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SARATOGA SPRINGS - Twenty-two musical groups, highlighted by the Saratoga Performing Arts Center debut of Norah Jones and the return of George Benson and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, are slated to perform at the 2019 Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival June 29-30.

“I am over the moon to have Norah Jones featured at the jazz festival for the first time. And we welcome back, with open arms and hearts, the legendary George Benson, who will make his 12th festival appearance and first since 2009,” said Danny Melnick, the festival producer and President of Absolutely Live Entertainment, in a statement. “The festival has a deep history of, and is committed to, presenting important and diverse new artists and this year’s edition continues that tradition with Kandace Springs, Veronica Swift, Antonio Sanchez, Cha Wa, Donna Grantis, Youn Sun Nah and Kansas Smitty’s House Band.”

Back by popular demand is Los Van Van 50th Anniversary, Django Festival All-Stars with Edmar Castañeda and Grace Kelly, Joshua Redman Quartet, and James Carter Organ Trio. Fifteen emerging artists making their Saratoga debuts include Kandace Springs, Donna Grantis, Joey DeFrancesco Trio, Mercy Project which features Jon Cowherd, Brian Blade, John Patitucci, and Steve Cardenas, Antonio Sanchez & Migration, and Cha Wa. The festival will also feature a record number of groups led by women artists, highlighted by Allison Miller, Veronica Swift, Ruthie Foster and Youn Sun Nah. 

The festival takes place Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  Performances will begin on the Charles R. Wood “Jazz Discovery” Stage at noon and 11 a.m., respectively, and on the main Amphitheater Stage at 2 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.

SPAC also announced that Freihofer’s Jazz Fest Friday will return on Friday, June 28, when scores of live jazz events, themed dining, and social dance options will be held in downtown Saratoga Springs.

Founded in 1978 by jazz impresario George Wein, Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival is the fifth longest-consecutive-running jazz festival in North America. Initially founded as “the Newport Jazz Festival at Saratoga” the weekend event was renamed Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival in 1998.  With an inside seating capacity of 5,200, and lawn seating of 20,000, the two-day, two-stage festival continues to be one of the largest jazz music events in North America.

Tickets for the festival will be available online at www.spac.org beginning Feb. 15 to the general public and starting on Feb. 4 to SPAC members. Single-day adult tickets range: $68 lawn, $78-$108 inside; Two-day pass: $116 lawn, $136-$196 inside.  also, $20 amphitheater ticket options are available for children ages 15 and under and students with school-issued ID at time of entrance. Seating is best available with some exclusions. Lawn seating is free for children ages 15 and under. Parking for the event is free. For more information, go to: spac.org.  

SARATOGA SPRINGS – When the United States Postal Service first issued its “Forever” stamp in 2007, it boasted a unique commodity. Here is a non-perishable product that would maintain its value in one ounce-weight, no matter how much costs may increase in the future.     

Forever stamps are non-denominational first-class postage, which means that they can be used to mail First Class letters no matter what the postal rate. In other words, if you purchased the stamps in 2007, which cost 41 cents at the time, then they may continue to be used in the present day for a normal-sized letter weighing one ounce or less, even as postage rates have increased. Forever stamps have also gone up in price - to 42 cents in 2008, 46 cents in 2013, 49 cents in 2014.

This week, the USPS raised the price of new Forever stamps up to 55 cents, which went into effect Jan. 27.  

Since their first issue in 2007, a variety of faces have graced forever stamps – from songwriter John Lennon to America’s first woman in space, Sally Ride; from the animated Great Dane Scooby-Doo to TV’s Mr. Rogers. There are stamps which have honored Americans who participated in WW I, and others recognizing First Responders.   

Brand new, or soon-to-be-released Forever stamps include tributes to entertainer Gregory Hines, and to tennis champion Maureen “Little Mo” Connolly Brinker.  

