Author: Saratoga TODAY

MALTA — The GLOBALFOUNDRIES – Town of Malta Foundation was established to fund programs and projects that provide tangible benefits of a public nature to the community and citizens of the town of Malta.   

The Foundation is now accepting grant applications for its next round of funding. Complete grant applications must be received by the Board by Nov. 6, 2020, and grants will be announced and awarded in December. 

Applications may be submitted electronically or downloaded and mailed. 

Criteria: Applications will be accepted only from not for profit entities. Grants will be awarded only upon demonstration to the Board’s satisfaction that the grant will result in a clear benefit to the Community and Citizens of Malta. 

• Organizations based in Malta are strongly encouraged to apply; however, applications are welcome from any qualifying organization intent on contributing to the mission and meeting these criteria.

• Applications that leverage grant funding to achieve maximum benefit are preferred.

• Use of funds directly in the town of Malta is favored; however any use of funds with demonstrable benefits to the Community and Citizens of Malta will be considered.

• Applications supporting under-served segments of the community
encouraged.

Online submittal is preferred.  Application may also be submitted by mail. Emailed applications are not accepted. For more information and to download application, search online at: GlobalFoundries – Malta Foundation. Mailing address is GLOBALFOUNDRIES-Malta Foundation, P.O. Box 2914, Malta, NY, 12020

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Subaru recently donated $25,000 to support renovations to Saratoga Hospital’s William J. Hickey Women’s Health Services unit and help get babies and families off to a healthy start.

The gift, which was presented Oct. 2, is the dealership’s second significant contribution for the mother/baby unit project. Last year, Saratoga Subaru donated $18,444, for a combined gift of $43,444.

“These contributions from Saratoga Subaru will help us provide families and babies with the best possible birth experience,” said Angelo Calbone, Saratoga Hospital president and CEO. 

Both gifts are funded by Subaru of America’s annual Share the Love Event. During the holiday season, Subaru of America “shares the love” by donating $250 for each new Subaru that’s purchased or leased at a participating dealer—in this case, Saratoga Subaru, which is part of Mackey Auto Group.

The mother/baby unit renovations include updates to patient rooms and the family waiting area; new diagnostic testing, exam and treatment rooms; a remodeled nursery, including exam and treatment space; and new, larger staff support space.

Dr. Jennifer Lefner, chair of the Department of Pediatrics and chief of newborn medicine at Saratoga Hospital, emphasized the impact of the renovations—and Mackey Auto Group’s generosity—on families during an emotional, memorable time.

“As a neonatologist and a mom, I know that childbirth can be stressful and anxiety producing—and that the environment in which these momentous life occasions occur can and does impact the patient experience,” she said. “Mackey Auto Group has shared the love with Saratoga Hospital so that our patients can share their love in a modern, tranquil and comfortable space from the moment they arrive.”

LOS ANGELES — Pollstar recently announced the results of The Pollstar and VenuesNow 2020 State of the Industry Survey. 

The organization calls it the largest live industry study of its kind, with more than 1,350 live industry professionals – from venue management and, promoters/talent buyers to production and concert support services and performers, among others, polled on three primary subjects. 

These areas included how the live industry is managing during the pandemic and economic crisis; what the industry’s comeback will look like; and social issues, inclusivity, and diversity within our industry. 

 The survey yielded data including critical insights into the current state of the industry, a road map for recovery, a mandate for greater diversity and far more. 

Highlights of the survey include:

• More than half of all venue respondents, 54.8%, believe the industry will return “to full capacity” in 2021.
• 75.2% responded that they do not believe the government “has given proper consideration to the plight of the sports and live entertainment industry as compared to other impacted industries such as airlines, hotels, restaurants/retail.”
• Approximately 60% say they would personally embark on a tour or work a show now if health guidelines are followed (17.6% of those would work unconditionally).
• More than 80% expect an increase in cashless/touchless technologies.
• More than 72% of respondents expressed “concern about their company’s ability to survive COVID-19.”

Nearly half of those responding said they have received some sort of government assistance during the pandemic. Indicative of their love for this industry, more than half said they have not considered leaving the live entertainment business and less than 3% have embarked on a new career outside of live. More than half believe the industry can do better in terms of racial/cultural diversity, but less than 11% believe the industry has done a “terrible job” in this regard.

More survey information may be viewed at the Pollstar 2020 State of the Industry Survey hub at: www.pollstar.com/article/2020-state-of-the-industry-survey-results-a-transformational-moment-146514.