SARATOGA SPRINGS —3,000 toys and $8,000. No, it’s not Santa’s workshop budget. These are the goals set for the 11th annual Toys for Toga holiday drive. Now through December 10, new and unwrapped toys can be donated to more than 80 participating businesses in Saratoga County. 100 percent of the donations will be split evenly between the Franklin Community Center, CAPTAIN Community Home Services, and the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center.     

For participating locations, visit www.toysfortoga.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A century ago, Calvin Coolidge was president, the first pitch was thrown at Yankee Stadium, and a man named Charles “Jake” Jacobsen entered the rug business.

Jacobsen Rugs celebrates its 100th anniversary in November. According to President Frank Asef, a ribbon-cutting ceremony is in the works for the Jacobsen showroom at 543 Broadway in downtown Saratoga. The store’s entire inventory will be 35 percent off through December 16 to mark the occasion.

Asef said that Saratoga customers favor traditional over modern rugs, especially designs from India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Afghanistan. “We get a lot of customers from Lake George. We sell a lot of the big sized rugs.” 

Although it’s been nearly 100 years since Jake Jacobsen founded the company, his memory still looms large over the current owners. “I love him,” Asef said of the company’s founder. “I didn’t get the chance to meet him but he is in my heart.” 

According to Jacobsen Rugs, founder “Jake” Jacobsen served in World War I and met a superior officer who introduced him to Middle Eastern rugs. Upon returning home, Jake opened his first rug store in downtown Syracuse. Before long, duty called once again and he saw action in World War II. He fought in the Italian campaign, and was among the first Americans to enter liberated Rome. 

He first purchased Turkish rugs abroad in 1932, then later journeyed across Europe and the Middle East to find more rugs to sell in the States. When abroad, he bought rugs directly from rugmakers.

Over the last century, more than 100,000 handwoven rugs have been sold by Jacobsen Rugs. In 1990, the Saratoga location opened and has been selling rugs from around the world ever since. 

For more about Jacobsen Rugs visit jacobsenrugs.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — KaffeeHouse Saratoga has announced its latest creation, a range of muffins combining locally-sourced ingredients with recipes that celebrate the culinary culture of Saratoga Springs.

The menu features a choice of flavors, from Sundried Tomatoes with Spinach to options like bacon and egg. Crafted with a focus on quality and nutrition, these muffins are designed to accompany KaffeeHouse Saratoga’s coffee and specialty beverages, or as an on-the-go meal or snack option particularly fit for the drive-through.

“Creating these savory muffins was a labor of love, inspired by the diverse and vibrant culinary culture of Saratoga Springs. We’re excited to share our newest creations with our loyal customers and newcomers alike,” said Marcus Solga, owner of KaffeeHouse Saratoga, in a press release.

The new savory muffin line is now available at KaffeeHouse Saratoga. Visit their website at www.kaffeehousesaratoga.com for more information and to explore the complete menu. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Another marijuana dispensary has received approval from the Saratoga Springs City Planning Board, with an application filed by Reverie 73 NY, LLC receiving 4-0 approval from the Board for a permanent special use permit on Oct. 12 on the condition the Board review and approve a site plan.

The dispensary would be located at 1 Kaydeross Ave West, according to documents filed with the Planning Board. The location is currently home to PJ’s BAR-B-QSA, and is owned by Davis Restaurants, LLC. Filed site plans for the site show the dispensary and a parking lot to be constructed just behind the PJ’s building, replacing a single-family home, with entrances to the parking lot off Kaydeross Ave and US-9. 

A project narrative states that Reverie 73 currently operates recreational dispensaries in Massachusetts. Their website lists a current location in Lowell, and two other locations yet to be opened in Gloucester and Beverly.

The dispensary’s planned hours of operation would be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days per week, the narrative states. Orders would be placed through both walk-ins and scheduled appointments.

The narrative also says that “significant greenspace” would be added between the two buildings on the property.

The approval comes just over a month after the Planning Board had also approved a temporary special use permit application for a dispensary called Saratoga Cannabis Co., located at 95A West Ave, on Sep. 7.

A special use permit application for another dispensary was set to be presented at the Board’s meeting on Oct. 26, which ended after press time. Located at 75 Weibel Ave, the applicant is Excelsior Cannabis, LLC of Cohoes. The property is owned by Tara Stone, according to filed plans.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Veterans Business Council of The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce has announced it will host its annual breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs. 

The morning will feature a keynote by local veteran, author, and artist Ryan Smithson, and is open to all to attend. Registration is $25 per person, according to a press release from the Saratoga County Chamber. Proceeds will benefit the programs and mission of the Veterans Business Council.

 Smithson’s keynote, War, Writing and Butterflies, will discuss his military service in Iraq and how a college writing assignment turned into therapy and a published memoir. Smithson was an engineer in the Army Reserve and served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005. He fortified military posts, repaired roads, and convoyed supplies across northern and western Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the release states.

Upon returning, and for therapeutic reasons, he wrote a memoir, “Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI.” He earned an MA in English from SUNY Albany, and currently works in State Government Sales for T-Mobile, according to the release.

“This annual event presents an outstanding networking opportunity, while simultaneously championing the mission of the Veterans Business Council,” stated Jason Collins, Chair of the Veterans Business Council of The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, in the release. “I am thrilled for our attendees to hear about Ryan’s inspiring story and the profound impact creativity has had on his life.”

The event is open to all with advance registration, which is available online at saratoga.org.