Additions to the 2019 Stamp Program – although not all will be marked as “Forever” stamps, will include: the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad; multiple works by artist Ellsworth Kelly (1923–2015); a tribute to Marvin Gaye, and one commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock music festival. Another will celebrate murals created inside five different post offices during the era of the Great Depression that were designed to add a touch of beauty to post office walls and help boost the morale of Americans.

While not included in the Post Office Mural pane, locals will note the Saratoga Springs post office on Broadway displays two murals titled “Saratoga in Racing Season,” which were painted by Guy Pene du Bois under the Treasury Relief Art Project in 1937.

On another local note, artist Ellsworth Kelly – whose work will be featured on a 2019 stamp - has been exhibited at the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery, on the campus of Skidmore College. In 2015, the Tang received a $100,000 challenge grant from the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation for the purpose of supporting the conservation and care of its 7,000-plus-work collection. Additionally, Ian Berry, the museum’s Dayton Director, worked as a studio assistant for Kelly in the 1990s.

As to how the illustrated face of a stamp is chosen, USPS spokeswoman Maureen Marion says a Postmaster General’s Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee meets quarterly and is involved in the decision-making process.

 “They look at thousands of recommendations that come through,” she says.  The CSAC was established in 1957. Their meetings are closed to the public.  

One notable proposal floated during the lick-and-stick stamp days was a four-panel beer stein depiction which had a pretzel flavored taste to it when you licked the back of the stamp, Marion says. “But, that didn’t come to pass.”

The Richard Nixon stamp, issued in 1995 after the former president’s passing, was the first stamp on a major scale that moved away from the lick-and-stick variety and on to the adhesive option.  

“Just imagine, there are people graduating college now who have never licked a stamp,” Marion says.

As for the Stamp selection process, the U.S. Postal Service welcomes suggestions for stamp subjects that celebrate the American experience. Any proposal that meets the established criteria will be considered.  That criteria may be found at: https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/csac/criteria.htm. As of January 2018, no living persons will be honored on a stamp. Deceased individuals will be honored no earlier than three years after his or her death.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Chowderfest returns for its 21st year on Saturday, Feb. 2, when event-goers may sample more than 90 different chowders at $1 a pop.  The event takes place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features 3-ounce chowder samples at participating establishments and is anticipated to draw more than 40,000 attendees, says Discover Saratoga President Darryl Leggieri. 

The 90 or so establishments offering up their own brand of chowder is about three times the number of businesses involved during the festival’s earlier days, in 2005. 

What has remained a constant is the cost of a sample – one dollar – and the special commemorative Chowderfest T-shirt, whose logo varies year-to-year and has been designed, since the festival’s inception in 2000, by local artist Hud Armstrong.    

Armstrong started drawing at the age of four during the era of radio, because he wanted to see what the things he heard about looked like. Since that time, Armstrong has created some significant works across the city – from the High Rock mural inside City Hall to a near 20-feet-long piece that covers the inside lobby of the Mabee Building and took two years to complete, which depicts more than 200 local Saratoga people done up in a 19th century style. 

This year’s Chowderfest T-shirt imagines a statuesque jockey riding atop a thoroughbred next to a snowman-making chipmunk. A pair of kids hold aloft bowls of chowder as the air route of a low-flying bird takes in the essence of its fragrance. Red letters across a snow white banner cheerfully reads: Welcome to Saratoga Springs. 

Chowderfest event-goers can pick up a ballot from any participating restaurant and vote for their favorite chowder samples. Valid ballots can be turned in at the Saratoga Springs City Center, or Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center – where winners will be announced at 6:30 p.m. on the day of the event. 

Free shuttles to downtown Saratoga Springs will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Wilton Mall park & ride near Dick’s Sporting Goods and the Saratoga Casino Hotel. Stay warm during the event with an official Chowderfest beanie ($7) and long-sleeve shirt ($10 or $12 for 2XL), which will be sold at the City Center and Visitor Center. 

