QUEENSBURY — Saratoga Hospital has added space and services at the former Adirondack Urgent Care center, which is now known as Saratoga Hospital Urgent Care – Adirondack.

 Patients have easy access to urgent care—no appointment necessary—from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. Walk-in X-ray and laboratory services are also available seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for X-rays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for lab draws. A prescription is required for lab and X-ray services.

 The hospital invested about $750,000 in the renovations and expansion, which created three more exam rooms plus space for lab drawing and other services.

 “This expansion makes it easier for patients to access important healthcare services, and that has a positive impact on community health,” said Nicole Salone, site and medical imaging manager at Saratoga Hospital Urgent Care – Adirondack.

 Urgent care provides walk-in services for patients with minor illnesses or injuries. Extended hours enable patients to receive the prompt, high-quality care that can prevent conditions—such as strep throat, earaches and upper respiratory infections—from getting worse. Prompt treatment also can prevent contagious infections from spreading.

 Patients with a serious illness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness or a life-threatening emergency should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Saratoga Hospital operates urgent care centers in Queensbury and Wilton. The Queensbury center is located on Route 9, just north of Walmart, in the Mount Royal Plaza. For more information, go to UrgentCareAdirondack.org.

Perhaps you (or your children) remember when life was all about the mall. Shopping, eating, watching movies, meeting up with friends.

The mall was where it was at from the 1970s through the late 1990s. Malls were a key focal point of public life. Like downtowns across the United States, malls brought people together by offering us the things we love: food,

entertainment, things to buy. They gave us space to walk, to sit, to read, to browse, to eat, and to shop.

Online shopping and Internet marketing changed our buying habits in the early years of the 21st century. Malls and their traditional retail anchors struggled as a result. The loss of two retail anchors – Sears and the Bon Ton – along with the closing of such popular stores as Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe at the Wilton Mall are signs of that struggle.

Farmers markets meanwhile have proliferated, as Americans have begun to seek healthy foods grown, raised, and made locally. The crowds that throng High Rock Park on Saturdays in the summers for Saratoga’s oldest and most established farmers’ market are evidence of that.

Now, the market and the mall are joining forces. During this holiday season and into the winter, the Wilton Mall will host the Saratoga Farmers’ Market for its indoor season. The market moves indoors on Saturday, November 2, and will operate at the mall from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each Saturday through April.

The partnership marks a transformation for both the market and the mall.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market was established in 1978, as a summer outdoor market. It evolved into a year-round market in the late 1990s, and currently offers produce, meats, eggs, artisanal cheeses, milk, and a wide array of prepared foods and crafts throughout the winter.

But the market, like the mall, has had its share of struggles, particularly in establishing a home for its winter season. As Sandy Arnold of the market’s Pleasant Valley Farm recounts, the market began its winter season first at the Waldorf School, then the Salvation Army building in downtown Saratoga. It quickly outgrew the space at the Salvation Army and moved to the Division Street Elementary School in 2009. School rules prevented the market from staying at that locale, so it moved in the winter of 2013 to the Lincoln Baths Building at the Saratoga Spa State Park where it operated until last spring. Each of these locales presented challenges in terms of vendor space, accessibility, and parking.

The mall changes that. 

“A bus travels twice an hour from downtown Saratoga, Skidmore, and points in between to the market entrance,” says Emily Meagher, market manager. “Entrances and restrooms all are handicapped accessible, and there’s free WI-FI provided by the mall, as well.”

Mike Schaffer, manager of the Wilton Mall, noted that while malls and markets often appear quite different from one another, they also can be quite complementary. “The market board approached us because they needed space,” he said. “We have available space and are thrilled to have them here for the season.”

To visit the Saratoga Farmers’ Market during the holiday season, drive up Route 50 to the mall, or take the bus. Pull in or disembark near the main entrance. From 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., you will find Christmas trees, wreaths, and kissing balls from Charles Holub of Scotch Ridge Farm arranged artfully on the lawn outside. Nearby will be Trish Nusbaum’s Food Florist truck and wood-fired pizza from a new vendor. Enter the doors and a bounty of fresh seasonal vegetables, eggs, meats, milk, prepared foods, and other locally grown, raised and made items await.

The market stretches between the DMV to the reflecting pool near Bath & Body Works, with vendor stalls weaving in and out of such mall retailers as the Shoe Depot, American Eagle Outfitters, Kay Jewelers, and Balsam & Birch Adirondack Accessories. Hot dishes will be available for onsite eating or take-out from Euro Delicacies, Daily Fresh, Petra Pocket Pies, Giovanni Fresco, and many others. 

