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TV’s “American Pickers” to Film In New York, Seek Regional “Hidden Treasures”
Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz, and their team return to New York in May when they plan to film episodes of the series American Pickers throughout the region.
The documentary series explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on the History Channel and follows pickers Mike and Frank as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques.
American Pickers is looking for leads to explore regional hidden treasures.
From the show’s casting associate producer: If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better part of the day looking through, send us your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 855-OLD-RUST.
Pete Seeger Centennial Celebration to feature Live Concert and Regional Events
The Egg celebrates the Pete Seeger Centennial with a concert on Thursday, May 23 at 7 PM and a series of related events in various Capital Region cultural centers May 3- 5, as part of its “New York Living Legacy” series.
Additional events will include multiple venues in Saratoga Springs, including Caffe Lena, and the Saratoga Springs Public Library.
Seeger’s career as a musician was highlighted by popular success with the group The Weavers and songs such as “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” “Turn, Turn, Turn” and “If I Had a Hammer”; Grammy Awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award, a National Medal of Arts, induction into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame.
Seeger used his music to further social, humanitarian and environmental causes – most notably in the founding of the Clearwater in an effort to save the Hudson River, and one of his closest musical associates Arlo Guthrie will be joined by artists including Amythyst Kiah, Cary Morin, Dan Zanes & Claudia Eliaza, Dar Williams, David Gonzalez, Guy Davis, Richie Stearns & Rosie Newton, Taina Asili, Tony Trischka, Toshi Reagon and Bill & Livia Vanaver - that are keeping his message alive for an evening of music, dance and poetry inspired by Pete Seeger in celebration of his centennial.
Net proceeds from the concert will benefit Clearwater, Caffe Lena and WAMC Public Radio.
Tickets are $40, $35 and $25 and currently available to members of The Egg at The Egg Box Office at the Empire State Plaza and by telephone – 518-473-1845.
In advance of the concert, The Egg will present the program “Wasn’t That a Time” featuring music writer Jesse Jarnow in a number of venues on May 3, 4 and 5. Mr. Jarnow will explore the life of Pete Seeger, focusing on the research done for his 2018 book “Wasn’t That a Time: The Weavers, the Blacklist, and the Battle for the American Soul.” Live music will be performed by banjoist Richie Stearns - who performed with or for Seeger on numerous occasions. The multi-media program will be enhanced by photo projections as well as recorded music by Pete Seeger and the Weavers.
Additional events – these are free and open to the public:
FRIDAY, MAY 3 - Noon: Caffe Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs; 7 PM: Crandall Public Library, 251 Glen Street, Glens Falls.
SATURDAY, MAY 4: 11 AM: Guilderland Public Library, 2228 Western Ave, Guilderland; 1 PM: Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave, Delmar; 3:30 PM: Clifton Park – Half Moon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park; 7 PM: Sanctuary for Independent Media, 3361 6th Avenue, Troy.
SUNDAY, MAY 5: 12:30 PM: Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St, Saratoga Springs; 3 PM: Voorheesville Public Library, 51 School Rd, Voorheesville.
City Dems, Republicans Endorses Their Candidates for June Primary, November Elections
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Primaries will take place June 25, and the General Election on Nov. 5. All five City Council seats and both city Supervisor seats are up for election this year.
The Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee endorsed all four Democratic incumbents running for re-election: Meg Kelly, Mayor; Michele Madigan, Finance Commissioner; John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts; and Tara Gaston, County Supervisor.
The SSDC also voted to endorse one of its members, Dillon Moran, for Commissioner of Public Works. “Dillon’s engineering education, business background and close study of the City’s infrastructure and operations all form a solid basis for our support,” SSDC Chair Courtney DeLeonardis said, in a statement.
For Public Safety Commissioner, where the Democratic incumbent is not seeking re-election, the Committee decided not to endorse at this time.
“We heard from two strong, well-qualified candidates – Eileen Finneran and Kendall Hicks -- who each impressed Committee members,” DeLeonardis said. “Both individuals have a lot to offer the City. I believe Committee members, along with other supporters, will help both candidates qualify for the primary election in June, when voters will decide who runs for Public Safety Commissioner on the Democratic line in the fall.”
The Saratoga Springs City Republican Committee endorsed four candidates at their meeting Feb. 26.
Anthony “Skip” Scirocco received the committee’s endorsement for Commissioner of Public Works; Robin Dalton received the committee’s endorsement for Commissioner of Public Safety and Matthew Veitch and Stephen Mittler, each received the committee’s endorsement for County Board of Supervisor.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Saratoga Springs Republicans for another term,” said Matt Veitch, a current member of the County Board of Supervisors. “I look forward to campaigning on my record of public service and representing the residents of our city at the county level. Keeping the County on a continued path of low taxes, efficient government, and maintaining our great quality of life are my priorities for the upcoming year."
City Dems Endorse Five Candidates, Public Safety Primary: GOP Meets Tuesday Night
SARATOGA SPRINGS - The Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee announced its
candidate endorsements for city office in 2019.
The SSDC endorsed all four Democratic incumbents running for re-election: Meg Kelly, Mayor; Michele Madigan, Finance Commissioner; John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts; and Tara Gaston, County Supervisor.
The SSDC also voted to endorse one of its members, Dillon Moran, for Commissioner of Public Works. “Dillon’s engineering education, business background and close study of the City’s infrastructure and operations all form a solid basis for our support,” SSDC Chair Courtney DeLeonardis said, in a statement.
For Public Safety Commissioner, where the Democratic incumbent is not seeking re-election, the Committee decided not to endorse at this time.
“We heard from two strong, well-qualified candidates – Eileen Finneran and Kendall Hicks -- who each impressed Committee members,” DeLeonardis said. “Both individuals have a lot to offer the City. I believe Committee members, along with other supporters, will help both candidates qualify for the primary election in June, when voters will decide who runs for Public Safety Commissioner on the Democratic line in the fall.”
City Republicans will meet Tuesday and subsequently announce their endorsements for 2019, GOP chair Matt Hogan said Monday.
Primaries will take place June 25, and the General Election on Nov. 5. All five City Council seats and both city Supervisor seats are up for election this year.
"Dream Big": Japanese Resort Sets Sights on Saratoga
SARATOGA SPRINGS – An international resort company with a stated mission to “dream big” is eyeing the Spa City as a place to potentially develop its latest luxury hotel.
Hoshino Resorts, which operates 37 facilities both in and outside Japan, operates four distinct brands: luxury flagships, hot spring resorts, resort hotels, and city tourism hotels, featuring venues which vary from countrified mountainside resorts to the heart of big-city Tokyo. The company entered into a Memorandum of Agreement of Sale in September as purchaser regarding two parcels of land totaling nearly 87 acres, located just south of Saratoga Spa State Park. A “deed agreement” was filed with the Saratoga County Clerk’s Office on Oct. 3.
According to the company’s literature, Hoshino Resorts provides “a unique experience focused on the local charms of each destination and a high level of omotenashi Japanese-style hospitality.”
Hoshino Resorts was first established as a traditional Japanese inn in 1914. Today, the hotel management company is run by 4th-generation family member Yoshiharu Hoshino.
The company was formerly known as Hoshino Onsen Co., Ltd. and changed its name to Hoshino Resorts Inc. in 1995, and is based in Kitasaku, Japan, according to Bloomberg.com. An Albany-based attorney representing Hoshino Resorts did not return a phone message requesting information for this story.
The memorandum of agreement notes two specific parcels: 6.88 acres at Route 9 and Columbia Avenue, and 79.34 acres at 38 Columbia Avenue. The lands are located in a mostly wooded area, just south of the Saratoga Spa State Park and East West Road, just off Route 9. According to the document, the closing and transfer of title is slated to potentially take place within 30 days of the end of the due diligence period, specified as Nov. 1, 2020. Hoshino has the exclusive right to purchase the properties under the agreement.
Specific plans for the type of development under consideration for development in Saratoga Springs are not known.
Bradley Birge, the city’s administrator of planning and economic development, said formal applications that would signal the potential start of a project – such as a building permit - have yet to be filed with any of the city’s Land Use boards. Salomone and Company – a limited liability company with offices in New York City, is listed as the “seller” of the properties, according to the memorandum of agreement of sale.
Steven Salomone, whose grandfather Saverio Salomone purchased the property in the 1940s, was unable to confirm or deny anything relative to a potential transaction. He does remember visiting the property as a young man.
“When I was kid, we would go up there every summer,” recalled Steven Salomone, who is 64 years old. “I remember the State Park being next door. That was exciting to us. There is a small pond or lake on the property towards the back and when it would freeze, Saverio would go out and chop the ice and sell it. He was apparently running a pretty good business doing that,” Salomone says, with a laugh. “Back in the day people were still using ice boxes up there. I think they used to call it the Ice Lake.”
In 1949, Saverio was granted Zoning Board approval to erect six cabins off Columbia Ave., according to city records.
“Buying land in Saratoga to my grandfather, it was like buying farmland,” Salomone says. “You know he was an Italian immigrant and owning land was something that was important; having land in the county was important to them. My grandfather and grandmother also put a small hotel up – not a hotel by today’s standards, but they had rooms they would rent out. It was called the Salomone Motel and when the racetrack was busy and people were looking to rent anything that was possible, we used to have people stay in the rooms.”
As the grandparents got older, the property was used less frequently. The bungalows eventually came down and a main house, which had been rented out, has been dormant for the past handful of years, Salomone says.
Springtime Score at Caffe Lena Features Appearances by Steve Katz, Sawyer Fredericks, Eric Andersen, Robyn Hitchcock
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Caffe Lena powers up in the springtime with a series of major upcoming shows.
Steve Katz, who studied guitar as a teen with Dave Van Ronk and Reverend Gary Davis, was an original member of The Blues Project (their last major gig: the Monterey Pop Festival), a founding member of Blood, Sweat & Tears, and produced the mid-70’s Lou Reed albums “Rock & Roll Animal,” and “Sally Can’t Dance, will be in the house April 18 for the Rochmon treatment.
Rochmon aka Chuck Vosganian presents a sound & vision analysis of a different artist every month. The April 18 date marks the first live listening party, and where the event will be accompanied by Steve Katz himself. General admission tix: $25.
Robyn Hitchcock, famously of The Soft Boys and a pretty prominent solo career, brings his folky, wry British nihilist psychedelium to the café April 14. General admission tix: $32.
Eric Andersen - accompanied by the fab Scarlet Rivera on violin and Cheryl Prashker on percussion, returns to Lena’s April 7. General admission tix: $35.
Singer-songwriter Sawyer Fredericks performs a three-night stand, Friday, May 24 – Sunday, May 26. General admission tix: $45. Meet & Greet: $65.
In early May, Caffe Lena will also play a role in a three-day event in the Capital Region celebrating Pete Seeger.
Other Voices in Other Rooms: Laurie Anderson is slated to be in the Spa City in April, and we’re hearing Chuck Mangione will be in the city in June.
Member of Skidmore Class Wins Grammy
Emily Lazar, a member of the Skidmore College Class of 1993, earlier this month won a Grammy for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for her engineering work on Beck's "Colors" album. She is the first woman to win in the category, according to the college.
As president and chief mastering engineer of The Lodge, which she started in 1997, Lazar has worked with a range of groundbreaking music from platinum-selling artists such as David Bowie, Lou Reed, Destiny's Child, The Raveonettes, Madonna, Saratoga Springs' own The Figgs, Missy Elliot, Sonic Youth, The Donnas and Ian Hunter, to name a few. She has also mastered original sound tracks for feature films including "Training Day" and "Boys Don't Cry" and TV series such as "Six Feet Under."
After studio internships, jobs and a master's in music technology from New York University, Lazar opened up her own space, Lazar told CNBC, after accepting her award.
Lazar was previously nominated in 2014 for the Foo Fighters' "Wasting Light," which was up for Album of the Year, and for Record of the Year for Sia's hit "Chandelier” in 2014. In 2016, she was nominated for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for her work on the album "Recreational Love" by American indie pop duo The Bird and the Bee. Lazar completed a major in English and a minor in music at Skidmore.
Racing's Big Bet: 7-Week Season
SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Saratoga racing season, which typically runs from late July until Labor Day weekend will be extended by an additional week this summer.
The New York Racing Association has set this year’s opening day as Thursday, July 11 - eight days before its previously assumed opening date of July 19.
The extending of the summer meet by eight calendar days will not translate to additional races, however, maintaining its 40-Saratoga-racing-days status quo. Previously, races had been staged six days per week with Tuesdays being a no-race or “dark” day. The lengthier 2019 calendar season, should it be approved, will be compensated for by the addition of no-race Mondays - with the exception of Labor Day - resulting in five days of races per week. The meet will conclude on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2.
The ramifications for both year-round residents and summer visitors could be huge.
The earlier start in 2019 will overlap with a pair of perennially busy weekend dates by Dave Matthews Band at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on July 12-13, as well as the summer staging by the New York City Ballet at SPAC July 16-20. Elizabeth Sobol, president & CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center, said having the track open a week earlier gives us the opportunity to cross-promote the New York City Ballet summer residency at SPAC.
City Finance Michele Madigan Commissioner says the summer racing season is among the largest drivers regarding sales tax for the local economy and that despite losing one racing day per week, the addition of a week could be a boost for the local economy.
