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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Tang at Home Studio Schedule Announced for Fall 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announces the fall 2020 Tang at Home Studio series. This series will be conducted online to ensure the health and safety of our audiences and our staff. The Museum building is closed to the public for now, but we are open online to bring the Tang experience into your home. 

Tang at Home Studio gives kids the chance to explore their creativity, make new things, and share their artwork with peers online. 

Each session, which occurs every other Friday at 5 p.m. from Sept. 25 to Nov. 20, includes an at-home looking and exploration of an artwork, instructions for project preparation and a real-time online gathering, led by Sunny Ra.

How does it work?

On Monday morning of each week there is a session, and an opening up of registrations on the Tang Teaching Museum website. Then on Friday gather online via Zoom to discuss ideas about the artwork, engage in an art-making activity, and share creations. To ensure a fun sharing environment, registration is required. The live Friday sessions are best suited for kids ages 5-12 and a parent or guardian, but everyone is welcome.

Tang At Home Studio Schedule:
Session 1: September 25 Landscape of Discovery 
Session 2: Oct. 9 Self-Portrait Remix
Session 3: Oct. 23 Get Up and Move!
Session 4: Nov. 6 Art in Action. 
Session 5: Nov. 20 Future Visions.

The Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College is closed to the public, due to the coronavirus, but is open online. For updates, visit tang.skidmore.edu. 

For questions about this program, contact Tang Museum Educator Sunny Ra via email at sra@skidmore.edu.

Barack Obama Presidential Memoirs Set for November Release Northshire Bookstore Accepting Pre-Orders

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Northshire Bookstore has announced it is accepting pre-orders in advance of the Nov. 17 anticipated release of Barack Obama’s “A Promised Land.” 

The 768-page book signals the first volume of Obama’s presidential memoirs and covers a journey from his earliest political aspirations to the pivotal Iowa caucus victory and the watershed night of Nov. 4, 2008, when he was elected 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the nation’s highest office.

Reflecting on the presidency, Obama offers a unique and thoughtful exploration of both the awesome reach and the limits of presidential power, as well as singular insights into the dynamics of U.S. partisan politics and international diplomacy, and brings readers inside the Oval Office and the White House Situation Room, and to Moscow, Cairo, Beijing, and points beyond. 

The book is $45 and may be pre-ordered by visiting Northshire Bookstore Saratoga, located at 424 Broadway – the sore is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, or by visiting: northshire.com.

Equine Advocates to Honor Willie Nelson Virtual Gala & Telethon Saturday, Sept. 26

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

CHATHAM, NY — On Saturday, Sept. 26, Equine Advocates will present Willie Nelson with the 2020 Safe Home Equine Protection Award for his work and dedication to end the slaughter of America’s horses during a special online event to be broadcast on YouTube, Facebook and Equine Advocates website. Nelson will be the 19th recipient of this award, which was first given out in 2002. 

Nine-time Grammy Award-winning singer/song writer Sheryl Crow will be making an appearance during the broadcast with a special message for her good friend and fellow horse lover, Willie Nelson. They recently recorded the song, “Lonely, Alone” together. The music video for the song includes footage of Nelson with some of his rescued horses. 

Actress Ali MacGraw, who appeared in such iconic films as “Love Story,” “The Getaway” and “Goodbye Columbus,” will be presenting Andrea Eastman with the 2020 Equine Savior Award for her decades of work and activism on behalf of America’s wild and domestic equines.  Eastman, who had an illustrious 27-year career as a high-powered agent for ICM, was personally responsible for Robert Redford’s signing of the Voter Card in California in 1998 in support of the first state initiative in the nation to ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption. That initiative, “Prop 6” passed by more than 60% of the vote. 

 The program will be hosted by two-time Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress, Bebe Neuwirth, who was the recipient of the Safe Home Equine Protection Award in 2009. 

Artists also performing during this celebration and telethon include: Tom Chapin, The Gibson Brothers, Cathy Grier, Brooke Moriber, and Livingston Taylor. 

The broadcast will begin at 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. For more information, visit Equine Advocates website: www.equineadvocates.org and official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/equineadvocates.org/ for more details and updates. 