Skylights bring natural light to the vendor tables. In between are chairs and tables, free Wi-Fi, and an opportunity to also shop at Healthy Living Market, which already offers products from many Saratoga farmers. Both the mall and the market are looking forward to creating joint activities with the market through the winter.

“It will be a different experience for the market and for our loyal base of customers,” says market board president Beth Trattel. “But it’s giving us the opportunity to work with the mall to repurpose community space and create something new.” 

Perhaps you (or your children) remember when life was all about the mall. Shopping, eating, watching movies, meeting up with friends.

The mall was where it was at from the 1970s through the late 1990s. Malls were a key focal point of public life. Like downtowns across the United States, malls brought people together by offering us the things we love: food, entertainment, things to buy. They gave us space to walk, to sit, to read, to browse, to eat, and to shop.

Online shopping and Internet marketing changed our buying habits in the early years of the 21st century. Malls and their traditional retail anchors struggled as a result. The loss of two retail anchors – Sears and the Bon Ton – along with the closing of such popular stores as Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe at the Wilton Mall are signs of that struggle.

Farmers markets meanwhile have proliferated, as Americans have begun to seek healthy foods grown, raised, and made locally. The crowds that throng High Rock Park on Saturdays in the summers for Saratoga’s oldest and most established farmers’ market are evidence of that.

Now, the market and the mall are joining forces. During this holiday season and into the winter, the Wilton Mall will host the Saratoga Farmers’ Market for its indoor season. The market moves indoors on Saturday, November 2, and will operate at the mall from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each Saturday through April.

The partnership marks a transformation for both the market and the mall.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market was established in 1978, as a summer outdoor market. It evolved into a year-round market in the late 1990s, and currently offers produce, meats, eggs, artisanal cheeses, milk, and a wide array of prepared foods and crafts throughout the winter.

But the market, like the mall, has had its share of struggles, particularly in establishing a home for its winter season. As Sandy Arnold of the market’s Pleasant Valley Farm recounts, the market began its winter season first at the Waldorf School, then the Salvation Army building in downtown Saratoga. It quickly outgrew the space at the Salvation Army and moved to the Division Street Elementary School in 2009. School rules prevented the market from staying at that locale, so it moved in the winter of 2013 to the Lincoln Baths Building at the Saratoga Spa State Park where it operated until last spring. Each of these locales presented challenges in terms of vendor space, accessibility, and parking.

The mall changes that. 

{loadmoduleid 268}

“A bus travels twice an hour from downtown Saratoga, Skidmore, and points in between to the market entrance,” says Emily Meagher, market manager. “Entrances and restrooms all are handicapped accessible, and there’s free WI-FI provided by the mall, as well.”

Mike Schaffer, manager of the Wilton Mall, noted that while malls and markets often appear quite different from one another, they also can be quite complementary. “The market board approached us because they needed space,” he said. “We have available space and are thrilled to have them here for the season.”

To visit the Saratoga Farmers’ Market during the holiday season, drive up Route 50 to the mall, or take the bus. Pull in or disembark near the main entrance. From 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., you will find Christmas trees, wreaths, and kissing balls from Charles Holub of Scotch Ridge Farm arranged artfully on the lawn outside. Nearby will be Trish Nusbaum’s Food Florist truck and wood-fired pizza from a new vendor. Enter the doors and a bounty of fresh seasonal vegetables, eggs, meats, milk, prepared foods, and other locally grown, raised and made items await.

The market stretches between the DMV to the reflecting pool near Bath & Body Works, with vendor stalls weaving in and out of such mall retailers as the Shoe Depot, American Eagle Outfitters, Kay Jewelers, and Balsam & Birch Adirondack Accessories. Hot dishes will be available for onsite eating or take-out from Euro Delicacies, Daily Fresh, Petra Pocket Pies, Giovanni Fresco, and many others. 

Skylights bring natural light to the vendor tables. In between are chairs and tables, free Wi-Fi, and an opportunity to also shop at Healthy Living Market, which already offers products from many Saratoga farmers. Both the mall and the market are looking forward to creating joint activities with the market through the winter.

“It will be a different experience for the market and for our loyal base of customers,” says market board president Beth Trattel. “But it’s giving us the opportunity to work with the mall to repurpose community space and create something new.” 