COURT 

Colleen M. Olsen, age 32, of Greenwich, pleaded Jan. 23 to attempted criminal possession of stolen property, a felony, in connection with an incident that took place in Wilton. Olsen was placed on interim probation, to include Treatment Court.
Sentencing March 27. 

John F. Young, age 52, of Hadley, pleaded Jan. 25 to failure to register as a sex offender, a felony. Sentencing March 22. 

Joshua S. O’Halloran, age 36, of Catskill, pleaded Jan. 25 to felony burglary, in Ballston.
Sentencing March 22. 

POLICE

Jeremy M. Dunphy, age 39, Ballston Lake, was charged Jan. 27 with stalking in the fourth degree - a misdemeanor. 

Sheila E. Wray, age 62, Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 27 with driving while intoxicated- felony; aggravated driving while intoxicated- felony; aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle - 1st degree/under influence- felony; circumvent interlock-court order-operate without device- misdemeanor; consumption of alcoholic beverages; failed to signal a turn. 

Brett H. Putnam, age 28, Amsterdam, was charged Jan. 26 with aggravated unlicensed operation third degree- misdemeanor; speeding - posted zone. 

Jason E. Drebitko, age 39, Scotia, was charged Jan. 26 with harassment second degree -
physical contact. 

Darrick D. Conners, age 45, Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 27 with criminal trespass third degree/building or property - misdemeanor. 

Michael J. Dillard, age 32, Corinth, was charged Jan. 25 with aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd/three or more suspensions- misdemeanor; circumvent interlock-court order-operate without device- misdemeanor; operation by unlicensed driver.

Robert J. Loya, age 30, Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 28 with two felony counts criminal possession of stolen property and identity theft, three felony counts forgery in the second-degree/deed, credit card, and the misdemeanor counts forgery in the third-degree, and theft of services/stolen credit card in connection with several unauthorized transactions made on an allegedly stolen credit card. 

Victoria F. Amaya, age 23, Greenfield Center, was charged Jan. 24 with criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument- misdemeanor. pl 220.03- - criminal possession of a controlled substance
7th - misdemeanor. 

David G. Ralph, age 61, Ballston Spa, was charged Jan. 24 with driving while intoxicated- 2nd offense- felony; aggravated driving while intoxicated- misdemeanor; unreasonable speed; following motor vehicle too closely. Ralph was charged after being involved in a property damage accident. Ralph collided into the rear of a vehicle which was stopped at a red light. The vehicle stopped at the red light was a marked Saratoga Springs Police Department patrol car. 

William A. Tate, age 43, Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 23 with harassment second degree - physical contact. 

Scott A. Smith, age 41, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 23 with aggravated DWI – child in vehicle felony; endangering the welfare of a child, and reckless driving - misdemeanors, and improper lane use. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office, authorities responded to a call of a reckless driver on Jones Rd. in the town of Wilton. The vehicle in question allegedly proceeded to strike another vehicle in the drop-off area of Dorothy Nolan Elementary school. Smith is accused of driving his vehicle while intoxicated at a time when two children under the age of 15 were in the vehicle. There were no injuries as a result of the collision.

Latasha C. Thomas, age 26, Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 22 with assault in the second degree /intent physical injury- felony. 

Steven W. Harris, age 48, Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 21 with unauthorized use of a vehicle third/no consent- misdemeanor. 

Steven M. Braman, age 58, Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 21 with unauthorized use of a vehicle third/ no consent- misdemeanor; criminal possession of marijuana fifth degree- misdemeanor. 

Michael K. Barnes, age 40, Ballston Spa, was charged Jan. 21 with attempted assault in the 3rd degree/ intent physical injury- misdemeanor. 

John J. Guerin, age 40, Ballston Spa was charged Jan. 21 with aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd/based on mandatory suspension- misdemeanor; aggravated unlicensed operation second
degree - misdemeanor.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — More than a dozen albums ago, Saratoga Springs High School friends Pete Donnelly, Mike Gent and Guy Lyons first got together to form a musical ensemble they called The Figgs.