Equine Advocates, a national, non-profit equine protection organization based in Chatham, will be celebrating its 25th birthday on Feb. 27, 2021. Its mission is to rescue, protect and prevent the abuse of equines through education, investigation, rescue operations, the dissemination of information to the public and through the operation of a horse sanctuary for slaughter-bound, abused and neglected equines.

Rochmaniacs: We Hope Everyone Is Doing Well, Staying Safe and Sane!

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Providing spins to navigate through a COVID world, Spa City resident Chuck Vosganian, AKA Rochmon announces the newest episode of the Rochmon Record Club Pandemonium is up and running on the Rochmon Facebook page. 

Rochmon is joined by Syracuse singer songwriter Colleen Kattau and Guitarist Jane Zell of Dos XX and Jane Zell and the Zelltones for an hour of original bi-lingual music and conversation about the plight of immigrants and issues regarding the Latinx community. Kattau, a Professor of Spanish at SUNY Cortland and Vosganian discuss the realities of the invisible people who live among us. 

Rochmon Record Club Pandemonium is a one hour, live to tape, deep dive into a regional artist. The hour is filled with music, trivia, some unexpected laughs, and fun for the entire family.

A Mother’s Gift Given to Saratoga School

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — This week mothers who are residents at Prestwick Chase will be donating 75 plastic Adirondack chairs to the Saratoga Springs High School. John Rowe, director of marketing at Prestwick, said they had many chairs left over from their Mothers Day event this year and wanted a way to help out the school district. 

Stewart’s Shops and The Dake Family Support Franklin Community Center During COVID-19 Crisis

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Franklin Community Center is honored to have the support of Stewart’s Shops and The Dake Family a fund of The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Franklin Community Center is the recipient of a $6,000 grant that will be used to modify the reception area in order to accommodate new COVID-19 safety protocols.

“When the pandemic hit we were forced to close our office down to the public at the exact moment when our services were needed most.” states Executive Director, Kari Cushing. “Fortunately, the weather at that time of year allowed us to continue serving our less fortunate neighbors safely.” 

With the winter months quickly approaching and the requests for food only growing, the need to open the doors is getting closer and closer.  “With this generous grant from Stewart’s Shops and The Dake Family we will be able to reconstruct our reception area to comply with social distancing requirements and keep our clients, volunteers and staff safe and healthy” said Board President, Jason Lynch.

The generosity and compassion Stewart’s Shops and The Dake Family have shown this community over the years is truly unparalleled. The strong moral compass and commitment to the community from which their company has been built upon speaks volumes to the character of the Dake family. 

Franklin will continue to work hard to meet the needs as they change and exist in the community. For more information on the programs and services of Franklin Community Center please visit the website: www.franklincommunitycenter.org 

Saratoga Hospital Adds OB/GYN Physician

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dr. Catelyn Halusic-Smith has joined Saratoga OB/GYN, the obstetrics-gynecology practice that is part of Saratoga Hospital Medical Group.

She is the latest addition to a growing team of physicians, certified nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners who provide comprehensive women’s health services to patients from adolescence through the post-menopause years. Along with Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Midwifery & Women’s Health services, Saratoga OB/GYN supports Saratoga Hospital’s collaborative physician-midwife childbirth care model.

 “Dr. Halusic-Smith shares our commitment to patient-centered care and our fundamental belief that we can make a difference, one patient at a time,” said Dr. Amos Cutler, chair, Saratoga Hospital OB/GYN Department. “She is an excellent addition to a practice that has long been at the forefront of women’s health services in our region.”

Saratoga OB/GYN has been meeting women’s healthcare needs for 40 years, adding services and providers to keep pace with a growing community. Four physicians have joined Saratoga OB/GYN since 2018. Two practice members recently earned accreditation as Surgeons of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology, earning Saratoga Hospital the distinction of being Northeastern New York’s only Center of Excellence in that specialty.

Halusic-Smith earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine in Westbury, New York. She completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, New York.

Halusic-Smith sees patients in Saratoga Springs and Malta. For an appointment, call 518-587-2400. To learn more, go to www.saratogaobgyn.org.

Wellspring’s Annual Pooch Parade Set for October 16-18 Virtually

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In the interest of keeping the community safe, including pets, Wellspring is hosting their annual Pooch Parade virtually this year, on Oct. 16, 17, and 18.