Click Here for the Latest on Electric Car
Charging Stations in Saratoga Springs

Click Here for the Latest on Electric Car
Charging Stations in Saratoga Springs

SARATOGA SPRINGS –  It’s been a long and winding road to Adelphi Street since a community of residents, clergy, business leaders, politicians and everyday folks first came together to create a space where people without a home can find shelter during frigid nights, get fed a warm meal, recharge their bodies and head back out into the light of the next day to try and secure a more stable standing.

Motivated to action in the wake of the death of a city woman exposed to a winter’s elements on a December night in 2013, a temporary homeless emergency shelter was launched that Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s Parish Center.

A series of temporary winter shelters, sited at a variety of venues across town, have followed: the Salvation Army building west of Broadway and Soul Saving Station Church east of Broadway, among them. The latter, having a 41-bed capacity, required the addition of the Presbyterian New England Congregational Church also open for extended periods to care for the “overflow” of guests.

Last month, Shelters of Saratoga – which oversees the Code Blue shelter program – opened the latest temporary venue at 4 Adelphi St., just west of South Broadway. In 2016, an executive order issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo directs emergency shelters to operate when temperatures drop below 32 degrees.

Many hands were needed to transform a previously vacant Adelphi Street warehouse into a suitable shelter space in time for the winter season.   

“On behalf of Shelters of Saratoga, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the incredible generosity of all the businesses that helped bring Code Blue to Adelphi Street a reality,” said S.O.S. Executive Director Karen Gregory.

The locally based Bonacio Construction firm led the way, transforming the 4,000 square-foot of industrial space into accommodations for people during cold temperatures, at cost. The work included fitting up the existing building with new electrical, HVAC, and plumbing, painting floors, adding bathrooms with showers, and donating shelving.

“We worked hard to get this project on schedule after running into asbestos in the building in November,” Bonacio says. “After working through the weekends, we were able to make up valuable time and got them up and running for opening on December 9.”

“We’re very grateful to them for completing the project at cost, foregoing profit and being very generous with their expertise,” Gregory said.

{loadmoduleid 268}

During the 2017-18 winter season – the latest figures available – Code Blue was open 162 nights, served more than 8,000 meals, and provided sleeping quarters for a total of 6,480 overnight stays – or on average, 40 nightly guests.

The new location houses a 61-bed facility – many more than in previous locations – and as such, Gregory said an “overflow” shelter is not anticipated at this time.  “I think the new location is working well. We’re working with people to get them to and from different appointments they need to be at. We’re in Saratoga Springs, so realistically anywhere in the city would have worked well,” she added. 

The lease on the new location runs until November 2021. An entirely new staff and leadership has been hired providing more people than in years past working each shift, and just over 107 new volunteers have also been added this year, pointed out Gregory, who said the search for a location to host a permanent site continues. “That’s something I’m truly committed to and is something in the conversation and on my agenda every single day. Two years is going to go by quickly, so we can’t take our eye off of that. That has to be a priority on my agenda, the city’s agenda, and hopefully the county’s agenda as well,” Gregory said. 

Finding a permanent shelter location has proved to be a challenge.  A permanent shelter location was thought to be found in 2017 on Walworth Street, where a Code Blue structure would be built on property belonging to Shelters of Saratoga after local business owner Ed Mitzen, and his wife Lisa announced they would pay the costs for the new, permanent shelter to be built. In September 2018, however, following a lawsuit filed by local residents challenging the proposed shelter expansion as not being in accordance with zoning regulation, a Saratoga County Supreme Court judge nullified previously granted approvals by the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board which would have allowed the shelter to be built.

Regarding the new temporary spot, the city of Saratoga Springs provided $50,000 towards the upkeep of the building as well as for paying rent in the off-season for the next two years, as well as supporting the S.O.S. outreach program.

As far as need, Gregory says the best way for people to help is to make donations directly to Shelters of Saratoga to aid in the continuation of the organization’s providing of services.

“We haven’t been reimbursed by the county or the state at all yet, so we’re carrying this tremendous financial responsibility forward,” Gregory said. “We’re not exactly sure what the county and state are going to reimburse us for and there’s always a risk of the unknown.  That makes it difficult on a small non-profit like us because we can’t afford to incur those expenses and not get reimbursed, obviously. In the interim, we have applied and been approved for a bridge loan for $200,000 by a non-profit bank just in case reimbursement continues to be prolonged. At least that would not put the agency in a tough spot and cover some of the costs, until we get some kind of reimbursement.”

