John Burke sold property at 5 Seymour Dr to Gregory Smith for $585,000.

Shawn Dubois sold property at 12 Peabody Pl to Dennis Opp for $455,000.

Keith Wegner sold property at 10 Overlook Dr to Danielle Roberts for $565,000.

UDO: City Announces the Next Steps

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A fourth and final workshop was recently conducted to review opinions from the county and city Planning Boards, the public, and the Design Review Commission, pertaining to the proposed Unified Development Ordinance, or UDO. 

A UDO is a tool combining traditional zoning and subdivision regulations, along with other development standards for items such as design guidelines, storm water management, and signs and street standards into one, easy-to-read reference document. 

The council announced the next steps regarding the UDO. They include: Inputting the most recent changes and creating a “final-final” version for public released at the next City Council meeting, on Sept. 21; Hosting Public Hearings regarding the document on Oct. 5 and Oct. 19, with an anticipated vote to adopt the UDO on Nov. 16.