Skip to main content

Author: Saratoga TODAY

Saratoga Hospital Recognized for Maternity Care

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital has been named a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

The Distinction Center designation, from BlueShield of Northeastern New York, is reserved for programs that meet rigorous standards for quality, patient safety and outcomes. Criteria were expanded in 2020 to include efforts to prevent or treat maternity-related conditions, reduce the rate of cesarean section deliveries, and address racial and ethnic disparities in maternal healthcare.

“Blue Distinction affirms our unwavering commitment to high-quality, patient-centered maternity care,” said Dr. Amos Cutler, chair, of Saratoga Hospital’s OB/GYN Department, in a prepared statement. “The designation affirms what so many of our patients already know—that you can count on Saratoga Hospital to take great care of you and your baby.”

 The hospital has adopted a collaborative physician-midwife model of care that reflects best practices. Certified nurse midwives perform most routine vaginal deliveries, with OB/GYN physicians always available. The model helps ensure that, as much as possible, families have the experience they want during childbirth. 

 For more information about the Blue Distinction program and a list of designated facilities, visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.

Gallagher and Cool Insuring Agency, Inc. Extend Partnership with Glens Falls Arena Through 2025

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

GLENS FALLS — Gallagher, a global insurance and risk management brokerage firm, this wek announced it would join Cool Insuring Agency, Inc. in its support of the Glens Falls Arena, and extend its naming rights through 2025. The agreement comes following an announcement in December that Gallagher acquired Queensbury-based Cool Insuring Agency, Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“A key part of growing Gallagher’s business is to work with people and organizations like Cool Insuring Agency who share our common values of ethics, integrity, service and community enrichment,” said Bob Crandall, Area President for Gallagher in Albany, in a prepared statement. “We can’t think of a better way to support the upstate New York community than by serving as a steward of the Arena, and we are excited to be part of its deep roots in Glens Falls.”

The 4,794-seat multi-purpose arena located in downtown Glens Falls currently serves as the home of a minor league hockey team and also hosts a 7,335 square foot banquet facility called Heritage Hall. While currently closed due to restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Arena will continue to host popular local activities including tractor pulls, concerts, public skating, indoor walking and more to the upstate community.

Cool Insuring Agency, Inc. was founded in 1857 by Charles W. Cool, the first mayor of the city of Glens Falls and has served the community for the past 150 years. The partnership extension will include the naming rights to the Arena, which was officially named Cool Insuring Arena in 2018.

“We have developed a great relationship with Cool Insuring over these past few years as our naming rights partner, and we are thrilled that Gallagher wanted to extend our partnership,” said Jeff Mead, General Manager for Cool Insuring Arena. 

Harris Beach Relocation in Saratoga Springs

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs office of Harris Beach PLLC is relocating to larger office space in the city’s historic Broadway district to accommodate sustained growth in the region. Harris Beach attorneys and staff are now seeing clients at 513 Broadway, in accordance with proper social distancing guidelines and masking requirements.

The move is part of continued expansion for Harris Beach across multiple practice areas and industry groups. The firm employs 30 attorneys in the Albany-Saratoga Capital Region, up from 19 attorneys just 3 years ago.

The Harris Beach team provides counsel to clients in the public, private and non-profit sectors across the Albany-Saratoga corridor, the Hudson Valley and the North Country, and also supports a range of community organizations and charitable efforts.

“At this challenging time, we are excited to re-invest in the Saratoga community,” said John McManus, office managing partner, Harris Beach Capital Region, in a statement. “We have deep roots here and continue to expand our full-service capabilities to meet the needs of clients in the region and across New York State.”

Founded in 1856, Harris Beach and its subsidiaries provide legal and professional services to clients across New York state, as well as nationally and internationally. For more information, go to www.harrisbeach.com. 

Two Deputy Sheriff’s Recognized for Life Saving Efforts

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — Deputies Eddie Hernandez and Jeffrey Kaplan were presented the Life Saving Award and Meritorious Service Award by Sheriff Michael Zurlo this week for their decisive action to save the lives of the two residents who were in immediate peril.

On Jan. 28, members of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office responded to an EMS assist call from a resident in the town of the town of Halfmoon.  It was reported that the two residents of a home on Oakleaf Drive had lost consciousness for unknown reasons.  When arriving, the deputies were met with a strong noxious odor from the residence and immediately located the two residents of the home who are both in their 60’s and who were having difficulty maintaining consciousness. The female resident was carried from the second floor of the residence outside by Deputy Jeffrey Kaplan and the male resident was dragged from the first floor to the outside by Deputy Eddie Hernandez. 

Both subjects were treated at the scene by EMS personnel and transported to Samaritan Hospital.  It was later determined that both had suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning due to an issue in the residence.  Both are expected to make a full recovery. 

“I have no doubt that the decisive action taken by these two deputies saved the lives of both of these residents,” Sheriff Zurlo said, in a statement. Both deputies will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony to take place later this year. 

Tonko Selected for Major Climate-Focused Committees

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

WASHINGTON, DC — House leaders announced this week that Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) has been selected to serve on three major climate committees in the House. Anchored by his key leadership role as Chair of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change, Tonko will also serve on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee and House Committee on Natural Resources. 

These appointments position Tonko, one of just a small handful of engineers in Congress, to continue leading Congressional efforts to build national climate action and advance climate-driven legislation through Congress. 