Finding a long-term solution to address the city’s homelessness issue – specifically including a permanent Code Blue facility – is listed among the city’s outlook of priorities in 2020. 

“I’m so thankful to be working in this incredibly generous community – the amount of expertise and support and humanity – just coming together when there are needs and putting people first,” said Gregory, who was named executive director of S.O.S. last year.  “We really do care about our homeless neighbors, keeping them safe, and I’m very appreciate of having a community that’s so behind S.O.S. It’s been a wonderful experience so far.” 

Statement from Bonacio Construction Inc.: The temporary Code Blue shelter in Downtown Saratoga Springs required transforming this 4,000 square foot industrial space into accommodations for people during the cold temperatures. Thank you to our incredible team of local businesses who helped out on this project: Allerdice ACE Hardware for donating materials. B&B Plumbing & Heating for donating both its plumbing and HVAC services. CT Mail for providing its air monitoring services during asbestos removal at a discount. Kyle Fillion of Evolve IT for donating his services for video conferencing. Granite & Marble Works, Inc. for donating granite countertops. NRC NY Environmental for working on the asbestos abatement at a discount. Prediletto Electric for donating its time and supplies. Tom Roohan of Roohan Realty for donating the showers. Stone Industries for providing its services. Thermally Yours, Inc. for installing the insulation. Tuff Kote Flooring LLC for installing the epoxy flooring at half price. Winsupply of Saratoga Springs & Bath Expressions Showroom for donating the plumbing fixtures. Project Manager: James Ackerman.

QUEENSBURY — The resurrection is here. Death Wish Coffee Co. is back 2 years later with a new beer, this time as part of a collaboration with Northway Brewing Co of Queensbury, New York. The beer, called Oat-bituary, is an oatmeal stout made with Death Wish Coffee, cacao nibs, and vanilla bean.

The beer will officially be released today, Friday, January 10 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Saratoga City Tavern. At the event, there will be samples and pint specials and a sneak peek at future Northway Brewing and Death Wish Coffee collaborations. There will be a live broadcast with 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio’s Levack and Goz from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event is open to the public. 

Oat-bituary will be available for purchase at Price Chopper grocery stores, all area beverage centers, and independent retailers in the coming weeks. It will also be sold at Northway Brewing company, located at  1043 U.S. 9, Queensbury.

Oat-bituary will also be available at Broken Resolutions Beer Fest, located at Northway Brewing from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 18. Proceeds from the event will benefit Acct Naturally, a local non-profit focused on off-track thoroughbreds interacting with veterans, first responders, and teens. Death Wish Coffee will also be at the event providing samples of brewed coffee and cold brew.

CAPITAL REGION — In June of 2018, Misty Jones was participating in the Capital Region Heart Walk when she collapsed and was taken away by ambulance. Shortly thereafter, she was diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia, a condition she’s had all her life but never known about. The following January, she applied for and was accepted into the American Heart Association’s 2019 BetterU program.

On Monday, Jan. 6., Jones, who lives in Clifton Park and is a physical therapist at Albany Memorial Hospital, shared her story as the American Heart Association launched its search for the 2020 BetterU class. The BetterU is a 12-week heart-health improvement program that is part of the Go Red for Women movement. Twelve women will be accepted into the program through an application and interview process.

BetterU participants will receive nutritional education from Price Chopper/Market 32 and individual counseling from The Sage Colleges nutrition program. The Capital District YMCA will provide personal trainers and 12-week memberships to the participants, and CAP COM, presenting sponsor of the BetterU, will provide a financial wellness workshop. The women will meet weekly for group workouts and support at the SEFCU gym.

“I had always known that something wasn’t quite right,” Jones said, “but nobody could ever find anything. I urge everyone to be their own best advocate and take care of themselves.”

Jones applied for the BetterU at the urging of her friend, BetterU alumna and co-chair of the 2019 Capital Region Go Red for Women Luncheon, Kathleen Pingelski, president of MicroKnowledge and ProKnowledge.

“The BetterU really helped me see the importance of a support system and let me redouble my commitment to eating well and exercising,” Jones said.

In 2019, Jones didn’t just return to the Heart Walk, she ran the 5K with BetterU friends.

“The American Heart Association’s impact and mission is very important to all of us at CAP COM,” said CAP COM Chief Relationship Officer, Susan Rosko Fogarty. “We are excited to continue our partnership with AHA and help launch the 2020 BetterU program. BetterU offers the tools for Capital Region women to develop healthy lifestyle changes, and make friendships and gain confidence along the way.”