"We will work with NYRA to ensure the safety of our horses and riders and to do all we can to protect the thousands of jobs in our backstretch community as we navigate this challenging time,” NYTHA President Joe Appelbaum said in a statement. “NYTHA supports the interim solution NYRA has worked out for summer racing dates. While it presents certain complications, we all get to spend five extra days a year in Saratoga - which is always good for the soul."
"The new schedule will bring both anticipated and unanticipated benefits to our summer racing season, and we will use the City's resources to make it even more successful than ever,” added city Mayor Meg Kelly.
The schedule change is related to the upcoming construction of a new hockey arena, which would shorten the length of the racing season at NYRA’s Belmont Park.
In December 2017, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the New York Islanders hockey team and their partnership group were selected as winning bidders of a state issued Request for Proposals aimed at strengthening Belmont Park as a world-class sports and entertainment destination. The goal is to construct an arena by the start of the 2021 hockey season. It is unclear whether that would subsequently translate to an additional extended Saratoga season in 2020 and/or 2021.
The construction timeline indicates work on the new arena at Belmont Park could begin as early as the second quarter of 2019, leading to potential disruption during morning training and afternoon racing. The Belmont Park spring/summer meet will feature a revised 48-day calendar to commence on Friday, April 26 and run through Sunday, July 7.
The new year has brought an unsettling start to 2019 for the New York Racing Association. President and CEO Chris Kay resigned his position in January. According to published reports, Kay allegedly used employees to conduct work at his Saratoga Springs home, and last week it was announced a 25-year partnership between NYRA and Saratoga Race Course food services provider Centerplate will not be renewed. The end of the contract will leave hundreds of people at the Saratoga Race Course without jobs, according to the independent news and information platform Patch.com. It is not known whether a yet-to-be-named new vendor to manage food and beverage concessions will hire those who were previously employed at the racecourse.
Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, says the county’s tourism promotion agency will “pull out all the stops to bring as many people here as possible. I think the hospitality sector likes the idea of an extra weekend and many of the folks in the horse racing industry like the idea of two (dark) days for a variety of reasons,” Shimkus said. “We’ve also heard from residents who are not necessarily thrilled with the idea of having their meet extended and their city taken over by visitors - but from an economic perspective this extra weekend helps us attract even more people who shop and dine and stay here; The hospitality sector is going to be able to grow.”
Ariane Fuller is the owner/real estate broker at Racing City Realty – in its 17th year of serving the track rental needs for both homeowners and renters
“I do believe the extra days will be a boost for the community with more time to explore all that Saratoga Springs and the surrounding areas have to offer. Overall, the consensus seems to be that homeowners are excited at the opportunity to rent an additional week. We will make adjustments as needed. We will take this in stride - my goal is to work hard and make this transition a smooth process for both homeowners and renters.”
A decade ago, the length of the Saratoga season was extended from 36 race days to 40. The Spa staged its first organized thoroughbred racing meet in 1863, which took place over four days in August, as Saratoga began to earn its nickname as “the August place to be.” A century after its founding, the meet was extended to 24 days, then to 30 days by the 1990s.
The 2019 spring/summer racing calendar at Saratoga will be highlighted by the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 8; the Grade 1 Whitney on Saturday, Aug. 3; and the 150th anniversary running of the Grade 1 Runhappy Travers on Saturday, Aug. 24.
Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Safety Peter Martin Will Not to Seek Re-Election
SARATOGA SPRINGS - Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Safety Peter Martin announced today that he will not seek re-election for a new term starting in 2020.
“I would like to pursue opportunities outside of my role as Commissioner of Public Safety," said Martin, in a statement. "During this past year, I have treated the time and energy commitment of this position as a full time job. I believe that it would not be fair to the people of Saratoga Springs to treat it as anything less. Therefore, I have made the decision not to seek re-election as Commissioner of Public Safety for a new term commencing in January 2020.
“I will forever be grateful to the people of Saratoga Springs and to our Public Safety Department staff. I have enjoyed working with the dedicated and talented employees at city hall. I do not make this decision lightly. It comes after several weeks of difficult and personal reflection. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the City as your Commissioner of Public Safety," Martin said.
“Over the past year, we have accomplished much – and there remains a great deal more yet to do. As I said, this job is a full time position, and I intend to remain a full time Commissioner for the rest of this year. I believe that working in cooperation with other members of the City Council, we can accomplish some great things over the remainder of this year."
In November, elections will be held for all five City Council member seats, including mayor.
George Benson, Norah Jones, Trombone Shorty Headline Two-Days Saratoga Jazz Fest in June
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.