“America is at a crossroads. We can double down on the economic and environmental stagnation of the past or we can seize this moment to build back better and make ourselves a global leader in clean energy innovation, environmental and labor standards, and a new flowering of prosperity in communities all across America,” said Tonko, who represents the 20th Congressional District, including a majority of the city of Saratoga Springs. 

Wear Red & Give

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

ALBANY — Despite the devastating toll of COVID-19, heart disease remains the #1 cause of death in the U.S and worldwide, and the leading cause of death among women. One in three women die of heart disease.   

February is Heart Heart Month. On Friday, Feb. 5, National Wear Red Day, the American Heart Association is urging everyone to wear red to raise awareness about the devastating effects of heart disease in women. 

Heart disease and stroke can affect a woman at any age. In fact, nearly 45% of women age 20 and older are living with some form of heart disease, however, new data suggests Gen Z and Millennial women are less likely to be aware that heart disease is their greatest health threat. Women can often have different symptoms of heart disease than men. They can have crushing chest pain and arm numbness, but can also have pain in the shoulders and back, gastrointestinal distress and fatigue. 

Throughout the Capital Region and across the nation, people will be wearing red on Wear Red Day and during the month of February. As they do every year, many companies will illuminate their buildings red to raise awareness. People will also donate at GoRedforWomen.org, where information about going red is also available. People wearing red can share photos of themselves on their social media sites, with the hashtag #GoRed or #WearRedandGive.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access in the Arts : SPAC Adds New Programs for February

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

 SARATOGA SPRINGS — In the month of February, Saratoga Performing Arts Center adds three new programs to its virtual Learning Library that further its mission to promote inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in the arts. 

Created to bring free original arts educational content to students, families and educators at a time when in-school classes are often not feasible due to the pandemic, the SPAC Learning Library has collaborated with more than 25 professional regional musicians and dancers including Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company and Caroga Arts Collective, as well as summer resident companies New York City Ballet, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and The Philadelphia Orchestra. 

SPAC’s Learning Library will offer new programming including lessons in Stepping and South African Gumboot Dancing, wheelchair-accessible dance lessons and a new series of music lessons that guide children through the beginning stages of learning an instrument. 

In 2019, SPAC’s free education programs reached more than 49,000 young individuals, offered more than 400 classes, presentations, performances, and events, and partnered with more than 120 schools and non-profit organizations across the greater Capital Region. 

To learn more about the programs, go to: www.spaclearninglibrary.org

Drive-Through Food Drive Feb. 11-13

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Mayor’s Office will host a drive-thru food drive at the Vanderbilt Avenue Recreation Center Feb. 11 – 13.

Under the direction of Mayor Meg Kelly, the food drive will benefit the Franklin Community Center and the Mother Susan Anderson Women & Children’s Emergency Shelter- (funded and operated by the Saratoga Springs Soul Saving Station Church. 

Contributions can be made at the Recreation Center at 15 Vanderbilt Ave. from 2 – 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11 & Friday, Feb. 12, and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 13. 

Visitors should enter the Rec Center parking lot from Vanderbilt Ave, and stop in the traffic circle near the back entrance. They may then exit their vehicle while wearing a face mask and place their donation in an available cart. A staff member from the Mayor’s Office will transport the donation inside. See poster for requested donation items.

Saratoga-Wilton Elks: Work In the Community; June Flag Day Rescheduled

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161 used approximately $500 of their Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to provide personal hygiene products to the Mother Susan Anderson House in Saratoga Springs. The Mother Susan Anderson House provides 12 beds for homeless women and children on an emergency basis. 

The Mother Susan Anderson shelter, named for one of the women who helped start the church in 1961, was once the parsonage and sits adjacent to the house of worship at the corner of Caroline and Henry streets. It can house between 12 and 17 people depending on how the rooms are set up. Unlike other shelters, there is no time limit on how long the clients can stay. It is often a last resort for women who violated the rules at another shelter or overstayed their welcome, the Rev. Sheila Byrd said. She interviews each woman who asks to stay.

The Elks also announced its Flag Day Parade, which was scheduled to take place June 12 has been rescheduled to take place on Sept. 11 this year. The 2021 parade theme will be “Honoring Our First Responders.” The Avant Garde Drum and Bugle Corps will again reunite and be a key participant in this year’s parade. 

CCE Equine Hosts Month-Long Virtual Horse Symposium

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — CCE Equine hosts its 2nd Virtual Horse Symposium over a three-week period in March. 

The program is offered for adult horse owners, business owners, and horse enthusiasts in the Capital Region and beyond. Last year, the Virtual Symposium had over 500 participants registered with 35-50 live participants at each class offered. New this year: a Family Fun Trivia Night. 

Classes will be held every Tuesday and Thursday for three weeks starting March 16 and ending April 1 . Topics include: Sound Development of Young Horses, An introduction to Liability Risks: New York’s Agricultural Tourism Act and Negligence in the Horse Industry, Equine Law: Legal Issues for Participants in the Horse Industry, and more. 

Each session will be hosted virtually via zoom at 7 p.m. In addition to the virtual classes, we have the option for participants to receive educational packets with resources for each presentation. 

Following the Virtual Horse Symposium a family-fun equine trivia night will be offered on April 2. Anyone can join this interactive virtual event. 

Questions about the event or CCE Equine? Contact Brieanna Hughes at bh548@cornell.edu, 518-885-8995. Registration for both of these events can be found online at:  pub.cce.cornell.edu/event_registration/main/events_landing.cfm?event=CCEEQUINE_241