Maria Decker of Maria’s Catering is a member of the Capital Region Board of Directors of the American Heart Association and the leader of the BetterU of the Go Red for Women movement.

“We are all in such a hurry and don’t bother to talk with each other,” Decker said. “The BetterU creates a place where these women can come together, work out, learn good eating habits, share successes and challenges, and come out healthier. We need to take care of our hearts every day, not just because it’s January. I’m excited to meet this year’s group. I’m also excited that Jennifer Snyder Wright and Kathleen Pingelski are leading the BetterU alumnae group so that the 12-week program becomes a lifetime program.”

“Food plays a fundamental role in heart health, and I am excited to help the participants explore and start a heart-healthy lifestyle,” said Ellie Wilson, Senior Nutritionist for Price Chopper/Market 32. “It’s been a privilege to be part of the BetterU and to increase women’s knowledge of heart disease – and how to prevent it. Having the Sage students work with the women is also a great addition to the program.”

Sara Rindenello, communications manager at Albany Med, and Victoria Baecker, director of community relations and corporate events at CDPHP, are co-chairing the 2020 Go Red for Women Luncheon, where the BetterU class will be showcased.

“CDPHP is thrilled to once again to be the gold sponsor the American Heart Association’s BetterU program, which has helped countless women achieve the important goal of living their healthiest lives,” Baecker said. “I look forward to hearing all about the success of this year’s class and commend the American Heart Association for putting together a program that makes women’s heart health a top priority.”

“The BetterU program is the heart of the Go Red for Women Luncheon,” Rindenello said. “It embodies everything that the Go Red for a Women movement aims to accomplish. This program gives a life-changing opportunity to women and enables them to take charge of their health by providing significant help, resources and support to achieve significant health and fitness-related improvements. Albany Med is proud to be a part of it.”

The BetterU application is available at CapitalRegionNYGoRedLuncheon.Heart.org or by calling 518.626.8750. The application deadline is January 16, 2020.

BALLSTON SPA — As a result of the positive response to the “Save Brookside Museum” campaign, the Saratoga County Historical Society/Brookside Museum Board of Directors has announced that the museum will reopen in February 2020 after its normal January closure. With significant contributions from the Towns of Ballston and Milton, as well as support from the community, over $65,000 has been received to date. SCHS/Brookside Museum is now entering the next phase of the campaign to achieve its goal of raising $100,000 by March 2020 to ensure the continued operation of the museum and support of its extensive collections and educational outreach programs. 

To ensure the long-term viability of Brookside, a team has been formed to re-envision the operations of the museum, seeking to expand our capacity to present local history to the community.  An important aspect of this initiative is to work together with other historical organizations in Saratoga County on this shared desire to inspire a love for our past, and its importance in providing perspectives for our daily lives. SCHS/Brookside Museum will be in the forefront of this effort during 2020 and in the years to come. 

To contribute to the campaign, donations may be sent to Saratoga County Historical Society, 6 Charlton St., Ballston Spa, NY 12020 or visit www.brooksidemuseum.org. Contact K. Michelle Arthur, Ph.D., Executive Director, at director@brooksidemuseum.org or call 518-885-4000 for more information.

Wilton — Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist (H.O.P.E.) has leased a space in the Wilton Mall for the Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist (H.O.P.E.) Adoption and Education Center. The Center will house adoptable cats, provide adoption counseling, a pet-for-the-weekend program and a read-to-the-pets program. They will also host events including: dog adoptions, educational programs for pet owners and prospective pet owners, Cat Yoga, Cat Cafe, pet massage, training workshops and demos, pet enrichment craft/DIY parties, author readings/signings, art and craft shows, holiday pet photos, as well as providing volunteer opportunities and much more. With an ambitious renovation schedule, H.O.P.E. aims to open in January and plans on a Grand Opening Celebration in the Spring of 2020. The current Schuylerville location will close.

H.O.P.E. is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization and has been providing beloved pets to adoptive families and assisting families needing to re-home pets, for 17 years. In doing so, H.O.P.E. has rescued, fostered and adopted out thousands of local dogs and cats. They also help pets stay in their homes by providing pet food to food pantries, advice and occasional emergency medical assistance. For more information, to volunteer, donate or participate in their events: www.hopeanimalrescue.org or www.facebook.com/PetsHOPE.