Thirty-one years and some 1,500 shows later, Donnelly - who calls Philadelphia and South Jersey home these days – returns Jan. 31 to Caffe Lena, where he will be joined by Fred Berman on drums, Ray Long on bass, and John Cunningham on guitar.

In addition to his founding-member in-standing with The Figgs, Donnelly’s musical path has traveled through Terry Adams’ legendary NRBQ, Soul Asylum, the Replacements’ Tommy Stinson and Graham Parker, among others.  

There was a TV commercial for a luxury car in 2013 that featured the catchy post-new wave riffs of the Figgs’ “Je T’adore,”  and with the song “Your Smile Is a Deadly Thing,” released in 2016, the band showcased THE most addictive guitar riff of the year. Go ahead, give it a whirl HERE. 

Coming back to Saratoga, “still pretty much feels like home,” Donnelly said, during a phone interview in advance of New Year’s Eve return to perform at First Night Saratoga 2017.

His most recent solo album, 2018’s “Phases of The Moon,” features an all-star combo and signals a departure from Donnelly's past work. While the pop songs remain, the jazz predominates. (As was written in these pages upon the album’s release last year: The piano serves as a driving force, merging seductive jazz riffs laced with a sweet soul muse, topped with the familiar jingle-jangle of an electric guitar).

Ten of the album’s 18 tracks are instrumentals and include recreation of works by Thelonious Monk, Ornette Coleman, Erik Satie, Claude Debussy and Oscar Pettiford.

“As a kid I loved jazz music, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, and I think a lot of people are surprised by that. Those were my idols,” says Donnelly, whose first instrument was the bass - and specifically an Ibanez Roadstar II, purchased at Drome Sound in Albany on his 13th birthday.  Growing up in ‘80s, bands like Hüsker Dü and Black Flag helped inspire his music “counter to the cheesy, schmaltzy ‘80s pop world we grew up in during the Reagan Era. Our music was an affront to that. It was an expression of searching for an identity in a banal world,” he says. “It almost feels like it’s a return to that now.”

Pete Donnelly performs 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31 at Caffe Lena. Tickets are $20 general admission, $18 members, $10 students and kids. For more information, call 518-583-0022, or go to: caffelena.org.    

SARATOGA SPRINGS – In the waning months of 1974 and following the conclusion of his tour with The Band, Bob Dylan recorded 10 songs that would emanate from the grooves of his vinyl release in the new year. The album - “Blood On The Tracks” – includes the now-standard Dylan tunes “Tangled Up In Blue,” “Simple Twist of Fate,” “Shelter From The Storm” and “Idiot Wind.”

Wednesday night, the Rochmon Record Club calls its popular sonic gathering to order at Caffe Lena to listen, learn about and discuss Bob Dylan’s epic 1975 album “Blood On The Tracks.” 

In addition to revisiting the stories and songs of this iconic album, the night also provides a neat prelude to the scheduled 2019 Netflix release “Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese,” which focuses on the singer-songwriter during his The Rolling Thunder Revue tour. That tour hit the road shortly after the release of “Blood On The Tracks” and featured a plethora of musicians (Joan Baez to Roger McGuinn to Ramblin’ Jack Elliott to Mick Ronson), writers (Sam Shepard) and poets (Patti Smith turned the tour down, but Allen Ginsberg showed up).  There was even a push by Saratoga Springs café owner Lena Spencer to stage the tour locally (One Night Only, Nov. 18, Six Bucks).   

The Listening Party on Wednesday, Jan. 30 begins at 7 p.m. with a live audio and video presentation by Chuck Vosganian, aka Rochmon. The Caffe Lena kitchen will be open for light food and drinks. General admission is $8. For more information, go to: caffelena.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee announced today that it will start interviews soon with candidates who are interested in securing the Democratic Party endorsement for municipal elections later this year. Due to changes in New York’s primary election date, SSDC interviews will be held earlier than in previous years.

The SSDC is seeking to hear no later than Sunday, Feb. 10, from those who are – or may be – planning a run in 2019.

The November 2019 election in Saratoga Springs will include races for mayor and all other City Council slots, including the commissioners of accounts, finance, public works and public safety. Two County Supervisors also will be elected to represent the city.

The SSDC will invite interested candidates to meet with its Nominations/Endorsement Subcommittee to discuss the local Democratic platform and the candidates’ positions and qualifications. The full SSDC then votes on endorsing candidates for each position.

Earlier this week, the state Senate and Assembly approved voting reform legislation, including a bill to move up New York’s primary election from September to June, consolidating state and federal primary dates. An earlier primary means that the petition process, whereby candidates seek to secure party lines on the ballot, also will occur much earlier. This in turn accelerates the SSDC’s need to interview those seeking its endorsement.

All inquiries should be directed to SSDC Chair Courtney DeLeonardis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

BALLSTON SPA – In August 2012, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to create the formation of the Saratoga County Capital Resource Corporation, or SCCRC, and named Anita Daly the organization’s chair.

Charged with promoting community development and the creation of jobs in both the not-for-profit and for-profit sectors, the local development corporation this week announced it had facilitated more than $200 million in financing since its formation.

That financing benefitted health care, education and affordable housing organizations headquartered or operating in Saratoga County. Projects have included enabling low-interest financing for a segment of a new science building at Skidmore College, the expansion at Saratoga Hospital, updates to the Raymond Watkin apartments and for a St. Peter’s Hospital project.

“In the case of Saratoga Hospital, they expanded their ER and the size of their OR, and (at the Watkin apartments) they did a huge renovation to the facility that enhances the quality of life for residents there,” said Daly, who continues to serve as chairwoman of the not-for-profit SCCRC.

“By being a conduit for tax-exempt financing, it helps not-for-profits maintain low costs in financing or re-financing a project. By keeping the cost down, it allows them to save money for their operation or do an expansion, or whatever their goal may be,” Daly said. “Sometimes it makes the difference whether they go ahead with their goal or not.”

In a new initiative for 2019, the agency is providing grants to small businesses and organizations which may not otherwise have the resources to participate in the newly launched Saratoga County Institute of Management. The program is designed to help local incumbent staff members develop leadership and management skills.

“It was created at the request of different business people in the area who expressed the need to better advance certain skill sets of existing employees and new hires,” Daly said of the partnership forged between SCCRC, the county Chamber of Commerce and Empire State College with the idea of grooming future leaders. “We created a program that was directly the result of requests made by businesses, so that we can help our businesses with their workforce development needs.” 

The program is organized into three different three-month tracks: sessions in Operational Management - such as recruitment and retention, and knowledge of HR and legal issues; Self-Awareness - which includes time management and effective listening, and sessions in the Management of Others, which features motivation and conflict resolution techniques.

The cost for businesses to send employees to the management program is $1,500 (Chamber members) to $2,000 (non-members) per employee, per track.

“What the Saratoga County Capital Resource Corporation was able to so with some of its funds is to invest in the project by way of scholarships,” Daly said. “Particularly for some smaller not-for-profits that may not have the funds available in their budget to send some of their employees to this management institute, we underwrite the cost for them to attend.”  

The agency – comprised of seven members at full capacity - is self-sufficient and doesn’t rely on any taxpayer or government funding, Daly said. The group’s annual budget calls for contractual CEO and administrative expenses but is comprised of a volunteer board. Fees associated with application charges provide revenue, Daly added. Bond administration fees typically account for $75,000 in annual revenue, according to the agency’s budget.

“The whole purpose of creating Saratoga County Capital Resource Corporation was to give our not-for profits in Saratoga County an opportunity to work with a local development corporation as opposed to having to go through the state Dormitory Authority - a much more cumbersome and expensive route for them,” she said. “We’re very proud of the organization we put together and pleased that we have been were able to offer this avenue for financing and we believe it’s come back to benefit everyone across Saratoga County, and even beyond.”    

SCCRC holds public meetings on a quarterly basis at minimum, and with more frequency when working with an application or project that needs further review. For more information, call 518-435-5903, or go to: https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/departments/saratoga-county-capital-resource-corporation/.

COURT 

Mark. B. Baldwin, age 29, of Ballston Spa, pleaded Jan. 18 to felony DWI, in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing is scheduled for March 1. 

Wayne A. Rice, age 40, of Northumberland, was sentenced Jan. 18 to 4.5 years in state prison, after pleading to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth-degree, in Saratoga Springs.   

Michael T. Garrick, age 36, of Schuylerville, pleaded Jan. 18 to felony grand larceny in Halfmoon and felony robbery in the town of Saratoga. Sentencing is scheduled for March 22. 

Alicia C. Lewie, age 33, of Schuylerville, pleaded Jan. 18 to felony attempted robbery, in the town of Saratoga. Sentencing is scheduled for March 22.   

Daniel M. Desnoyers, age 29, of Ballston Spa, pleaded Jan. 17 to felony aggravated criminal contempt, in Milton. Sentencing is scheduled for March 22. 

Jerold C. Kelleher, age 49, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Jan. 15 to 5.5 years in state prison, after pleading to criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree. 

Michael S. Andrews, age 22, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to 2.5 years in state prison, after pleading to criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree. 

Deborah M. Willson, age 40, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Jan. 8 to eight months in jail, after pleading to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth-degree. 

Tyvon M. Webb, age 28, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded Jan. 1 to felony criminal sale of a controlled substance. Sentencing is scheduled for March 29. 

Julie A. Gailor, age 52, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Jan. 14 to time served and five years of probation, after pleading to fourth degree arson, in connection with an incident in Saratoga Springs. 

Leon G. Nadeau, age 33, of Burnt Hills, was sentenced Jan. 14 to six months in jail and five years of probation, after pleading to attempted making a terroristic threat, a felony. 

POLICE

Richard H. Curran, age 38, Queensbury, was charged Jan. 19 with criminal possession of a weapon third degree- felony.

Kayla J. Laplant, age 28, Ballston Spa, was charged Jan. 19 with speeding - posted zone; aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle third degree- misdemeanor. 

Shawn W. Farrell, age 19, Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 18 with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th- misdemeanor. 

David J. Kuebaugh, age 33, Gloversville, was charged Jan. 17 with assault in the third degree/intent physical injury- misdemeanor; menacing second degree- misdemeanor; criminal possession of a weapon fourth degree- misdemeanor. 

Raphaella M. Saunders, age 25, Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 17 with petit larceny- misdemeanor. 

Katerina M. James, age 19, Gloversville, was charged Jan. 15 with petit larceny- misdemeanor; criminal possession stolen property fifth degree- misdemeanor. 

Nicholas T. Lareau, age 30, Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 15 with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th- misdemeanor. 

Kenneth L. Goodwin, age 61, Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 14 with failure to obey traffic control device; aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle third degree- misdemeanor.

Nicholas T. Dixon, age 23, Ballston Spa, was charged Jan. 14 with criminal possession stolen property fourth degree- felony; forgery in the first degree/stocks, bonds- felony; burglary in the third degree- felony; criminal impersonation second degree - misdemeanor.

David J. Kuebaugh, age 33, Gloversville, was charged Jan. 13 with criminal mischief fourth degree/intent damages property- misdemeanor; unlawful possession of marijuana. 

Marc L. Santamoor, age 40, Ballston Spa, was charged Jan. 13 with fail to keep right; fail to signal - turn, change lanes, parked; driving while intoxicated- misdemeanor; refuse pre-screen test. 

Conar T. Jones, age 22, Clifton Park, was charged Jan. 13 with resisting arrest- misdemeanor/ two counts; harassment second degree - physical contact. 

Shannon M. Cullinan, age 22, Mechanicville, was charged Jan. 13 with disorderly conduct; criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th- misdemeanor. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – 5G. AI. Blockchain. The possible eradication of disease and abolishment of poverty. The potential wiping out of your job. So many questions.  A free, city-based “Lunch and Learn” event with a focus on artificial intelligence will take place Thursday, Jan. 24 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

“The AI Opportunity: Developing an AI Ecosystem in Upstate New York” will include a panel discussion, and a Q & A session: What is artificial intelligence? Why does AI matter? What opportunities does it present locally and regionally?

Panelists will share ideas, experiences, and viewpoints about AI technology, research and development, ethics, and policies and will be moderated by Michele Madigan, city Commissioner of Finance and chair of the Saratoga Springs Smart City Commission.

“This series—on topics such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, innovation, and energy—works to position the region to spur economic development by leveraging applications of emerging technologies to practical business challenges,” Madigan said, in a statement.

Marty Vanags, president of Saratoga County prosperity Partnership, and one of the sponsoring organizations of the event, points to things like the Apple Watch, robot vacuums and Alexa as things inside the home that depict AI is already here.

“On my phone I have The Weather Channel App. Algorithms are generating information and pretty darn accurate information about what the weather is going to be like into the future, from temperatures on an hourly basis to how much and where snow is going to fall,” Vanags says. “I was at a consumer electronics show last week and Samsung has something called The Hub - this giant screen on the refrigerator that organizes your family activities, totally interactive.   

Do you watch movies on Netflix? That data is put to use for the next time you want to watch a movie and shows up in recommendations: because you watched THIS movie, try THESE movies. “It may not be an exact fit, but the technology, that algorithm will learn over time,” Vanags says. “Machine learning, which is part of Artificial Intelligence. It keeps re-defining until it really begins to know and understand what it is you like.”  

It is anticipated that the deployment of 5G will lead to the mainstreaming of autonomous, or self-driving vehicles.

Asked whether there may be a danger with all the gathering of data that may lead to humans not being exposed to new things, or perhaps other downfalls, Vanags says, “technology needs to have limits and controls, just like anything. It’s an interesting conundrum. We like our technology we like our conveniences and at the same time we don’t want to be felt imposed upon by companies that are using that technology.”   

An “Open Letter” penned in 2015 and signed by the likes of Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, the late Stephen Hawking and thousands of others, the importance of focused research to maximize the societal benefit of AI was stressed. “Our AI systems must do what we want them to do,” the Open Letter states. “The potential benefits are huge… the eradication of disease and poverty are not unfathomable. Because of the great potential of AI, it is important to research how to reap its benefits while avoiding potential pitfalls.”

The future impact of AI is also anticipated to cause the elimination of some jobs - taxi drivers and truck drivers as examples among them - when self-driving vehicles become mainstream. 

“It’s hard to predict. I’m not predicting this, but some people have predicted that you will go to a restaurant and essentially robots will take your order,” Vanags says. “I don’t know, I think the human element is still important and I like my waiters and waitresses at Cantina, so I don’t see that necessarily,  but there could be applications in AI that predict what I might order, an Artificial Intelligence application that actually generates the food that I’m going to eat, but there are a lot of costs involved and I think that’s well into the future.”

“The AI Opportunity: Developing an AI Ecosystem in Upstate New York,” a Lunch and Learn session of the city partnering with IgniteU NY, will be held noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24 at the Saratoga City Center. Lunch will be provided. Panelists include Bob Bedard, the President and CEO of the software company deFacto Global, Inc., Dr. Craig Skevington, CEO of managed service provider STEADfast IT, and Colin Garvey, a Ph.D. student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) specializing in AI risk governance.

The event is free and open to the public, but it is limited to 100 attendees. For more information, GO HERE.