This annual event raises awareness and funds for Wellspring’s Safe Pet Partnership Program, which assists victims of domestic violence by providing safe, temporary placement of family pets through a network of volunteer pet “foster homes” while our clients transition to safe housing. 

Abusers often use the love victims have for their pets as a control tactic, or even directly abuse the pets. Sometimes, victims of domestic violence will stay in an abusive situation out of fear of what might happen to their pets if they leave them behind. 

This year, instead of gathering to parade around Congress Park we are inviting community members and their pooches to register online with Wellspring and then plan a walk around their neighborhood, park, home on October 16, 17, or 18. For more information about how this year’s event will work and to register please visit www.wellspringcares.org/pooch-parade. 

Wellspring sends a big thank you to this year’s presenting sponsor, Benson’s Pet Center and honorary sponsor Adirondack Veterinary Clinic for supporting Wellspring’s 2020 Virtual Pooch Parade.

All donations made by participants in the Pooch Parade during registration directly benefit Wellspring’s programs and services. Participants can also register by mailing a check, made out to Wellspring, to their address at 480 Broadway LL20 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. 

Movies in the Pumpkin Patch

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SCHUYLERVILLE — The Salvation Army and The Washington County Fairgrounds are hosting movies in the Pumpkin Patch: three nights of drive-up family fun movies projected onto four of the world’s largest inflatable movie screens. All the fun will take place at the Washington County Fairgrounds parking area located at 392 Old Schuylerville Rd., Greenwich.

The movies will begin Columbus Day weekend starting at 7 p.m. each night. The fairground gates will open at 4:30 for interested parties. The showings include Jurassic Park on Friday, Oct. 9, Hotel Transylvania on Saturday, Oct. 10 and Ghostbusters on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Tickets are $20 per vehicle for general admission. Premium vehicle parking passes for first two rows from the screen along with discounts for multiple night parking passes are available at app.mobilecause.com/e/HlEh2A?vid=bc536 or on the Facebook page of The Salvation Army of Glens Falls or the Washington County Fair Grounds 

Face masks will be required by all participants when not in vehicle or assigned vehicle space. The fairground parking area contains acres of open space and we have four enormous screens to show movies to allow ample room for safe distancing. 

Vehicles will be parked more than six-feet from each other in each row, while each row separated by more than 14 feet. Movie-goers will be allowed the space to the driver’s side of their vehicle only for outdoor viewing. Every other row will be staggered so each vehicle will have unobstructed view of screen. 

The event is the first one of its kind organized by the Salvation Army’s newly formed Doing the Most Good Events team.  Event sponsors have the unique opportunity to partner with the Salvation Army to bring the community together in an event designed to offer a message of hope and unity during an unprecedented time. To help sponsor event please go to app.mobilecause.com/e/HlEh2A?vid=bc536 or contact leo.lloyd@use.salvationarmy.org.

Autumn Discovery Walk at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

WILTON — Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is encouraging people to get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather by hosting an Autumn Discovery Hike on Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. on the trails of the Neilmann Parcel. 

On the nature walk participants will learn about the transformative autumn months and how plants and animals adapt and prepare for the winter season. The walk covers about a mile of gently rolling terrain and will not take place if there is rain. Interested parties will meet at the kiosk at Neilmann Parcel, located off of Ruggles Road. Face masks are expected to be worn for the duration of the entire program and registration is required. 

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will also offer a new program for kids. Kids Yoga At Delegan Pond is a flow style yoga class geared towards children of elementary age and up. Hosted by certified instructor Lauren Winkler, this program is happening on Monday, Oct. 5 from 12 to 1 p.m. All you need to bring is your mat (or towel) and water. Adults are expected to attend with their children and are also welcome to participate with them.

Face masks are expected to be worn throughout the duration of the program. Participants should park in Parking Lot #1 located on Scout Road, town of Wilton. This parking lot is directly across from Delegan Pond where the program will be taking place.

For more information or to register for either programs, please contact the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org.  For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the Preserve & Park’s website at www.wiltonpreserve.org  The Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is a non-profit organization that conserves ecological systems and natural settings while providing opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation.