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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Stefanik Named to China Task Force

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, NY-21, has been named to Leader Kevin McCarthy’s China Task Force, aimed at working on policies to hold China accountable for its coverup of the initial spread of COVID-19, which originated in Wuhan, according to a statement issued by Stefanik’s office. Stefanik is one of 15 members of Congress on the Task Force. 

“The Communist Party of China intentionally withheld critical information on the spread of COVID-19 that could have saved thousands of lives,” said Stefanik, in a statement. “To this day, China continues to spread misinformation regarding this health crisis. The Communist Chinese Government must be held accountable. I appreciate Leader McCarthy naming me to the China Task Force and am looking forward to getting
to work.”

May Day Online

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Be part of a community of neighbors helping neighbors at the 31st Annual May Day. This year’s event has been re-imagined and the program will be streamed virtually for the first time. Everyone can tune in. 

The program will include a welcome from Honorary Co-Chairs Kate Calbone, Tamie Ehinger and A.C. Riley. It will also feature the presentation of the 2020 Community Recognition Award to Skidmore College President Philip Glotzbach and Marie Glotzbach.

The evening will conclude with stories of impact brought to you by EOC staff, volunteers and board members that highlight the difference we can make when we work together as a community. 

The program will stream on the Saratoga County EOC and the EOC website on May 21 from 6 – 7 p.m. There are no tickets as it’s by donation only. Proceeds benefit Saratoga County EOC, a local nonprofit helping neighbors in need. 518-288-3206 or saratogaeoc.org/maydayonline for more information. 

New Virtual Fitness Studio Launches May 18

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — TBT87, “the new virtual fitness studio that ALWAYS feels like home” launches on Monday, May 18. It is the collaboration between area fitness leader Mary Anne Fantauzzi and two of her longtime instructors Renee Hostetler and Sharyn Kalinkewicz. 

Fantauzzi’s Total Body Trifecta, Inc. studio taught its last live class in mid-March at its Ballston Spa satellite within My Gym Fitness Center. When the pandemic closed all gyms on Monday, March 16, she and the gym’s group fitness participants faced the uncertainty of when they’d be able to resume classes.

Hostetler, also known as Kindermusik’s Miss Renee, suggested Zoom fitness classes as a possible interim solution. One week later, the trio started teaching free classes via Zoom without pay.  Their original free class end date was April 15, then April 30 and finally May 15 as the number of participants grew from 8 to over 100.  Former members from as far away as Virginia and Florida returned as regulars. 

The virtual class vibe when Gallery View appeared was both joyful and grateful as loyal fitness friends were reunited on screen. “The beginning of each class feels like Norm entering Cheers and the end of class like ‘Goodnight, Jonboy” of the Waltons. It felt like home in more ways than one”, Fantauzzi commented.

And so, TBT87 was created, its name honoring the “fitness family feeling” of Total Body Trifecta’s location at 87 Church Street in Saratoga Springs. Because of the burden of tough economic times, Fantauzzi brought back the original class card price of ten classes for $40 with no expiration date.

Although virtual classes are no substitution for the feeling of live workouts inside the expansive My Gym studio, Fantauzzi and her collaborators believe TBT87’s virtual class schedule can co-exist once they return to the gym setting by offering options to those who prefer to workout at home, at the gym or a combination of both. 

For more information about TBT87 and other Total Body Trifecta, Inc. offerings, visit totalbodytrifecta.com or the Mare at Trifecta Facebook page.

Times Union Virtual Job Fair

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

ALBANY — The Times Union and partners are hosting a virtual job fair from May 11 to May 25. Through this site, you can have access to all of the vendors at a physical job fair, but on your own time and from the comfort of your home. Schedule interviews with several different companies via a video conference line. Post your resume directly to the companies that you have interest in, or give it to all of the companies that attend.

Funding is Still Available for Small Veteran Owned Businesses

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

WATERVLIET — There are a number of resources available to veteran owned businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, including the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which still has over $100 billion available in funding. 

The local Arsenal Business and Technology Partnership’s Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC) in Watervliet has staff and resources to help veteran business owners navigate the intricacies of qualifications and applications. 

The PPP has supported more than 1.66 million small businesses and protected over 30 million jobs for hard working Americans. With the additional funds appropriated by Congress, tens of millions of additional workers will benefit from this critical relief. 

 “We’re here to help small, veteran owned businesses and entrepreneurs every day, but when something like this pandemic happens, those businesses need our help more than ever,” said Amy Amoroso, Director VBOC Region II. “No one could have predicted that businesses would be impacted the way they’ve been, so we want to make sure we’re reaching out to everyone who may need our services. During the past 60 days, over 9,700 clients and stakeholders received counseling or participated in one of our 25 training events.” 

If small veteran owned businesses are looking for assistance with any EIDL or PPP applications, they are encouraged to reach out to Amy Amoroso at 518-326-5522 or aamoroso@arsenalpartnership.com. 

The Arsenal Partnership’s Veterans Business Outreach Center is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Associations’s Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD). The OVBD exists to help veterans become full partners in economic development through small business ownership. You can visit their website at www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/ovbd. 

For more information on the VBOC program, visit www.vbocregion2.com. 

May 9 – May 15, 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Police Blotter.

Emily Baxter, 33, of Slingerlands, was charged May 4 in Saratoga Springs with grand larceny in the third-degree. 

Daijon Griffin, 23, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 5 with unlawful possession of marijuana. 

Antonio Quesada. 55, of Saratoga Springs, was cited May 5 for trespassing. 

Matthew Stephens, 19, of Saratoga Springs, was cited May 5 with unlawful possession of marijuana. 

Daniel Catone, 20, of Ballston Spa, was charged May 5 in Saratoga Springs with felony criminal contempt/ violating order of protection, and criminal obstruction of breathing – a misdemeanor. 

Grant Smith III, 51, of Menands, was charged May 6 in Saratoga Springs with felony criminal mischief, and misdemeanor petit larceny. 

James Hamel, 61, of Gansevoort, was charged May 6 in Saratoga Springs with felony burglary and criminal mischief – a misdemeanor. 

Jason McMahon, 42, of Saratoga Springs, was cited May 7 for trespassing.

Lonnie Harrington, 57, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 7 with menacing in the second-degree, and criminal possession of a weapon – both misdemeanors. 

Community Development Applications Reopen for 2020 – Deadline is May 22

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Community Development Department is reopening applications for the 2020 CDBG Program Year. Available funding for this program remains unchanged at $315,491. In addition, the City has been allocated additional funding by HUD through the CARES Act to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic. This CDBG-CV funding totals $181,629, and must be used for COVID-19 related activities benefiting the low-moderate income population.

Applications for these funding sources will be accepted via the city’s website until noon on May 22, 2020. 

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, created in 1974, has as its goal the development of viable urban communities through housing, economic development, elimination of slums and blight, expansion of community services and neighborhood revitalization.

The city of Saratoga Springs receives an annual allocation of federal funds based on a formula that takes into consideration total population, population change, age and condition of housing stock, and poverty.

The primary objective of the CDBG program is to benefit persons of low and moderate income. By federal regulation, the city must allocate at least 70% of its annual CDBG funding on activities that benefit persons of low and moderate income, households, and neighborhoods.

The CDBG program is administered locally by the Saratoga Springs Office of Community Development. 

In light of the developing needs arising from the current pandemic, the city is re-opening applications for the 2020 Entitlement Program Year and has been allocated additional funding (CDBG-CV) through the CARES Act to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic. CDBG-CV funding essentially follows all the same eligibility requirements of traditional CDBG Entitlement funding. However, the CARES Act allows for unlimited COVID-19 related pre-award costs, but reimbursement of eligible costs is only applicable for new CDBG-CV funding and does not apply to 2019 or 2020 funds. 

Joan Helene (Carpenter) Izzo 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

MECHANICVILLE — Joan Helene (Carpenter) Izzo joined her husband, Daniel (Trooper) Izzo in heaven on Sunday, May 10, 2020. She was born on October 23, 1929 in Stillwater. Due to current circumstances, the family will be having a private service. Memorial donations to www.communityhospice.org. Visit burkefuneralhome.com.

Patricia Kathryn Reed

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Patricia Kathryn Reed, MA, NP, APRN, BC, 78, passed away peacefully at home on May 11, 2020. Pat will be laid to rest at Ballston Spa Village Cemetery. Services are private. Memorial donations to Redemptorists Fathers, redemptorists.net or The Capuchin Soup Kitchen, at thecapuchins.org. Visit burkefuneralhome.com.

Cynthia Anna (McKeown) Fones

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

ALBANY — Cynthia Anna (McKeown) Fones, 66, formerly of Saratoga Springs passed away on May 6, 2020. Services were private with burial in the family plot at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Memorial donations to The American Diabetes Association or The American Heart Association. Visit burkefuneralhome.com.